Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1860-05-04

and wholesome rule in regard to the admission o
new States was sought but merely question o
evidence, as TO whether the then Territory Of Ore
lgon had a sufficient population to enttle it to
Representative on this floor The principle was
conceded to be correct and to have been applied tc
all the new States, with the solitary exception o.
Florida, which had the requisite population at the
time ofits application for admission as q State but
from the wasting effects of Indian warfare had been
reduced fraction below il at the date of its admis-
sion. II was question Of fact and not of prnci-
Pile and it was admitted as State upon the ex-
press ground that it had the required number Of
ofpopulation and the then Delegate TGeneral Lane1
so declared this floor In confirmation of this,
as well as in support of the position then as now,
assumed by my party, beg leave here, sir to recte
that portion Of the minority report of my able and
efficient predecessor, Hon. +. X. Zollicofer in re-
gard to the admission Of new States without sniff
cent population to enitle them to a Representative
in Congress--made to this House on the application
Of Oregon to be admitted as a State-as containing
clear concise, and lucid erPose Of this principle:
"The undersigned has not been able TO concur
with the majority of the commitie in favor Of the
bill for the admission of Oregon into the Union.
"The population of the proposed State, in his
opinion is not yet sufficiently large to entitle it to
admission. Since the organization of the Federal
Government nineteen States have been admitted
into the Union, and no instance has ever occurred
ton less than the ratio of representation in Congress
at the time with the single exception Of Florida in
which instance the population, at the time OF APP
plication for admission, than equal TO the
existing representative ratio but delay of six
years intervening, the ravagcs of Indian warfare
and change in the ratio, caused the population, at
that time of actual admission TO fall something be-
low the amount required by this well-cstablished
rule. The rule is founded in wisdom, justice, and
the safety Of The Republic, and should never be de-
parted from unless under the pressure of an over
shadowing necessity. In the case Of Oregon there
is no such necessity, and clear want Of showing
OF population equal to the present ratio OF epresen
tation. This is conclusive with the undersigned.
y the last census, taken in 1896 the population
was but forty-three thousand four hundred ard
seventy two. The aggregate popular vote at that
time on the convention question: was hine thousand
two hundred and sixty one, and for Delegate in
Congress, ten thousanSonc hundred and twenty one
The popular vote in 1857 had not increased being,
on the convention question; niliU thousand two
hundred and ninety-six and for Delegate, nine
thousand one hundred and thirty-three. This
would seem to indicate a slowly-increasng popula-
ton Yet in the face of such facts tie Representative
and ono of the Senators elect express the opinion
that the population is between eighty thousand and
one hundred thousasd and the other Senator elect
thinks it very nearly equal to the ratio Still
the main fact is wanting that it is, in fact, quite
Sluhi 10 ItuOi anu tile eNlNSuCe Is In
dicative OF Il decided deficiency.
"If admitted under these circumstances the pre-
cedent would be a dangerous one Other commun-
ties, with populations less than that of aCongres-
sional district would also knock at the doors of
Congress for admission, and would be admitted.
Such petty communities, erected into States, wonld
at once assume footing of exact equality with the
most populous States of the Union. With popua-
tiOns less than that of one-third part Of that of the
SNofn nnfN
Senate of the Unted States power equal to that
Of New York; and, in a contingency under the Con-
stituon, an equal power in the elections of Pres-
dent and Vice President of the United States. In
all the independent powers of the Senate the treaty.
making power, the trial of impeachments, the con-
iirnation of ambassadors judges Of the Supreme
Court and other important public officers, these
small communities would have perfect equality of
suffrage with the most popuous States of the Union
In those other vast powers Of the Senate too which
it exercises correatve branch of Congress- such
as upon questions Of war, levying and collecting
taxes regulating commerce with foreign nations and
between the States, raising and supporting armies
SC, &C., they would hold an equal check upon the
large and populOus States representing the masses
of the people. Their introduction, a balance of
power might, therefore, not only be made to control
Presidential elections but the very destinies. of the
American Union.
"Wouid this be just to the larger States, or to
the bulk of the American peoplcl Would it be
safe to the Government, to the integrity and dura-
ton of the Union itsef2 How long would it he
before party politicians holding temporary ascen-
doncy in the Government would be tempted TO
bring in new States, regardless of population, merely
rs balance Of power TO enable them to control the
Government? How long before this would bring
retaliation in more reckless spirit; and where and
when would such warfare terminate. once begun?
The undersigned submits whether the highest con-
siderations Of patriotism do not demand of us to
pause before taking step fraught with dangers Of
such magnitude to the Government Now is the
time to arrest this tendency. No temporary con-
slderations Of expedency should tempt us to depart
from tn safe just, rational usage OF those who have
gone before US. As to Oregon, if her population is
rapidly increasing she will soon be prepared for
admission. Until them she can well afford to wait"
Sir, the foregoing reasons, so ably and forcibly
urged by my distinguished predecessor against the
admission of Oregon, apply with double force in the
present lnstance for in the admission Kansas under
the Wynndotte Constitution, as now proposed we
not only innovste upon long established and
wholesome usage Of the Congress, founded in reason
and justice, but violate as | have shown, II positive
law Of the land This, sir, should be sufficient in
my judgement, TO insure the prompt rejection of the
proposition by this House. But sir this is not all;
aud invite the attention Of honorable members to
the following provisions in the constitution of the
proposed State of Kansas, and under which it seeks
admission into this Union as State. In the first
and second sections Of the i(h article it is provided
as iollows
"SEc. l. Every white male person Of twenty-one
years aud upwards, belonging TO either of the fol-
lowing classes who shall have resided in Kansas six
months next preceding any election and in the town
ship or ward in which lac offers 10 vote, at least
thirty days next preceding such election, shall be
deemed qualified electors LIST, citizens of the United
States I'd persons of foreign BIRTH who shall have
declared their intentions to become citizens, con-
formally 10 the laws of the United States on the
subject Of naturalization
! also find in article two OF said constitution sec
ton four, the following provision;
NO person shall be member of the Legislature
who is not at the time OF election qualified voter
ol and resident in the county or district irsm
which he is elected
The fourth section OF article four of the Constitu-
tion OF the United States provides rs follows. '
ITpft,d stot.- rt,.lI 80 o,-o.,