Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-02-18


T.rco,rprov Constitution IN THE STATE SENATE.
-Psndiuq the consideration Of the resolution, be-
fore the Tennessee Senate to instruct Senators
and Request our Representatives in Congress to vote
for the admission Of Kansas into the Union, under
the Lecompton Constitution, (which resolution was
mt on the Bell resolutions as an amendment IN
the House Of Representatives, the following expla
nations Of their votes we're made by American mem
bers;
Mr.. GOODNER remarked:
Mr.. Speaker by leave Of the Senate VIII ex-
plain, in few words the reasons for the vote which
/ am shout to cast. Sir, do not feel prepared to
instruct our Senators and request our Representa-
tves IN Congress to vote for the admission Of Kan
upon the sO-called " Leccmpton Constitution"
for the very simple reason that am not sufficiently
informed Of the provisions Of that instrument 1t,
indeed is presumptuous in this Legislature TO offer
to instruct men, whose opportunities for ascertain
ing the true and real provisions Of that Constitution,
have been far superior to our own. They are cog
infant Of all the facts attending the adoption OF II
they know whether or notit has been adopted BY
the viii Of majority of the legal voters Of the Ter,
Titory. l hope, sir that Kansas may be ADMITTED
into the Union as a slave State, and that the terms
Of her admission may be such as TO give quiet anu
peace to her citizens But sir if this constitution
has been forced upon the people oil Kansas Dy the
cooperation OF q minority Of the people anu the
0TuclalS OF the ADMINISTRATOR Can NN PN~'1 W.
if il is received by Congress, cessation Of hos
tilities Of confusion and OF blood she'd lt IS urged
bv the opposition party in Kansas, that such mas
been the course pursued by the friends OF the con-
stitution and recent elections there prove clearly
that there is large majority Of the citizens opposed
to the constitution.
Now sir in view Of all these facts is it not better
to leave our delegation in Congress untrammeled-
to act according 10 the dictates Of their Judgment
believing as ! do that they all Southern men in
feeling and that the rights Of the South will not be
disree arded by them
1 don't know that am opposed to the LeeOmpton
Constitution, for, far ! have been informed Of
its provisions, do not object TO it. But there seems
to be more objection to the manner in which this
constitution has been adopted; and as our members
Of Congress have more accurate information about
it. think it decidedly more prudent andmore polite
in us to allow them discretionary powers TO act For
these considerations and others which would give,
if it would not trespass upon the kindness Of the
Senate vote no.
When Mr.. ROACH name was called, be rose and
said:
Mr. Speaker:-In explanation to the vote shall
giveo this amendment, Willsay that / an opposed
TO instrucng our Senators and requesting our Rep
resentaves to vote for the reception Of the Lecomp-
ton Constitution, becauseI know nothing about said
Constitution, and we're TO cast my vote, TO use
a common phrase) I would be going 1t blind.
Secondly, believe our Senators and Representa-
tives are sll Southern men, and when they get all
the facts, will be as capable Of judging Of what Is
right in the premises as l am. l am opposed to
tying the hands Of those men, but would leave them
free 10 do as they may think best in view OF their
responsibility to the South, as well as the whole
Union. Mr.. Stanton, who has been heretofore re-
garded by the democratic party Of this State as a
sound Southern man-WhO has been repeatedly
honored with seat in Congress by the votes Of that
party-in speaking Of this LecOmptOn Constitution,
uses the following language:
The measure for which have been uEjusty
condemned has enabled the people OF Kansas to
make known their real will in regard to the Lecomp-
ton Constitution This affords the democratic party
an opportunity to defend the principles Of con-
stiutonal liberty and to itself from disastrous
division and utter overthroW.EIf Congress will heed
the voice of the people and net force upon them
government which they have rejected by a vote OF
four to one, the whole country Will be satlshed,
and Kansas will quietly settle her own affairs with
out the least difficulty and without any danger to
the Confederacy. The Southern States which are
supposed to have deep interest ii the matter, Will
be saved from the supreme folly Of standing up IN
defense Of so wicked and dishonest a cOntrivsnee
as the Lecompton Constitution. The moral part OF
their position will not be weakened by vain and
useless defense of wrong, when it is perfectly GER
tain they will gain nothing even by success in the
present attempt"
Now, sir Mr.. Stanton has been an eye witness OF
the proceeding in Kansas, and certainly Is better
qualified to Judge of the legality Of those proceed
| Ings than Mr.. Buchanan or any other man as far
! removed from them as we are. If urSenators and
Representatives find that the LecomPtOn constltu.
ton has been fairly COTTON up-that the people oil
teat territory have had the chance to express their
views fairly at the baOt-OOE IN the election OF del
egates to form the constitution as we'll as IN regarl
20 the constitution ITSELF henI say they oughttoVote
/ for it. and believe they viii but it, when all the
facts are presented they find 1t otherwise then dc
not as Mr. Stanton says believe Congress ought tc
force a constitution on them which they do not want
The people Of Kansas were assured they shoudhay'
the privilege to settle their domestic institutions in
their own way, and for one am in favor Of their
| doing so. 1 vote no.