The Washington union., 1858-03-10
THE WASHINGTON UNION.
jecte PROVINCES II they did, they would reject Kan

49,
Mr. ENGLISH, of Indiana, said he had thus far In the
session carefully refmned from taking any part in the
discussion OF the question OF the admission Kansas be-
she believed the premature Introduction of the subject
into the debates of Congress extremely unfortunate
and calculated to lead TO bad feelings In his judgment
would have been better for all concerned if the matter
had been left alone until it up for the action OF
Congress But the time for action ut hand and he
would not shrink from dscharging his duty He refer
red to the passage Of the Kansas Nebraska BILL and stated
that he had fully endorsed it, and devoted himself assidu
ousy to effect its passage There were but two of the
northern democrats who voted for that measure in the
House, and he told that there had been but
ator returned The northern democracy had made great
sacrifices for the principle of popular sovereignty and he
did not believe that the southern democrats fully appre
cated them 1t expected that the people would be
allowed to determine their own institutions. Had this
been DONE he the democracy of his State would
have been in favor of the constitution 1t not true
that the northern democracy opposed 10 the adms
sen of southern States He did not know democrat
who would not favor the admission of State with
slavery constitution, II ii the will Of the people. He
had said long ago in his place in the House that if Kansas
presented herself for admission with slavery ratified by
the people, he would have voted for it, He said to
day and he believed that that the entire sentiment
OF the people He should do that not because he loved
the institution of slavery but because he held that it
matter which every State must fix for itself He did
not believe that the democratic party always right,
but he believed that he could do good by staying in
that party and attempting to set right than by joining
the earnest wish of his heart to sustain him in all things,
but the facts and arguments had only gone show thatthe
tcchnicatcs OF law would he taken advantage Of The
Lecompton constitution did not mbody the will of the
people, and repugnant to them The whole country
knew that large majority of the people were opposed to
that constitution and they 10 lend their aid in fas
cning 1t upon them because there had been rregu
arty in the exercise of the right of surage If the
election of the delegates was fair did it follow tina,
it was final lie was firm believer in the soy
ercgnty of the people but he did not believe
that sovereignty nacnabe. He contended that the
Kansas question should not be made test question: and
argued that the republican party had planted themselves
upon the democratic platform but they could not drive
him from it The people should have had fair oppor
tunty to ray the constitution ider which they were
to be admitted At the time for the sake OF har
mony, if a reasonable concession made which
making the constitution conform to the popular WILL he
would vote for it, Less than this would not satisfy his
constituents and he would not betIay their wishes for
any consideration IT. the other hand all reasonable
propositions voted down, and he was brought to
for the admission of Kansas under the Lecompton
constitution he distinctly declared that he would not
vote for it,
Mr. PHILLIPS, of Pennsylvania quoted from the
speeches of Mr. Grow of Pennsylvania, and from the
letters and speeches of essrs Walker and Stanton and
Others to show that the admission of Kansas into the
Union under her present application, and with the Le
compton constitution regular according to establish
cd principles and recognised precedent he contended
that the convention not bound to refer any portion
Of the constitution to the people but that they had sub
difference of opinion the slavery clause.
Mr.. MON riOMERY, of Pcnnsy lvania, declared that
the slavery clause had been submitted to the
pie.
Mr.. PHILLIPS replied that he was glad his colleague
had defined bis position Now they knew where to find
him.
Mr. MONTGOMERY said it easy to find him.
Mr. PHILLIPS then cited authorities to show that the
constitution of Pennsylvania had been adopted by mi
norty vote.
Mr.. KUNKEL Of Pennsylvania, said the resolutions of
the democratic convention of Pennsylvania which had
lust adjourned contendcd that the people had the right
to change the constitution by regular process He wanted
know under what process the people could exercise this
power,
Mr. PHILLIPS replied by pctitionng the Legislature,
who shall authorize them to have convention.
| Mr.. KUNkEL said the Legislature had no power.
| Mr. PHILLIPS replied that the legislature had no
| power to make amendments, but they had the pow
| or TO call convention He wanted to substitute
regular process for the strong OF violence In l'6
| Pennsylvania had convention, which Benjamin
Franklin presided, and formed constitution, which con
tanned clauses the effect that it could only be amend
ed by the action of the council Of When these
refused to call convention to propose amend
mcnts majority of that council addressed the people
and among other things said that the people could
be deprived OF their rights and in 1890 they made
constitution did provide for any change, but who
dared to dispute their right to have change when they
| desired it
| Mr. STANTON, of Ohio, inquired whether where a
power granted aud mode of executing it prescribed,
| it could be exercised in any other manner
Mr. PHILLIPS replied of course not but he would tell
the gentleman that there restriction upon the
legislature Of Kansas until 1864, and when they under
took to restrain the Legislature they should do it in words
that could not be misunderstood. He would give him
his authority for this He would give him the authority
of tho Topeka constitution. Iaughter.l These were
bis views and the principles Of the party to which he be-
ongcd 1t WAS immateIial to him whether or not this
declaration attached to the bill admitting the State
He would vote for it because 1t could do no harm, He
would vote for il in any way it was wanted He be
cved it WAS already there and that it would take
than the power of Congress TO make it null and void.
Mr. FOSTER, of Maine obtained the floor when
Mr. JOHN CoCHRANE, of New York, moved That
! the House adjourn which motion agreed to.
And then at fifteen minutes past o'clock, p. m, the
House adjourned.
|