The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1858-02-26
Congressional.
WAsHINaroS, Feb. 18.

the Committee Of the Whole On the
Indian Appropriation Bill. |
Mr.. Shorter spoke on the Kansas
question. He said that all the South.
ern States were now united on the
Georgia platform: and were pledged
to resist, even to the dissolution Of
the Union, the refusal Of Congress to
admit Kansas, because Of the exis.
tance Of slavery there. He cared
not whether this was q constitutional
or q revolutionary act OF the South,
be was prepared 10 defend 1t. He
commended that the Lecompton Con.
stitution was legally adopted. II
vas republican. in form, and Con.
Erssa has not she powerto TO reiua"i
Kansas 10 her territorial condition,
she being an independent sovereign
State by the consent Of Congress.
a DIsUNioN SPEECH.
Mr.. Shorter, OF Alabama, express.
ed surprise that Mr.. Douglas had
abandoned the principles OF the Ne
brasks bill, fleeing before the first
gun had been fired, and, like Par.
THAN, throwing his poisoned arrovs
behind him. He did not want the
votes OF Mr.. Douglas and his follow.
ers. II they did not reflect the North.
ern opinion, the sooner the South
knew this the better. He contended
that it was never designed to make
Kansas slave State.
Five Governors sent there were
all Free Soilers, including the trai.
tor Walker. 1t has been said that
the admission Of Kansas would light
the flames of civil war; il 80, let it
come.-let the fires rise even heaven
high. But he thought the refusal to
admit her would rather engender
civil war; referring the question
back to the people would inev. .tably
invite this result. The South can.
not remain in the Union On Unequal.
ity with the North. In such cir
cumstances the Southerners would
not be a brave and gallant People,
but mere csptives. chained 10 the
victorious car of the North. lie
would rather be q vassal OF the old
than the New England.
The word Compromise was Often
sive to him. He would make it a
penal oifense for Southerner to use
it. IL was suggestive to his mind,
OF O surrender to base submission. -
It sounded, in the language Of
McDutfie, like "the bugle blast Of
robber band"
Mr. Shorter continued in a simi.
lar strain, closing by saying that the
religion of Plymouth Rock is one OF
intolerArce, biystry and fsBsticism.
The Northern clergynen violated
tho seventh Commandment after
their evening lectures, and when
their crimes were exposed, they were
courted and icted by the fair sex.
Mr.. Tompkins OF Ohio, made
speech in opposition to the Lecoinp.
ton Constitution. He would not in.
qnire whether it met with lhe sane
ton Of the people. The time was
when he would feel justified in yot.
ing for the admission OF a slave
State south Of SO min. 80 deg; that
was before the repeal Of the Missouri
Compromise. That repeal had re.
moved all national obligations. .leav.
ing him free to vote as his con.
science dictates.
Mr.. Clemen of Virginia argued
the legality Of the Lecompton Con.
stitution, contending that it WAS not
necessary to submit 1t for the ap.
proval of the people. The Presi.
dent had performed bis duty fearless.
ly and maniully.
Mr.. Burroughs Of New York, got
the floor and the House adjourned.
SsNAre.-Mr. Green, from the
Committee on Territories, reported
a bill for the admission Of Kansas,
submitting long report, which WAS
not read. Messrs. Douglas and
Collamer also submitted minority
reports, which were severally ORDER
ed to be printed.
Mr.. Greene gave notice that he
should at on early day bring the
matter up.
The consideration Of the Army
Bill was then resumed. The fourth
section of the original bill was struck
out. Yeas, "a; nays 90.
Mr.. Wilson's amendment that the
reduction at the end OF two years
shall not operate on any officer in
commission at the date Of the ap.
proval OF this act, was adopted.
Mr.. Iverson cohten led that the
bill reported by the Military Com.
mittee was more in accordance with
the views olthe Administration, than
Mr.. Johnson's.
Volunteers were always more ex-
penslve than regulars. lie instanced
o company Of Tennessee volunteers
at Cerro Gorde, that ran at the first
shot. The Tennessee Senator's ar.
gument seemed to defend polygamy.
II the Tennessee volunteers enter.
tanned similar opinions, they should
be the last men to send to Utah, for
instead Of whipping the Mornons
they would more likely join them,
especially II Brigham Young gave
them hall dozen wives apiece.
Er. Hsmlin moved that in no
case shall the force created by this
act continue In service more than
two years. Agreed to.
! A desultory discussion occurred
on the compartive merits Of the diff
I ferent substitutes.