The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1858-02-24
iccNTINuED.)

take hold OF subjects and act IN practl-
cal manner, to effectuate the most good
in constitutional and legal way. From
al the investigation 1 have given to this
subject, am satisfied that the good of
Kansas, the good, the peace, the prosper
ity of the whole Union will be affected
more or less by the decision that we make
on this Kansas question. If Congress
keeps it open, if excitement Is still to
spread through the land, if a system of
warfare is to be gottensup plupging the
land in gloom, aud perhaps reaching to
the extreme of shedding human blood, the
consequences will be on those who reopen
the slave question, the Kansas question,
the squatter sovereignty question, or any
other question connected with the we'll
being of Kansas. If there be any ques
tion that can be fairly decided in Kansas,
it is the slave question. l believe that
it will be fairly decided there. | believe
the constitution meets the appreciation of
a msjerity of the people of Kansas. In
regard to that, l have no question or
doubt, and my belief, founded on the slight
sources of iufcrmation [ possess, is at
least to be treated ss set off to the fear
of fraud, and to the allegation of improp-
er influences, on the part Of the people of
Kansas, As alleged by tho Senator from
Illinois
Mr.. President. have thus given my
views of this subject l have elaborated
no single point. 1t has been my purpose
simply to show that there is no obstscle
in the way, and that there are consdera-
tions why, in conformity with the past
action of the country, We should admit
Kansas at once. 1 believe she has acted
as fairly as any other Territory. | have
stated the reason Why l have given my
view of the case. Whether the constitu-
ton will come up in the one shape or the
other, is a subject about which l have no
right to express an opinion Whether it
will come up at all, or not, am not able.
to say, though l spprehend it viii. I
have only felt houndsto meet the objec-
tions urged by the Senator, because |
thought they would have prejudicial eff
feet In Kansas, where an election is to be
held on the Fst of this month 1t is treu
iittie tisat ] ean say ofE fiitfe fhat 0fners
can say, will reac Kansas before the elec
ticu; hut, at least, both sides ought to be
partially beari-hesrd enough, at leaet.
10. compare them togei her and see which
is Ia conformity with the Federal Copsti
ution. aud which is in conformity with
the lsw, which Is iH conformity with the
practice Of the Government Whether |
bsve succeeded IN showing hat the po.
sition | take Is correct, is, OF course, for
otIters to deserIniue.
Mr BiGLER obtained the floor
NJ. DOUGLAS. 1 srust | shah be
permitted TO say asfew words in explan,
tion.
Mr. BIGLER. I shall most cheerfully
yield floor to the Senator from Illinois,
after a very few rema ks. Ny object is
to take the foer-not to spesk day,
but move the postponement of this sub
ject until Moudsy, unless some other SEN
ator desires to speak tosmorrow
Mr.. DOUGLAS. / will make the mo-
tion in the Senator'S name, with that un-
derstanding
Mr.. BiGLER. That is satisfactory.
Mr. IOUGLAS. Mr.. President,
have listened to the Senator from Missouri
Mr.. GREEN with uufeigned pleasure
There has been fairness in his tone and |
in is line of argument which shows that
be has been arguing from his convictions,
with the view of stating what he conceives
TO be the true, sound aspect of this qpes-
tion. 1t is gratifying to me to hear the
subject discussed in that spirit and tone
before the Senate. | but do the Senator
ustice wien | say that he mas presented
jhe question with marked ability and I
elearness; and I am inclined to think
that the best view of the subject has heen
presented to-day which We shall have from
the Senator's side
| should not utter word, but for the
fact that the Senator has misapprehended
my meaning aud my position on one or
two points, and / deem it due to myself /
to restate my views on those points, in
order that he, the Senate. and the coun
try, may see what the true position is. /
acquit him of any intention to misstate;
there was only miscoDception This
may have been occasioned by my own
fault, as l spoke rapidly, without prepara-
tion, and had no opportunity to revise
the report of my speech. The Senator is
under misapprebension in supposing that
| have assumed it to be fatal objection
to the admission of State iuto this Union
that there was no enabling act giving the
Congress iu advance to the for
nartion of constitution. l took no such
position.
The Senator is. also mistaken in sup:
posing that | took the ground that it was
a fatal objection that the constitution
vas not submitted 10 the people be
'ore being sent to Congress for acceptance.
did not assume that position. My
yrouud was this: the regular mode of
preceding is By an enabling act, and if
The Territorist Legislature proceed to call
! convention without first having the as
'ent of Congress TO do so, it Is irregular,
1ut not SO Irregular that it necessarily
oiiows their constitution ca8not b.. accept
ID. l argued aud cited the opinion of
he Attorhey General in the Arkansas
,ase, to show that. although convention
'ai.ed BY Territorial Legislature with
'ut the previous assent of Congress, was
yet it was not an unlawful as
'emblsge, but was body of men having
right to petition under the Constitution
If the United States, and that having
,een assembled in convention, more force
ought TO be given to the mode of assem- |