Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-03-10
Correspondence Ortho New York Herald
STEPHENS REPORT FROM THE SELECT CON-
NuTTEE ON THE LECOMPTON CONSTITUTION.

STEPHENS REPORT FROM THE SELECT CON-
NIITTEE On THE LECOMPTON CONSTITUTION.
WASHINGTON March g.
The select Committee of the House on the appli-
cation Of Kansas for admission into the Union met
this evening, all the members present. A long re-
port presented bg Mr.. Stephens, of Georgia, on
the part Of the majority, going into an elaborate
argument Of the whole question involved, and fully
endorsing the Presidents position and Message.
The report having been read resolution was Of
fered declaring that the investigation of the commit
tee, called for by the resolution of the House. was
confined TO matters on record.
The report treats first of the legitimate objects of
inquiry for the committee under the resolution of
their appointment These are all laws, facts and
proceedings, in relation TO the LecOmpton constu-
ton, bearing upon the question or prUprety Of the
admission OF Kansas under it. These, in the opinion
Of the committee, embrace
First-The law taking a sense of the people upon
the expediency of calling convention.
SeCOnd-Ihe law providing for the call Of a
ventiOn in pursuance Of the popular will expressed
Ihird-Ihe registration Of voters and the app0r-
tionment Of delegates made by Secretary Stanton.
FOurlh-Ihe assemblags Of the convention at
LegOmPton and their action in submitting the slavery
question, the only one in controversy, TO The people
Ffth-The constitution formed by the convention
so assembled
SiEth-The action Of the people the questions
in it submitted 20 vote on the Dist of December.
These are all the essential facts embraced in the
call. Perfect legality and regularity mark every
step Of the proceedings. Why should not the state
be admitted asks the report.
The report then takes up and answers the 0bjec-
tons which DO not arise the face Of the record
No Constitution can be valid which is not first rati-
fed by popular vote This position Of Governor
Walker is shown to be uutensble, both principle
and authority None of the Constitutions of the
old States were thus ratified, and many of the new
have not been. The second ohecti0u-the want Of
enabling acts shown TO be untenable by nu-
merOus pTeCedents the of California in paricu-
lar. Another objection as TO the fairness Of the
registry and app0rti0umeut. This is fully answered
There are thirty ight counties In Kansas twenty
one Of which were represented. Thirteen Of the
others have little or no population. in these
thirteen, the 4th Of January election, there was
less than one hundred votes cast against the 0nstitu-
ton. The four others had no registry, because the
officers we're not permitted TO make 1t. They were
driven away by force and threats
The report ignores the votes Of the 4th of Jauua-
ry, although arguing that a fair Interpretation of
that vote, upon the basis Of appOrtoUment made by
Secretary Stanton, would show that the Constitution
had not been defeated even then.
The report is very elaborate, and covers all the
points aud closes with urgent argument for the
admission Of Kansas as recommended by the Presi-
dent This is urged as best for Kansas as well as
The peace and harmony of the whole Union.