Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-08-19
Senator TrumbuIl upon Senator Doug

Senator Trumbull upon Senator Dong.
The following extract from the speech of Sen.
ator Trumbull, at Chicago, Ill. shows up the
past course Of his colleague, in light not very
complimentary to the latter's consistency in re-
gard to his favOrite hobby of popular sovereign
ty";
"That legislature when it met imposed un-
constitutional laws upon the people of Kanzas-
provided for the perpetuation of its power-ap-
pointed its officers for yeaTs-took the control Of
all the affairs of the territory, and, backed by the
United States army, perfect despotism was
forced upon the people, upon whom, it said,
had been conferred the great principles of self
government and popular sovereignty. cloud and
continued appause) These the facts. Let
US follow this history along little further. In
process Of time 1t was supposed that Kansas
would wish to be admitted into the Union as a
State. Her people, you remember, had forme
one constitution, known the Topeka consti-
tutiOn, establishing free Snate. 1t was nee
essary to meet this with something, and a bill
was prepared in the Senate of the United States,
BY Mr.. Douglas, authorizing the people of Kan
zas to hold convention and form a consttu.
ton. Several amendments offered to that
bill Among Others an amendment offered
by Mr. Toombs of Georgia, and that bill subse.
quently passed the Senate. Now, fellow citi-
zens, make the distinct charge that there was
a pTeconcerted arrangement and plot entered
into by the very men who now claim credit for
opposing a constitution not submitted to the
people, to have constitution formed and put
in force without giving the people any oppor-
tunity TO pass upon it. Great applause
This, my friends, is serious charge, but
charge it, tonight that the very men who trav-
erse the country, under banners proclaiming pop
ular sovereignty, by design concoeted a bill on
purpose to force constitution the people. /
have brought along with me the evidence to prove
the charge l make (applause) - because
charge of serious character like this might be
controverted by the men who claim credit faryop-
uiar sovereignty, unless l brought the evidence
with me. ! hold in my hands the bill brought
into the Senate of the United States BY Mr..
Ioumbs on the 25th of June, 1856 containing
clause requiring the constitution which the
yention should form to be submitted to the peo-
Pile for their ratification or rejection. That bill
was referred to the Committee on Territories in
the Senate of the United States, of which Judge
Douglas is chairman. Judge Douglas five days
afterwards, reported back the bill I hold in my
hand, making various alterations in it-among
others, striking out the clause requiring its sub
mission to the people. He stated that on consul
tation with Mr., Toombs, he had made these alter
atoms. tremendous applause.)
voice-To whom did he make the statement
Mr.. Trumbul-He made it in the Senate of
abe United States and it is reported in the Con-
gressional Globe; and, sir, If you are a Douglas
man.
Same voce--I am, sir.
Mr.. Trumbull-And you want to satisfy your.
self that he in the plot to force a constitu
ton upon that people ? l will satisfy you.
(Cries Of good, goOd hit him again, and cheers.j
will cram the truth down any honest mans
throat, until he cannot deny it. (Renewed
cheers And to the man who does deny it,
will cram the lie down his throat, till he shall
cry enough. tremendous cheering } 1t is pre-.
posterous-itis the most damnable effrontery that
man ever put on, to conceal scheme to defraud
and cheat people out of their rights and then
claim credit for it, (Cries of hurrah for TTum-
bull-hit him again-down with all such menu
That is not all, my Douglas friend-that is not
all. l, myself, humble as l am, and making no
pretensions other than to have performed my du-
ty to the best of my ability to the State that has
honored me by placing me in the Senate, poin ted
this out two years ago (Three cheers for Trum-
bull were given with great enthusiasm.) stated
that it was little too much TO call convention
in Kanzas before knowing what was the wish of
the people, and then to allow the fifty two men
who were to compose the convention, according
to that bill, to put any sort Of constitution upon
the people, without allowing them to vote upon
itf
A voice-What did Douglas say to it?
Mr.. Trumbull-Wha did he say He was ST.
lent as the grave, and voted for the bill Zap
plause) 1t passed the Senate, but was defeated
in the House. Mind you, now, this was before
the Presidential election. CHEERS and laugh
teri 1t was before the thunders of the Fremont
vote had rolled down to Washington, and fright
ened the men who were there. (Applause.) Il
was before the free people of Illinois had swept
the plunderers from the State capitol, and in
stalled in their places free men, and the friends
of free men. (Renewed applause.) 1t would
not do to risk that policy much longer daughter
and applause.)