The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1858-04-21


rery excellent, will not satisfy the people
IF this District. They want represen.
.ative that can think for himself, and
give treason for the faith that is in
him." They don't want one that pins
MS faith on any mans sleeve, or swears
that while is black-or black is white
1t the dictation of any party or Presi-
lent. Mr.. Niblack has been most eyre
,iously deceived in regard to the feelings
and sentiments Of his constituents, if he
sincerely thinks his course is approved
by hundred honest men in his Dis
trict.
Mr.. NIBLACK said:
Mr.. CHAIRMAN: 1t was not my expecta-
ton, sir, when / came here, to participate
during the present session, at least, in the
general debates of this House. 1t is not my
expectation to do SO still. What l have,
very briefly, to say is rather by way OF per-
sonal explanation.
When tho Presidents annual message
was communicated to this House, it rcceiv-
ed as q whole, the appreciation of my ludg-
ment. So far rs the policy of the Admin
istration upon this vexcd Kansas question
was fcreshadowed in that message, could
not see how the President could have taken
any other view of the question in reference
TO the legal points involved, than he did
The case, then, not being fully made up,
however, and the question not being before
Congress, for its Immediate action, felt it
my duty to suspend my opinion, so far as
was practicable, Sntil the question came
regularly before us, and until it was seen
what new and different phases Of it might
DC presented. In the meantime was ex-
ceedingly anxious, in view Of the division Of
sentiment here, as well as elsewhere, amongst
those political friends with whom L am ac-
customed to cooperate, upon the propriety
Of admitting Kansas, a. recommended by
the President, that direction might be given
to the question which would enable those
friends to unite in their action upon it. In
this feeling was not actuated by any dis
trust of the correctness Of the Presidents
policy in my own mind, but by a desire to
consult, as far as was practical and proper,
the views and feelings of others whose CO.
operation very much desire.
Sir, when the Presidents special message
was delivered to this House transmitting
the Lecompton constitution, unhesitating
~ endorsed both the premises and conclu
sons of that message. i felt treasured that
my first impressions of his Kansas policy
were correct. / would have been willing to
have stood upon the doctrines and recon-
mendations OF that message alone, and to
have relied upon both for my vindication.-
While have seer so much to condemn and
SO little to approve in the action of the peo-
pie Of Kansas, felt then, rs / do now, that
the sooner this unfortunate Territory was
organized into State, the better for it and
the country.
But there were those who. protesting not
materially to disagree with the President,
insisted that as so much had been charged
about irregularities and frauds in the forma-
ton of this constitution, some investigation
Ought to be had by some committee under
the order Of this House; and as l feared no
legitimate investigation upon this, as upon
all other public questions, and as l was will
| ing to eoncede something to what seemed to
be an honest difference of opinion, voted to
| refer the message to the select committee,
with instructions, under the substituted res
olution OF the gentleman from Illinois, MIR.
| HARRIS. Sir, l did so with tho hope that,
when the smoke and dust which then en-
| shrouded this question should be cleared
away, as l felt confident would soon be done,
those gentlemen here who seemed only in
doubt as to some mere collateral questions
would come forward in the same spirit and
| concede something for the sake of united nc
ton in bringing this controversy to close.
| Whether those hopes shall be disappointed
| remains yet to be seen. Upon all matters
however, which / considered a fair test of the
real positions of members, have thus far
steadily voted with the friends of the Ad-
| miIlistration on this question, and l expect
to do so, sir still, to the end of this contest
| Whatever may have been said to tie con
trary, l insist that the select committee to
which l have referred, has been fairly con-
.t,t,, tn1 tl.,
| ferred. The instructions were only inciden-
tai to this reference. 1t was proper, then
and in strict conformity with parliamentary
| usage, that u ma ority of the committee
should be friendly to the Recommendation:
of this message. Nothing to me seems
clearer than this. think, too, the report O
the majority of this committee ought to b.
satisfactory to all here not predisposcd t
complain. regard it as ono of the ables
things yet published on this subject. Will
those who desire to pursue the investigation
further, and to 60 into everything connected
with the historJ Of Kansas for the past TIVE
years, not affecting the validity OF the LIE
compton constitution, have no sympathy
Such o course could only serve to rende
more infamous the names of many person
who have already brought disgrace upon tina
fair Territory, and to get up second edition
Of Kansas troubles, which might serve as
textbook for professional freedom shrek
ers" in the approaching political campains
For such purposes, my vote cannot be given
Sir, will not go into the merits of this con
troversy. The subject has already beef
more than exhausted. Anything / nigh
now say, could be little else than stall
repetition of what has already been said b.
others. i think the Presidents position ha
been greatly strengthened by the discussion
here. Many of the objections first urge
, against his policy have already been aban
doned. The remaining ones have lost thci
! original force and plausibility, With al
:, due Difference to the opinions Of other gen
tlemen to the contrary, it does seem to m
| that the policy of the present Administra
ton, in the affairs of Kansas, is but con
tinuation of the same policy inaugurated b.
the late Administration of Mr.. Pierce, in re
lation to that Territory. How often hav
we all on this side of the House, both her
and elsewhere, defended this policyl VIII
of us does not feel himself thoroughly com
United to it! Why shall we now recede2-
For one, / will not, whatever may be til
, consequences, unless some better reasons
given than any have yet heard urged.
, Sir, am admonished that am ASSUMING
. fearful responsibility in the course / hav
felt it my duty to pursue, in consequence Q
the divided condition of public sentiment Of
this question throughout the country. an,
particularly in the great Northwest, from
which come. feel as keenly as any on
the force of this suggestion. No one is tit I