Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-02-03
Debate In tho Senate, Feb. 1.

the Senate the propriety Of considering the
bill of the Committee on Territories, provi-
ding for the admission of Minnesota into the
Union.
Upon the question of precedence raised
by these separate IN tions, desutory and
animated debate sprang up, which was Ero-
tracted to late huur--the discussion being
IN by Messrs. Stuart, Green,
Douglas, Mason. Wilson, Bay
ard, Hale Brown, Crttenden, and Others.
Messrs Green, Fitzpatrick, Mason, BY
ard, and Brown, argued against the immC-
mediate consideration of the application
made in behalf Of Minnesota, though the
grounds ct their several objections were not
the same.
MIR. Green thought it proper to wait until
the census of Minnesota was complete, in
order that the number of Representatives t,
which she would be entitled in the popular
branch Of c agress, III hit be accurately as
certained.
Mr.. Fitzpatrick, as member Of the Com
mittee on Territories. desired postponement
OF the question to afford him an opportunity
of reading the report OF the committee, which
he had not yet been able to do, in cousc-
quepce Of sickness.
Mr.. Bayard thought it premature to hasten
the consideration Of the Minnesota case, as
he felt constrained to raise IN HmiHe a con-
stitutional question which was OF tue most
important and delicate nature. lie denied
the right of any Territory in the condition
Of Minnesota to assume tho prerogdtves OF
State by proceeding to tine election OF Sen
ators. This question he was not the first to
rai.e. 1t had been debated by the Senate
of 1896, and decided in the negative. Since
that day a contrary rule may have obtained.
but he felt that the only safety of the couu-
try was to be found in strict construction
Of the Constitution in this as in all other
respects
MIR. Mason and Mr.. Brown argued against
immediately entertaining the application u
Minnesota, on the ground that Kansas in
few days would, in like manner, be suing
for admission into the Uuion. Mr.. Mason
thought it possible that both a political neces-
-ty and political propriety might arise for
coupling tue two cases Of Minnesota and
Kansas, and he, therefore, did not desire to
act upon the former until the surroundings
If the latter had been clearl y ascertained.
There was time when the admission OF new
States into the Union, whatever their loca!
institutions, had been hailed with universal
delight lie hoped that time had not passed:
but if the application Of Kansas should dis
close the unwelcome iacf. the mind # the
whole country you'd be enlightened on the
subject For himself, at least, he preferred
t. postpone the case Of Minnesota until It
should be ascortaIned whether any neccss ty
might arise for uniting her fortunes with
those OF Kansas.
Mr.. Brown concurred in opinion with Mr..
Mason, and intimated that the anxiety OF
"Republican" S majors to hasten the consld-
GRAFTON of Mlnnesola's claims, might spring
from desire on their part TO secure two
more votes against the admission OF hansas
under the Lecompton Constitution. For
himself, he preferred to test the latter qnes-
ton before the Senate with its present CON
stituents, and be gave 1t as his opinion, that
a refusal to admit Kansas as slave State,
accompanied by the admission Of Minnesota
as free State, when the principles that
should govern the two cases are the same,
would be o signal for the dissolution OF the
Union. If Kansas was to be rejected, let
Minnesota be rejected also, and the people OF
Mississippi would not complain.
Messrs. Douglas, Wilson, Hale, and Crit
tenden, argued in favor Of proceeding imme-
diately to consider the claims of Minnesota,
and replied to the objections urged 10 the
negative.
Mr.. Douglas admitted that the census re-
turns had net been received fron seven coun-
ties in the Territory; but as those returns
would in all probability be received before
any vote was taken on the measure, their
non arrival was now no bar to cUnsldera-
ton of the bill.
Mr.. Wilson alluded to the fact that thirty
thousand votes bad been cast by the people
of Minnesota 10 favor of their Constitution,
and only five hundred against It. The Leg
islature of the inrhOate State vas now IN
session, enacting laws which proceeded from
men elected under the pending Constitution,
but which were signed by the Secretary OF the
Territory--thus creating a confusion OF Ju-
risdictiuns which it was important to remove
without delay. The case Of Minnesota was
10 no way connected with that OF Kansas;
but if Senators could not determine how they
would vote upon the claim OF the former Ut
til the attitude Of the Republican minority
was ascertained with respect 30 the latter, ne
telt authorized 10 ASSURE them In advance
that the admission OF Kansas under the 1t
COMPTON fraud would be resisted by every
exredient thin the rules OF the SLnate.
Mr.. Hale desired to direct the attention OF
the country to the observations OF Mi Ma
Sun, who, be thought, had slgn'fled deter
mination to oppose hereafter the admission
of any and every free State, unless the pre-.
tensions of the LecoIpton Constitution should
be allow ed to pass unchalieuged II thst
determination was adhered t., 1t was appa-
rent that this Union would never embrace
more than thirty one States.
Mr.. Crittenden spoke earnestly in favor OF
An immediate consideration OF the Minnesota
bill. lie though it too late to raise the ques-
ticn suggested by Mr.. Bayard. Long and
established precedent had authorized the
Territories to anticipate, in the way Mime
sofa had DONE the rights of State sovereignty
He could see no reason for identifying the
cuse of this Territory, to whose admission
there is 20 serious objection on the part OF
any one, with that OF Kansas, respecting
which there is doubt ADD dispute. Why
complicste the admitted claims OF the one
with the contested merits Of the othe11 The
very fact of such a CONTEXT was rather au
argument against connecting the fortunes oil
the two Territories 10 their common appIlca'
zion to Congress. For himself, he preferred
direct decision upon all questions which
came before him, and to vote upon each &C.
,,r,;,,, IN his nnn viptinng of duty IN the pre-