Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1858-02-11
politital.
CONGR ESSIONAL.


in the preparation of the cataloge. alb
stract and index of the original docu-
ments and papers of the United States.
The message received from the Pres
ident, transmitting the Lecompton
Constitution, was read. 1t quotes
the severe language of Gov. Walker,
declaring that the city of Lawrence is
a hotbed of Abolitionism; says the di
viding line in Kansas is not between
the two political parties, as in other
places, but it is between those who
are loyal to the Government and those
who are seeking to destroy it by force;
says Kansas is at this day as much OF
Slave State as Georgia or South
Carolina, and recommends its admis-
sion under this Constitution, as the
only means of restoring tranquility
The people can amend hereafter as they
think proper
Mr.. Bigler moved the printing of
the message and its reference to the
Committee on Territories.
Mr. Trumbull was unwilling to let
the matter pass from the consideration
of the Senate without q remark. He
looked upon it as a perverted and in
correct history, from the beginning to
the end, of the difficulties in Kansas.
Even from the imperfect hearing of it,
as read by the Clerk, it was inconsist-
ent with itself. The President recon-
mends Kansas to be admitted under
the Lccompton Constitution. On that
ground, even, it is in violation of the
will of the people. The Legislature
which convencs under that Constitu-
ton may provide at once for its
change; and vet the author OF that de-
claration tells YOU the election to deter
mine whether the people would have
the Constitution or not, is nullity.-
He takes the ground that the people
have no authority to prevent 1t from
going into force, and vet have power
after it goes into force to change it
Upon what principle can such doctrine
be maintained? There was no greater
usurpation in Kansas than that COM
mittel by the President. Has not the
army in that Territory been employed
there without authority of law9 and he
quoted from record to prove the latter
assertion.
He commented upon the Nebraska
bill, arguing that the admission of
Kansas under the Lccompton Consti-
tuition would be violation Of the
principles of that act, according to a
fair construction of its provisions.
Mr.. Douglas would reserve any re-
ply which he might have to make to
what his colleague had said relative to
the Nebraska hill till some future oc-
casion, but should at all times hold
himself ready 10 vindicate the princi-
plies of that bill from all assaults, no
matter from what quarter they might
come. He would not now go into an
argument relative to questions raised
by the message; his opinions had been
clearly expressed on all those matters
on previous occasions. He thought
the better course would be to refer the
message at once to the Committee on
Territories, where all the disputed
questions of fact could lie examined
before it should come before the Senate
for action. Hoping that that course
would be adopted, he asked leave to
present remonstrance, signed by
certain gentlemen as Governor and
State officers of Kansas, protesting
against the reception of that State into
the Union under the Lecompton Con-
stitution, which he would refer to the
Committee on Territories and have
printed.
Mr.. Toombs said but for the char
acter of the assault which Trumbull
made on the Message he would be con-
tent to let it go to the country and vim
dicata itself, but such had been the
nature of the assault he felt it to be his
duty to take the opportunity to express
his hearty cooperation in that policy
which the President has indicated, and
at the same time to express his graft
fication at the signal ability and power
with which the great principle, laying
at the bottom of that policy. has been
presented to the attention of the people
by the Chief Magistrate. VINO recon-
mends the admission Of Kansas under
the constitution. The President trans
mittcd message upon this point stat
ing that Kansas shall be admitted into
the Union as State, and all the peo-
pie of both parties, and both Houses OF
Congress were agreed. a large por-
ton of the people of Kansas, said to
be majority by the Republicans.
nearly three years ago formed an in
strument known as the Topeka Con-
stitution, and asked admission into the
Union. 1t then could be no objection
on the ground that Kansas does not
desire a State Government, but while
the Topeka movement was without
the sanction of law, and in opposition
to law, the Lecompton Convention
met In pursuance OF an act OF the Ter
ritorial Legislature, embracing the
will of the people in the Lecompton
Constitution, and clothed with legal
ity, while the Topeka Constitution
was made in defiance Of law. iaff
Senate adjourned.
HousE-Mr. Harris, OF Ill.,, gave
notice that he would tomorrow move
to take up the contested election case
of Vallandingham against Campbell.
in order to dispose OF the preliminary
questions involved
The House resumed consideration OF
the deficiency bill. d
The House spent several hours IN
the consideration OF the Printing Deh-
cheney bill, which appropriated S1!o:-
a 81 xs