The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-02-25

The pending question being the motion to re-
fer the Presidents message and the Lecomp-
ton Constitution to the Committee on Terrific
ries, Mr.. WILSON moved to amend the motion by
adding:
"And that the committee be instructed ascertain the
number of votes given al each county in the Territory
upon the question of calling Convention 10 form Con-
sttuon; 10 inquire into the appointment of delegates
the Convention, and the census and registration under
which the same was made and whether the same was in
compliance with law the number of for each
candidate for delegate to the Convention, and the places
where cast, aud whether said Constitution received the
majority of the delegates said Conve
the number OF votes cast in SAID Territory the 2st Of
December last for and against said Constitution, and
and against any thereof and the number
each place of voting; the number of votes the
4th day of January last for and against said Constu-
ton, and the number each place OF vong
number the 4th day of January la
any State and legislative officers thereof and the humble
for each candidate for such Offices, and the
places where cast and that said committee also ascertain,
nearly possible, what porto If any, OF the votes
any OF the times and places aforesaid fraud
uent Illegal and that said committee have power
send for persons and papers"
Mr.. WILSON. This application, Mr.. Presi-
dent, for the admission of Kansas into this
sisterhood of free Commonwealth, comes to US
under circumstances that demand the prompt,
thorough, and full investigation Of the Senate
and of the House Of Representatives. Charges
have been made by the people of Kansas, by
Government officials in Kansas, of illegaliiies
and frauds-illegalities and frauds which have
deprived the people of that Territory of their
rights, and defeated their will. These reports
have gone over the country, over the Christian
and civilized world, bringing dishonor and
shame upon free democratic institutions.
Under these circumstances, Sir, take it that
every Senator, every member Of Congress, eve.
~ fair.minded and honorable man throughout
the Republic, desires, before we vote to bring
Kansas int the Union or to reject her apDlica.
ton, that all the facts connected with the calling
of the Convention to frame Constitution, the
election of delegates, the framing of the Const.
tuition, the mode of submission to the people, the
election under the Constitution, and all the
questions concerning the rights and the interests
of the people of the Territory, shall be fully In
vestigated. To accomplish this object, which
every honorable gentleman in America must
desire, have submitted the motion that the
Committee on Territories be instructed to make
this investigation, and that they have p1wer to
send for persons and papers.
indulge the hope, Mr.. President, that every
Senator on this floor will promptly vote for
these instructions, and that the Committee oil
Territories will make the most scare hing,
thorough. aud complete investigation into this
whole subject and if there be frauds, if there
be wrongs if there be anything in the action
of that Territory which battles the popular will,
which robs the people of their rights, that the
facts will be presented to the Senate and to the
country, and that we shall be guided by the
simple idea of ascertaining the real will of the
people of the Territory of Kansas, and letting
that will control our action.
Before I sit down, sir, wish to call the at.
tention of the Senate to some of the illusions.
assumptions, and declarations, of the President,