Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-04-30

to exact as q cOnultloO Oi duulosioo, '"N'
State should yield one of her prerogatives IL
after admission she chose to yield II, she
could do 50 freely. as one man might con-
tract with auother.
Mr.. STEPHENS did not intend to misrepre-
sent the gentleman, nor to permit Dim to e.,
cape. The only difference was that this Dill
gave the people their option. but the Crltten-
den amendment fixed it absolutely. This
bill rested strictly upon the principle OF State
rights. This same condition was imposed
upon Louisiana. Michigan, Iowa, and other
States. lie had looked up those presidents
while the gentleman was speaking. lie oc-
cupied no such position rs that OF desiring TO
force constitution upon State against her
will. He maintained that the Lecompton
constitution mbodied the legal and iairly
expressed wi of the people OF Kansas, ana
if the majority Of the people failed to vote
upun il, il was their owD lookout. This bal
made DO point on tha, constitution, but, while
receiving the application under 1t, refused
admission on the assertion OF the right ot
eminent domain. the Senate bill admitted
it on condition that the State should never
exercise the right claimed, and the substitute
only differed in making it condition prece-
dent.
lie cherished the doctrine Of Staterlghts
above all others, and maintained that the
substitute carried out the doctrine much
more than the Crittenden bill. lie would
have voted for the admission of Kansas II
she had Come without slavery, just as readily
AS now, but the Lecom pton Convention had
right to establish slavery "a they had. As
tho gentleman from Maryland bad no ohjec-
ton TO the constitution, nor the manner OF
its adoption, he would be compelled utImate-
lY to WELD the objection be had brought tor
ward with 50 much zeal.
Mr.. DAVIS certainly had no obJectlou to the
subiect-matter of the constitution, but as to
the manner Of its adoption ue held that the
Lscompton Convention was no more than a
party caucus. The Legislature OF a Terrific
ry had 90 power to Gu | a Constitutional! Con-
ventiUn, which had always been held until
this year, even by Mr.. Buchanan hlu,se!I.
Mr.. STEPHENS, asked ii the Legislature
could not pass upon all rightful subjects OF
legislation?
Mr.. DAVIS denied that that was right
full subject They could not pass law to
give power TO q party
Mr.. STEPHENS referred to other conditions
imposed upon new States, 10 Relations to
boundaries tue free navigation Of rivers &c.
Mr.. DAVIS said these matters bad been de-
cided by the Supreme Court to be Inherent
in Congress.
Mr.. Stephens suggested these conditions
might be rejected.
Mr. DAVIS thought there was 40 such case.
Mr.. STEPHENS was satisfied that he bad
got the gentleman where he cI?ected to have
bin. His objection astVunded solely upon
pretence. lie appealed to the House whether
upon such grounds as this they ought longer
tJ keep before them subject which bad so
long INSTRUCTED the puric business. DID
not every consideration of patriotism demand
they should at once remove 1t from their
COUNCILS, quiet the public mind, and 20 on
with the public business? lie was prepared
to defend the bill from beginning to cad, bur
would nos logger detrn the lloa,e.
Mr.. GILMAN, OF Maine, inquired it, in the
opinion OF the gentleman from Georgia, the
LecJmpton constitution ~as by this bill sub
mitted to the people of kans 8.
Mr.. STEPHENS. tell the gentleman
frankly, 1t Is uot