Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1858-04-02
gGIatrbman s State JournaI.
BY T.. y. WALTON.
MONTPELIER. APRIL 2. 1858.
FROM WASHINGTON.
wAsHrNoroN, March 25.


Senator root OF Vermont.
In both Senate and House we have had
almost literally nothing for the past week.
As the exception, Mr. Wolcott the eloquent
ly silent witness, was released from imprison-
mont. OF course it is not necessary to even
name all who have taken part in the debate.
] must say, however, that in the Senate Mr..
Foot delivered a speech which was pronounc-
cd on high authority to be one of the stron-
gest and most impressive speeches of the
whole debate. ] do not know that it will be
printed in full Senator Foot has not been in
the habit of printing and therefore recon-
mend the account (it is not report of the
n. Y. Tribune for insertion in the Waterman.
Douglas IN the Senate.
Monday night at o'clock was the time
assigned for Senator Douglas to speak Every
corner and every inch of the Chambor-gal-
lerics, floor, lobby. windows and retiring
rooms-were crowded with Members Of Con
gress, gentlemen and ladies and | suppose
that hundreds, it may be thousands, went
away because admttancc was impossible. All
rules, all privileges of place, all rights were
put at defiance When the recess was ORDER
ed at o'clock, even then the crowd took
possession of the Hall, two long hours in
advance of the appointed time. At Mr.
Douglas came, and from sick bed His en-
trance was greeted with applause, which he
was the first to still by a gesture of his hand
Then he spoke. The speech was as strong as
his physical strength and the standpoint
from which he argued would permit, and in
cts-particularly the facts personal to him
self and frionds-thc Little Giant exhibit
cd his full power.
Ac'iop Of The Senate.
On Tuesday the debate was closed. and the
voting followed
Senator Green administration leader
ciuhdrem the proposition to attach Minnesota
to the bill, and submitted three amendments
The first was as to the prcamble-unimpor-
tant, and agreed to without division The
second amendment was in these words
"That nothing in this act shall be construed
to obridge or infringe any right of the people,
asserted in the Constitution of Kansas. at all
times, to alter reform or abolish their form
of government in such manner as they may
think proper, Congress hereby disclaimng
any authority TO intervene or declare the con-
structon of the Constitution of any State
except to see that it be Republican in form.
and not in conflict with the Constitution of
the United States
This was adopted, 81 to 23 Mr.. Crittendon
did not rote, while all the Republicans. with
Brodorck, Douglas and Stuart, Douglas
Democrats) voted in the negative The op-
position regarded the amendment as a fraud.
in keeping with all the other frauds on this
subject. \ simple declaration that this uc,
docs not abridge the right of the people. and
that Congress won't abridge their rights.
only leaves the question 10 the Supreme Coart
to settle by another bred Scott decision. For
this reason, many of the Southern Democrats
and nearly all I suspect-rcgardod this
provision as a nullty. \ few. and among
them Mr.. Green, profess to believe that tho
people can amend, but can hardly tell on
what conditions. If it is under the Lccomp-
ton Constitution, the power is limited there
must be two-thirds vote in each branch Of the
Legislature; and there are also limitations as
to time | note this matter for the record.
If Leeompton shall triumph now, under this
amendment, which has been put in to
strengthen the bill, let us see, by and by,
how the implied promise of to-day is re-
deemed
The last of Mr. Green's amendments was
this:
Nothing in this act shall be construed as
an assent by Congress to any or all of the
propositions or claims contained in the ordi-
nance annexed to the said Constitution"
A little debate ensued, as to whether the
ordinance and the Constitution are not ident-
cal,-tho instrument ono and indiyisible. II
so, Congress does "intervene" by this bill
does look into the Constitution-does reject a
part Of it. The amendment was agreed to.
The next important amendment was sub
mitted by Mr. Crittenden of Kentucky.
/ american, being a substitute for the entire
bill. Substantially, it provided for refer
once back to the people, and if the Locomp-
ton Constitution shall be adopted, the Presi-
dent may, by proclamation, admit Kansas as
State; otherwse--that is, if the people re-
ject the Lecompton constitutional new one
may be formed This, then, was an enablinq
bill, in one condition, and in another it was
the Nebraska bill, Tho amendment was re-
| jocted-ayes 81, noes 81. All the Repubi-
cans but one Mr. Durkee voted for the a.
mendmcnt, with the three Douglas Democrats,
and also three South Americans, to wit
Bell, Crittendon and Kennedy. Finally the
bill was PASSED, SO TO 25-every Republican
but one, 10, three Douglas Democrats. one
Administration Democrat, (Pugh of Ohio,
under instructions and two South Ameri-
cans, Bell and Crittenden,) voting in the
negative. In the affirmative were Allen OF
r. l., representing a Republican State
Bright and Fitch, whose seats are contested
Green representing free State-Joncs,
representing Republican Statc-and four
Americans, to wit Houston of Texas, under
Instructions Kennedy and Pearce of Mary
land, and Thompson Of Kentucky. Mr.. Cam
oron of Pa. (Ropub.) paired off with Senator