Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-05-03
Mr.. ENGLISH hoped the gentleman from

with tnat UNDERSTANDING, ii the Rcnde"on
from Ohio would then renew it.
Mr. CAMPBELL would only accept the Hoor
upon the same terms accorded to gentlemen
on the other side. >,
Toe motions for the previous question ana
for call of the House we're then withdrawn.
Mr.. CAMPBELL had no disposition to pro
long this unfortunate controversy. 10 1905
when it as proposed to repeal tim e-hooor
ed compromise on the subject Of slavery, he
resisted the measure, declaring that 1t was
full of evil to our common country, without
the promise of any good to any party or any
section of it. The friends of the measure
defended it as removing an odious restriction,
and carrying out the great compromise OF
1850, BY allowing the people of the Terrific.
ries, when they came to form State constitu-
tiops, to regulate their domestic affairs in
their own way. Subsequently the Supreme
Court had decided the restrictive clause to
be unconstitutional, and he did not therefore
enter this Congress with any hope or pur-
pose of proposing the re.enactment Of that
clause. But, finding that the people OF Kan
sas had been refused the right Of forming
their State constitution in their own way, be
readily united with the Douglas Democrats
to assert their right to vote upon the constr
tuition prior to admission. On the day they
first entered that new hall, his colleague MIR.
Cox INDICATED popular sovereignty 10 trl-
um phant manner, which commanded the ad-
miratiou of political friends and foes, but
on yesterday morning, in full view of glo-
rious triumph of his principles, he saw ut to
beat q retreat.
Mr.. Cox wished to say, here and now, for
himself and bis colleagues on that eide OF the
House, that they stood by the House bill 30
long as they could in good faith and integri-
". lie thought the House bill was the best,
but as there was now no chance Of getting
at that bill again, he did the best he could
under the circumstances by sustaining the
conference report. lie hoped bis colleague
would at least give him credit for honest mo-
tives.
Mr. CAMPBELL was not there to question
the motives of bis colleague or any one else,
but as he Mr.. Cox) occupied high position
in the Ohio delegation, and distinguished
position in the movement against the Lecomp-
ton constitution, be desired to ask him
question. In his speech, when he became
the pioneer Of the movement, he was under
stood to assert the right OF the people OF Kan
sas to vote upon their constitution before they
should be admitted into the Union as State.
He now asked bis colleague whether he con-
sidered the present bill reported by the COM
mites of conference as q submission ot the
constitution to a vote Of the people?
Mr.. HUGHES, Of Indiana, objected to any
answer To that question.
Mr.. Cox bad heretofore endeavored to ex-
plain his views on that subject. Although
the constitution itself was not submitted IN
SO many words, yet the effect of the bill as
be claimed, as the gentleman from Maryland
(Mr. Davisy had argued, and as his colleague
must confess, if he read the bill, was to give
the people Of Kansas chance Of striking
down this constitution if they do not want it.
Gentlemen might differ with him on that
view, but that was his understanding Of the
bill.
Mr.. CAMPBELL said that the gentlemen had
not given him a direct answer. Though they
might be defeated to-day upon the principle
of popular sovereignty, they would hereafter
appeal to that higher tribunal-the people
| and be called for direct answer.
| Mr. Cox proposed to read the bill as an
answer.
Mr.. CAMPBELL would only yield for an an
swer to bis question.
Some confusion here prevailed, several
gentlemen calling to order.
Mr.. LETCHER, OF Virginia, was recognised,
and said his point Of order was that not more
than one member had right to address the
Chair at the same time. Laugh ter.I
The SPEAKER said as two or three gentle
uen objected TO interruptions, be would en-
force the rule allowing no member to inter-
rupt except for personal explanation.
MIR. CAMPBELL was actuated by no unkind
feelings towards either of his colleagues
The same difficulty bad already arisen in re-
gard to the proper construction OF this bill,
which arose after the passage OF the Kansas
Nebraska act, as to what vas squatter sover-
eighty. lie only desired before the vote was
taken that entlemen should understand what
they did.
MIR. Cox desired to say word.
Messrs. Hughes Letcher, and other gentle
men objected.
Mr.. Fo.rER, of Maine, called attention to
the understanding that the gentleman from
Onio MIR. Campbel) was to have the floor up
on the same terms ss those who preceded him.
No objection was made to their being inter-
rupted.
Dir. Cox attempted to proceed, but the OBJ
iectiops were renewed.
Mr.. CAMPBELL said as the objections pre-
vented q full and explicit answer. be would
ask to have read letter from his colleage.
The Clerk then read the letter, which was
addressed by Mr.. Cox to an anti Lecompton
meeting in Philadelphia, under date OF Feb
ruary 9th, and in which he declares that he
will never consent, so help him God, to
waive the right Of the people of Kansas to
vote upon their constitution, or to see the
banner Of popular sovereignty entrusted to
his care. draggled in the Lecompton mire
MIR. BOWIE, Of Maryland. That was on
the original DILL. Laughter.l
MIR. Cox (in his seat said be still endorsed
every word OF that letter.
Mr.. CAMPBELL said be bad here not only
the promise of his colleague to vote for the
submission of the constitution to the people
of Kansas bot be had that promise sworn to
SO help me God"-with the same solem-
pity with which be took the oath of Office
He felt bound to sllude to this letter because
be owed an apology to the so-cslled "Biack
Republicans" who had voted for the House
BILL When that bill came from the SENATE.
an arrangement was entered ioto by men OF
all parties, who were anxious to remove this
exciting question from the balls OF Congress-
to adopt in substance the amendment pro-
posed by the patriotic Senator from Ken
lucky; and not less that twenty OF the Doug