The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-02-18
THE WEEKLY PIONEER AND DEMOCRAT.


pie OF o Territory can cure defects which
must have been fatal in themselves, except
upon the ground which we take in reference
TO Kansas, that the power emmanates from
the people, that no enabling act is necessa-
~, that when the people have acted they
give vitality TO the constitution, and whether
It Il made IN obedience to an enabling act or
not, is OF no consequence and because Of
theae arguments we desire to see these two
States brought in together. | want TO
know whether my honorable friend from
Illinois means TO take the ground that au
enabling act is necessary, aud when the act
has been disrgarled, vote Tor the admission
Of Minnesota, aud then vote 10 exclude Kan
sas because in that case there has been no
enabling act When be does that, wish
him to do altogether, that the two things
may stand in such juxtaposition that the
whole country may see what he has done.
raise no question in reference 10 the en-
abling act, or that the people have disre-
garded ii. think the act was unnecessary.
II ! had known the full tendency Of it, |
should have opposed il on other grounds
than those on which placed my opposition
last year think, when the proper time
comes, ! shall be able 20 demonstrate that
no such act is necessary. The Senator from
Illinois, however, takes different ground.
lie says the act is necessary. Then, say,
admitting his premises, there Il necessity
for obeying the act. What an enabling
act totally disregarded and defects cured az
forwards by a popular vote and admit the
| State; and in the next breath tells us that
Kansas cannot come in because there is no
enabling act for her II there b. such power
in the people OF Minnesota, that they may
not only make constitution without an en-.
abling act, but in violation and total disre-
gard TO il, | shall want to know, at the
proper time why the same rule docs not ap-
| ply TO Kansas
But the Senator from Massachusetts, tells
NJ, a. an argument why we ought TO act AT
once on this subject. that the Legislature
has gone 90. and that the Governor chosen
under this constitution not yet acted on by
! Congress, has been signing laws, and that q
Secretary, whose existence under the consti
tuition has not been recognized, has been
countersigning them should like to inquir,
Of the Senator If these laws are put in forc'
there. Are the laws thus signed by a Gov
ernor unknown to Congress, and unknown
to the President in Territory, enforced il
Minnesota
Mr.. WILSON. I cannot tell If thos,
laws are enforced or not | have heard o
laws, some dozen or twenty, think passed
not by the Territorial Legislature, bat b,
the Legislature elected under the consti,u
ton and signed by the Secretary of th'
Territory, n acting Governor.
Mr. DOUGLAS lie is acting Governor
in absence Of the Governor Of the Terrific
ny. They are signed by him as acting Gov
ernor.
Mr.. BROWN, did not precisely under
stand it. | supposed the Governor electe,
under the new constitution had signed tn
laws.
Mr.. DOUGLAS. No. sir; but the Secre
tary OF the Territory, as acting Governor.
Mr.. BROWN. l did not know Tut tia
you were getting back to days Of Topeka
and that some such man as Gov Robinsol
was signing laws there. All desire to ado
IL in reference to remark uttered by tn,
Senator from New Hampshire. II kansa
Is to be excluded. under the circumstance
mentioned by the Senator from Virginia
he expressed the hope that the number q
States never would exceed ,hirty.one An
! mistaken
Mr.. HALE Yes, sir.
Mr.. BROWN. VIII the Senator repea
what he did say
Mr.. HALE. Yes, sir. I said. that il III
Senator from Virginia was correct 10 on
uouncing that that was to be test, tina
tho admission Of Kansas. under all the oh
jections which exist TO her, was to be mad
the price OF the admission Of any Sta,
from any quarter, il would be great Will
before our numeric al number Of States wou'
exceed thirty-one. That is what said eS
actly.
Mr.. BROWN. That varies it it'll, b
think not great deal. can say howeve
to the Senator from New Hampshire, that
If one rule is to be applied to Kansas. sh
asking admission as slave State, and sh
is TO be excluded on that rule. and then
when the same rule applies to Minnesota
she is admitted Notwithstanding the rule. tn
number Of States never shall exceed thirty
one. II you admit Minnesota and exclud
Kansas standing on the same principle, th
spirit OF our revolutionary fathers il utterl
extinct II the Government can last tor on
short twevemonth. am sure you will no
do it entertain no serious apprcher sio'
that you are about to do it but | do DO
understand this impotence, this exceeding
anxiety TO force Minnesota into the Union
When We know that Kansas will be a>kln.
for admission. as the Senator from Virgins
has already announced, certainly this week
and possibly to morrow, Why tins excesdius
haste TO put Minnesota ahead! DO Repub
lean Senators hope to have two Senator
on this door to all them in the exclusion .
Kansas. Is that what they are driving al
II il be. trust ,her, Is a trtnness and d.
ei,ion on this side Of the Iiosse that vii
rrsis, 10 the bitter end the eousamma,iou o
any such design
| know nothing Of the views Of tie tw,
2 L. 4 l. Il 4