The Placer herald., 1858-02-06
[From the Congressional Globe. ]
Speech of Mr.. Broderick

OpccCu VI MI. 0TOuerlck.
On the motion of Senator Douglas to refer
so much of the Presidents Message as relates
to Kansas affairs to the Committee on Terri
tories.
Mr.. BRODERICK. AS I am the only
Senator, believe on this side of the House
who feels disposed, with the Senator from
Illinois and the Senator from Michigan, to
oppose the Lecompton Constitution, should
like before the adjournment Of the Senate to-
day, to be heard for very few minutes on
the question.
] have listened to the debate very atten-
lively; and whileI agree with the Senator
from Illinois and the Senator from Michigan
in most Of what they have said, l disagree
with them in regard to the Presidents con
nection with the question. When the Presi-
dent Of the United States sent Governor
Walker and Secretary Stanton to Kansas,
they found the people there in state of in
surrection, and, after great deal of labor on
the part Of those gentlemen, they restored
peace and quiet to Kansas. | think the
President Of the United States and his Cabinet
are alone responsible for the present outbreak
to Washington before the President of the
United States issued his message. He con-
versed with the President of the United
States on the subject of Kansas l under
stand that he told him that fifteen out Of
the thirty-four counties in Kansas were de-
prived Of a voice in the election of delegates
to the Lecompton convention. If | under
stand this subject and hope l do, think
that the President Of the United States is
alone responsible for the present state of af-
fairs in Kansas. 1t is the first time, believe
in the history of this country, that Presi-
dent of the United States ever stepped down
from the exalted position he held, to attempt
to coerce the people into base submission
to the will Of an ilegaized body of men.
| have heard great deal said about the
question of slavery being submitted to the
people of Kansas. Why sir consider that
the question of slavery was submitted to the
people of Kansas at the October election in
a more favorable aspect than it will ever be
submitted to them again. Mr. Ransom was
nominated by the Democratic party for
Congress, and if | had been a citizen Of
Kansas should have voted for him. The
tage of presenting man from a free State
for Congress; for l understand from very
good authority that Mr.. Ransom is not a
pro-slavery man. What was the result of
that election! We find that Mr.. Parrott,
tie Republican candidate for Congress was
returned by majority Of some three thous-
and. | consider that since the people of
Kansas had chance to deliberate on the
question of slavery, end to express their views
on it at the election in October last, the ques-
ton of slavery was settled. have been in
formed by two pro-slavely gentlemen from
Kansas that the slavery question was not
discussed at all about the time this conven-
ton was called to make constitution. They
considered that it had been disposed of at
the October election, and for that reason it
would never be agitated in the Territory
again.
am very sorry that am placed in the
unfortunate position of fdisagreeing with my
party on this question, for believe that |
rendered as much service, in my way, in the
election Of Mr.. Buchanan as any gentlemen
on this floor. He was my choice before the
convention at Cincinnati met. | considered
him the most available and the most conser-
vative candidate that could be presented to
the American people for election to the
Presidency, and for that reason I supported
him. regret very much that am compell-
ed to differ with him on this question; but,
intend to hold him responsible for it. | do
not intend, because | am member of the
Democratic party, to permit the President
the United States, who has been elected by
that party, to create civil war in Kansas.
The only thing that has astonished me in this
whole matter is the forbearance of the people
of Kansas. If they had taken the delegates
to the Lecompton convention and flogged
them, or cut their ears off, and driven them
out of the country, would have applauded
thom for the act.
l have spoken for the purpose Of placing
myself right upon this question. 1t would
be idle in me to attempt to discuss it after it
has been so ably discussed by the Senator
from Illinois and the Senator from Michigan;
bat as the Senate is about to adjourn to-
day until after the holidays, l thought it
would be well for me to place myself right
on the record, at least, and have spoken
for that purpose. / may have something
to say upon this Lecompton Constitution if
it shall ever be presented to the Senate for
their action.
Yesterday listened to the remark made
by the Senator from Indiana, Mr.. Fitch,
that we all knew how party platforms were
made. | have been in the habit of submit
ting to the rule of my party. am not, like
great many other gentlemen on this floor,
even tainted with Free-Soilsm. l divided
the great Democratic party in New York in
1s47, on this question. There are two gen
tlemen now holding seats on this hoor-the
Senator from New York Mr., King] and the
Senator from Wisconsin Mr.. Dooittle -
who were members of a convention held in
that State at that time. They will both bear