Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1858-06-30


licaus, that the South Americans would ,
only vote with US for the defeat uf the
Lecompton bill, upon condition, that the
Republicans would vote for the amended
bill on its passage. Any four of these
members by voting against us would pass
the Lecompton bill, and iaUolUe the peo-
pie of Kansas in q civil war, or in what
is far worse, the support of Slavery in
that Territory. Ithen supposed and still
believe that this proposition originated
with but two or three individuals whose
patriotism l DO not doubt, but whose
views | never supposed to coincide with
Republican doctrines: | then had no
doubt nor do l now doubt, they would
have yielded that proposition and voted
with us against the bill, had the great
majority Of the Republicans refused the
proposed compromise, and stood firmly
in direct opposition TO the Senate BILL
Indeed it now appears that the Presi-
dent and his friends were subsequently
unable to induce any four of them after
three weeks delay to vote foy the Senate
bill: On the contrary they compelled
the Democratic party 10 yield lis long
cherished and much vauuted doctrine;
that Congress cannot impose terms upon
a Slate seeking admission to the Uuion;
and | am thus confirmed in the belief
that had Republicans maintained their
attitude of direct opposition to the Senate
bill, they would have achieved a glori
ous victory, AMI compelled the advocates
Of Slavery TO disband forever.
But the large majority Of Republicans
believed it necessary to adopt TIE pro-
posed compromise in order to defeat the
Senate bill. They were as sincere and
patriotic as those who differed from them.
Their judgments were as much entitled
TO respect. Senators and distinguished
Republicans then at Washington, coin
cided in the opinion that we ought to
support the proposed amendment. The
public press, and letters from absent.
friends, urged lis adoption; and l felt
constrained TO yield my vote for thai
measure, as a necessity in order to main
iain q union Of our friends, so rs to defeat
The Senate bill. should do injustice to
several of my colleagues, and members
from other States, were | TO omit saying,
Mey were even mere opposed 10 the meas
ure, wholly refusing to pledge themselves
to lis support until their names were
called upon the final vote. Many of us
fully appreciated the views expressed by
the Republican members of our State
Legislature, and l think all must now
admit that the policy adopted has ena
bled the D .mocratic party TO add another
year to the pangs of its political death.
The proposed amendment denied in
the most unmistakeable language that
Kansas was Slave State as the Presi
dent had officially asserted it placed
him On the records of our country, a fal
s fer Of truth, and constituted an uuquaI-
flied repudiation Of bis avowed policy
Nor could we disguise the conviction that
the friends of the President in the Senate
would never agree 10 the bill. when thus
amended. They could only accept it by
an abandonment Of the President, aud Of
his long cherished policy. All were con
scious that both the Executive and Dem
ocratic party were under the control OF
the slave power, that that power demand |
ed the unconditional admission OF Kansas
rs Slave State. and that several States
and many politicians we're pledged 10
dissolve the Union unless Kansas were
Internationally admitted with her Lee
compton Constitution. 1t was therefore
morally certain that adherence to the !
amended bill by the House. would cor
stitute defeat Of the Executive and his
party, and would Prepent lie enactment
Of tie LeeowPton Constitution into Ian.
Eli clearly foresaw that every friend |
OF the President in the House and in the |
Senate woull vote against the amended I
bill, and as we supposed al who voted /
for the bill were solemnly pledged to |
adhere 10 it. We all saw that TO make /
Kansas Il free state we must tird defeat
the Presidents efforts to make it a stare
stale. His project was before us, was
forced upon US for decision, and mus! be
met and disposed of before we could take
the first step towards making Kansas free.
And l speak not for myself, but l think
for nearly the entire Republican party in
the House Of Representatives, when say
that our object and design in voting for
the amendment WAS TO DEFEAT THE SEN
ATE BILL; to defeat the Executive and
slave power in their efforts to MAKE KAN.
sAs \ SLAVE STATE. To avoid that de-
feat every follower Of the President both
in the House and in the Sena'e voted
against the amendment. The result 70,
which We contended was attained. The
Senate bill WAS DEFEATED, Kansas is not
a Stare STATE, and the President stands
upon the records Of a nation convicted Of
official falsehood.
The bill which afterwards became 2
law is most essentially different from that
which originally passed the Senate. I'll
could not have passed had ALL who vole;l
with Us for the amendment, and for a.
lime voted to adhere, continued 10 votcl
n conformity TO their express agreement,
IS understood by Republicans. OF that
Dill and of those who voted for it, do
not propose 10 speak. They as well as
hose who voted against it, vii be
Judged by the present and by coming
generations.
But the establishment of Slavery in
Kansas constituted merely an incident in {
he programme of the administratlon.-il !
As before stated, the acquisition of Ter
rltory in Mexico and Central America,
he restoration of the foreign slave trade
70 furnish victims To cultivate The Terri
Ory thus obtained, the annexation of i
Cuba, the conquest of Hayti aud sub
et ting It's people 10 slavery we're some of
he more important objects for which
hey were STRIVING. But preparatory to
,arrying out these objects, the standing
army must be increased; for even dcspot-
sm is harmless, without the physical
power 10 enforce its DEGREES.
AS an excuse for this increase Of thcl