The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1858-03-24
ua sa;J tho staternent that nipeteen

cOuQLlcS Wtrc ulslIuuCllsCu III hbncds
was meant TO deceive. those counties were a
wilderness, without inhabitants. He de-
Tended the legality Of the carly steps in the
formation Of the Lccompton Constitution
He denied the assertions of the Senator from
Vermont that there were broken pledges on
the part Of Walker and the President
Everybody knows Walker was in favor Of
to the people; he advocated it
but had no power to pledge it. The Senator
from Illinois says the only reason they did
not submit the whole Constitution was be-
cause it was said it would be voted down.
Who said 50, no one hut the Senators from
Illinois and from Michigan. The great
question Is, does the Constitution embody
the will of the PEOPLE legally expressed the
rules Of evidence are the same in equity and
law, we cannot take flying rrmors and opin-
ions of Governors as evidence. That is
fraught with a danger that il carried to its
ultimation, would bring bristling bayoDets
and cannons pointed ut the walls Of the
Capitol, and substitute Of q mob for the
forms of law. All the legal forms having
been complied with in completing the Le-
compton Constitution it was completed fact
and the people had no right to vote whether
or not it was a Constitution.
Green eortinued to analyze the reputed
frauds, admitting that frauds did exist, but
none to vitiate the Constitution. Further
than this no legal evidence exists to show
that this Lecempton Constitution docs not
embody the will of the people, ard IL We go
beyond the legal evidence We strike at the
very principles Of liberty. He admitted that
the Senators from Illinois, Michigan, Cali
fornia, and Kentucky, were not influenced in
their acts by the existency or inconsistency
of slavery. But they were assisting to build
up a party, dangerous to the Union, and
whose fundamental principles justly enunci-
ated is, that no more slave States are to be
admitted. Had it not been for these, Kan
sas, weeks since, would have been young
sister i'm the confederation Of States. Among
other things, he said Black Republicanism
was crushing out true Democracy in its
course, and would never meet its barrier, till
it mee.s the cannon of the South. He con
cludcd, by expressing his ardent aspirations
for the consolidation and permanency of the
Democratic party. 1t is Of no Importance
that General Calhoun has given certificates
to the free State party. The principles in
volved is one Of vital interest to the South
and the North. For both are 50 interviewer,
it cannot be severed, without injury to both.
Green then referred TO the statement OF
Douglas that the Constitution can only be
changed before 1864, by the exercise Of a
revolutionary right. This is not so. New
York, and other States had done it and the
provision WAS inserted.
a similar Interpretation in the Kansas bill
Of rights. The people must have that right
to change the Constitution in a legal way,
otherwise they could not regulate their affairs
hut would be bound by preceding genera
ton. In summing up, he said he would not
appeal to Americans to build up the Demo-
cratic party, but he would ask them to help
TO break down the only party dangerous TO
both.
Crlttendcn, Of KY, said he did not reopen
the debate, but would make an explana-
ton, that his statements were made on off,
cial records, not on conversations of Govern
ors of Kansas. Thank God: he could distin-
guish right from wrong, and had the courage
to say so. He followed conviction-not
party. 1t was Kentucky maxim, "be just
and fear not" 1t was also his. lie believed
his course was best for the North and South.
lie said he had never used the words, that he
had arrayed himself on the side Of the North
ern Democrats. lie wished neither to build
up nor break down any party. He made af-
fectionate reference to his compatriots of the
Senate. when the Senate was great, and in
cluded among its members, Clay, Calhoun
Webster and Benton. lie professed him
self an American, and his principle to pro-
tect the ballot box as the only instrument by
which the people can exercise their sover-
eighty.
When Crittendcn concluded, Green, with
OUT further remarks moved three amend
ments.
Green withdrew the Minnesota bill alto
gether, and moved three amendments to the
original bill:
following; Whereas, the people of the Ter
! ritory Of Kansas did, by Convention of del
egates called and assembled. ut Lecomptor
on the 9th of September, 1857, formed fol
themselves q Constitution and State gov
eminent, which said Convention, havins
asked admission of the Territory into tn
Union as State on equal footing with tho
original States, &c. Carried.
Secondly, to amend the ID section, by in
sorting the following clause: that nothing il
this act be construed to abridge or lnfring
any right of the people asserted in the Kan
sas Constitution to alter, reform or abolish
their form of government, in such name
AS they may think proper; Congress hereb,
| disclaiming, any authority to intervent o
declare u construction of the Constitution
except to see that it is republican in form
and not in conflict with the Constitution o
the United States.
The amendment was agreed to-yeas 8
nays 90.
Thirdly, q verbal amendment in the lit
line, Sd section of the bill. to cancel the wor,
"of in the sentence in the ordinance of sal,
Constitution and substitute therefor tn
words annexed to-" making it read in ordi
nance, annexed to said Constitution Car
ried.
Mr.. Green accepted the suggestion of an
other verbal alteration.
The bill as amended, to admit Kansas int
the Union, with the Lecompton Constitution
was then put and passed-yeas SO. nays IS.
Vote on tho X ansas Constitution.