The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-04-10

should still be protected AGAINST their own wrongful ois-
son am free To say, Mr. Chairman, that should iee
reluctant TO participate in any act that would infct
wrong upon the citizens of Kansas and would not do it
knowingly Il would not vote for measure that be
eved would iasten upon thcm permanent constitution
that could not be altered amended but, sir can see
wrong in giving them republican constitution and
comforting upon Kansas the powers Of sovereign State
have examined the provisions of that constitution and
find il democratic that OF other States The follow
ine, liberal provision is in the bill of rights
political power people, all
founded their authority and instituted for their benefit
and therefore tAy haze a s tiA az nelisadse and snaas.
ner as they may think proper"
This is full reservation of power by the people except
far its exercise is restricted by the constitution
Taking the position have that an alteration OF such an
instrument only be effected by Legislative action except
in case of rcyolution and believing with the late Ia
menea Webster the great exponnder of constitutional
law 'that single constitution has been gotten up
by meetings !" that "there must be some mode of
asccrainng the public will somehow and somcwhere
and if not II Is government OF tho strongest and
most numerous only recognise the right OF the
people Kansas to change their constitution in the
ncr prescribed thereby If Kansas is admitted under the
Lecompton constitution, 1t be altered and, IL 30,
when 1t provides for change as follows
IA After the 1854 whenever the legislature shall think
necessary amend ner change this constitution they shall
recommend the electors at tho next general election thirds
convenon shall appear majority all citizens OF the
have voted conventions the Legislature shall at its next
regular session call a convention" &o
1t seems to me that this section and give it my
opinion only takes effect in future and that until 1864
there is restriction that prevent prior alteration
shall not occupy the attention of the committee in cu
cdang this point has already been ably done, and
| especially by my friend the honorable member from
Pcnnsy yvania Mr. PnLLIrs presume it will not be
disputed that ii Congress State Legislature pass law
to take effect and after such day. (nared) after
such time it cannot take effect, or become operative,
until the period designated has expired The rule
would apply to constitutional provision. The Topeka
| constitution has the following
ssc a
be called and no amendment 70 the constitution shall be- by the gen
a assembly made before the year 1865 more than once in FIVE
4 years thcreaiter'
This contains restraint or restriction that would be-
| come Immediately operative.
The State of New York illustrates in her action the effect
of both provisions. The constitution Of that State OF l777
contained provision for its amendment The legisla
tuo in 1921 passed law submitting to the people the pro-
prety oamendng constitution They responded in the
Affirmative The convention which assembled instead Of
amending the old one, framed constitution, which
accepted The thus formed contained clause
directing the mode of changing it, In 1896 contrary to
the restriction, the people, through the Legislature called
another convention and formed the existing consttu
! tion.
/ Mr. Chairman no serious objections arc urged, i be-
eyo against any other part of this constitution except
the slavery provision, point raised except to the
provision relating to amendment. 1t may be said to
have been recognised in solemn form by tho whole poo
pie of that Territory for, after the constitution
framed election ordered and held under it's pro-
visions for the election of State officers and the legisla
tuc In law this is estoppel, and amounts to
| sent.
Suppose sir that instrument could not be altered be-
fore 1864 what injury would result thereby to the party
that desire it to be free Slater None 1t is conceded
that there in Kansas but about hundred and
sixty slaves With supposed State majority In the
Territory with climate and soil adverse to the permanent
existence Of slavery do not believe that southern gen
tiemen would desire to take their slaves there that the
present number would not be greatly increased before the
people could amend their constitution The public well
fare the repose of the nation and indeed every consd
Grafton that influence the patriot and lover Of his
country demand that this subject should be promptly dis
missed from the halls of Congress Kansas admitted and
the people of that Territory will then adjust their
internal affairs, peace bo restored, more natural and
hcathful flow Of immigration than that sent forward by
the Emgrant Aid Societies will occur peaceful pursuits
be cultivated instead of threatened warlike amscments
If Kansas is not admitted the excitement pervaing
the country will be continued the subject will again be
presented ut the next session Of Congress- impeding all
legislation and perhaps to the following onewith each
protracon the Of angry and embittercd feeling
rolling higher and higher 1t requires prophetic spirit
to foretel the disastrous consequences that may
Mr. Chairman political history presents curious phases
| It shows the members of the opposition party to
have opposed all the leading Of the democratic
party in times gone by, until public sentiment indicated
their adoption part of the public policy of the country,
and after being driven from point to point they sought
shelter under the slavery agitation in which refuge they
remain, pressing it on regardless of consequences to
the Union In the last Congress they were the oppo-
ncnts of non-ntervcnton popular sovereignty, and
in favor of congressional interference and opposed to
enabling act; we find them in favor of cnablin,,
act and in favor of popular sovereignty and what the
next phase will be tomorrow may determine it is not
unlikely that may find them voting for the admission
of slave State They have the warmcst sympathy for
bleeding Kansas and cry fraud, fraud, and charge
high crimes upon the democratic party but they have
for the great city of New York. whose vested rights
ruessly invaded by republican legislature, and
stripped of many of Its chartered privileges to give spoils
and patronage to their adherents have been taught to
believe that "charity begins at home.
Another singular spectacle is prescntedwe find several
honorable members, who fought side by side with in
the great political battle which resulted in the recognition
intervention in local affairs of Territories recently
voting for the appointment of special committee to in
teryene in its worst form in the domestic affairs of
Territory Among the latter find my colleague MN
HAsRIN 1t with feelings of regret and modification
that heard him utter the following language
arriving at the conclusion agalns. admission
ur the Iccomptm constitution, ayc hccn aided
by desire faithfully represent The constituency
and TO fulfil the pledges which made them upon
being honestly my opposition
under the lecompton constitution protested
M k by at least three ourts OF her peopmccts with
the approval OF large majority constituents whose wishes
honor bound 10 obey shall
: | under the Iecompton constitution ss. .ast
The honorable member represents the counties of West
, chester, RocSland, and Putnam. was born on the
banks of the noble Hudson in the county of Weschcs-
ter the traditions of home clustered around and have
been identified with 1t for than century early
life was spent in rambling among the rocks hills and
dales of that beautiful region until they became familiar
household words 1t is classic ground hallowod by the
footsteps of the Father of his Country and his compecrs
the scene of some of the most important events of the
war OF Independence Revolutionary patriots sleep