True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-03-24

intended, why was it no! stated in the
treaty.
Mr.. Giddings answered because our
government has no power 10 suppress
slavery in Tennessee, or any other slave
State, but has power to suppress slave
trade
Mr. Barksdale, of Miss, said that tho
emigrant aid societies sent men to Kan
sas 10 defy the power Of the general gov.
eminent and the territorial Legislature,
compelling the general government to
send an army there to protect peaceful
voters. He agreedin favor Of Lecomp-
ton, conteIding that it was the act of the
people Of Kansas, under which, being
Republicanin form. they had right to
be admitted. He would ask the Repub-
lican side whether they would vote for
the admission of Kansas il one hundred
thousand desired admission with slaveryl
Mr.. Giddings said that he would never
consent that Ohio shall associate with
another slave Stale. r M g.
Mr.. Carksdale wanted toknow whether
Mr.. Giddings spoke for the whole Repub.
lican party.
Mr.. Giddings answered that he spoke
for the independent, reflective portion of
mankind generally.
Mr.. Barksdale--The Black Republican
portion you mean. He then asked Mr..
Bingham, Of Ohio, whether he would
vote for the admission Of another slave
state? .,.....,,-. ......,.. ,...-..... 1.
Mr.. Bingham-Certainl not: by no
means. - U .'N 'At.'t'''NAr
Mr. Barksdale-The opposition to
Lecompton then, is based on the ground
that it tolerates slavery.
Mr.. Stanton of Ohio, thought that he
might safely say that the Republicans
would never vote for a slave state north
of 36, 80. e.3slia b ,Ig ',al. r.Ei
Mr.. Barksdale--Will they vote for
slave states south Of that line :
Mr.. Stanton believed that some would.
Mr.. Barksdale said, if no more Slave
States were to be admitted, The South
ought 10 know it. She has been constantly
yielding in point Of territory, and has
suffered from Northern aggression.
Mr.. Colfax, of Ind, in response to Mr..
Barksdale said, that he would not vote
for the admission of Kansas if the whole
people came here with slave constitution,
He had made that declaration when the
Missouri Compromise was repealed, but
he placed his objections on even graver
grounds. He reviewed the Lecompton
Constitution and besides the objections
previously argued. contended that it was
contradictory in declaring that properly
was higher than any constitutional sane.
lion, and yet giving corporations power
to take private properly against the
owners will /; that it was inconsistent in
prohibiting the Legislature from passing
bank laws unless ratified by a popular
vote. Yet refusing to submit their own
still more important work to similar
test that it was unconstitutional in
spspending the habeas corpus in cases of
insurrection, in addition 10 rebellions and
invasions, The only exceptions Of the
federal constitution, and provided for
extra taxes on persons following occupa-
lions or trades, which he denounced as
unrepublican and intended as discrimi-
notion against free labor. He read the
Utah and Kansas laws to show that Utah
has precisely the same authority 10 come
into the Union with or without slavery,
and her Legislature is clothed with the
same power Of rightful legislation as
Kansas, and that the Lecompton argument
if correct, would authorize the State
constitution in Utah and the consequent
overthrow of territorial authority, which
is being maintained at such an enormous
expense. He closed by declaring that
peace could not be obtained by forcing q
hated constitution, by military power,
on a protesting people, but was easily
secured by releasing Kansas from the
a. grasp Of her dictators, and asking her
people the plain honest question Do
you desire constitution 10 ratify Lecomp-
ton." "1"a7 7'n'a" s3 a.s'5
Mr.. Adram, OF N. j.. said If he voted
= for LecompLon tainted as it was. with
gross wrong and injustice, he could not
face bis honest Democratic constituency
again. The Democratic party was the
party of truth and principles, but the
Lecompton movement was a. gross depar-
ture from them. The constitution had
not been submitted to a direct vote Of the
people and be would vote against it. o.