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rs in which the Missourians outnumbered their rivals and captured the territorial government。 The Northern colonists organized a State and attempted to run it。 Irregular warfare was maintained between the Lawrence squatters and the invading Missourians to determine which faction was entitled to exercise the sovereignty delegated by Congress。
The House passed a bill to admit Kansas with the Constitution adopted at Topeka by the Northern settlers in their abortive effort to organize a State。 It failed in the Senate and a few days later the Federal troops dispersed the usurping State legislature。 The Governor seeing that all civil authority was ended； negotiate a truce between the warring factions； resigned and hastened away from the scene of the disastrous experiment of Squatter Sovereignty。
The meeting of Congress on December 3rd； 1855； marked another stage in the great struggle。 So completely were the parties disorganized that it was found impossible to classify this Congress。 From December 3rd to February 2nd the House was unable even to organize itself。 On December 31st the President sent in his message。 He disposed of the overshadowing problem in a few brief words and devoted the message to ephemeral matters long since as completely forgotten as himself。 Although civil war had been raging in Kansas for many months and the carnival of crime was still in progress on that frontier； he gravely assured Congress that it was a matter of congratulation that the Republic was tranquilly advancing in a career of prosperity and peace。 He told them that the people of the Territory were clothed with the power of self…government and that he had not felt justified in interfering with their exercise of that right。 But on January 24th he sent another message announcing in general terms the disappointment of his hopes and recommending an enabling act for the admission of Kansas as a State。
The Senate consisted of thirty…four Democrats； twelve Whigs and thirteen Republicans。 Douglas was the recognized leader of the majority； without whose presence they were unwilling to take any decisive action。 But he was detained by sickness and did not take his seat until February 11th。
On the 12th of March he presented to the Senate a most elaborate report from his Committee； together with a bill to authorize the people of Kansas to organize a State whenever they should number 93；420。
It is impossible to read this report； which was prepared by himself； without admiring his subtle art and consummate skill。 He argued away the power of Congress to impose restrictions on new States applying for their admission； other than that the Constitution be republican in form； and insisted that the people of the Territories must be left perfectly free to form their own institutions and were entitled to admission as matter of right。 He traced the trouble to the pernicious activity of the Emigrant Aid Company； which had attempted to force New England institutions and customs upon the Territory。 He accused this Company of systematic colonization and drew a moving picture of the march of these political colonists across Missouri； pouring out their denunciations of slavery； exhibiting their hostility to the institutions of that State； until at last the people in alarm resolved on defense。 He admitted that there might be some cause for regret over the occasional errors and excesses of the Missourians； but it must not be forgotten that they were defending their internal prosperity and domestic security against the invasion of New England fanatics； who were bringing in their grain 〃the horrors of servile insurrection and intestine war。〃
The attempt to organize a State government at Topeka he condemned as a seditious movement； designed to overthrow the territorial government and the authority of the United States。 He justified the law referring the question of slavery to the inhabitants； and traced its failure to the intemperate passions of those who had precipitated this mad contest for mastery。
Collamer of Vermont presented the minority report； condemning the violence of the friends of slavery； deploring the fearful results of the experiment of Squatter Sovereignty and urging speedy admission of the State。 It condemned the provision of the law referring the question of slavery to the inhabitants and traced the entire trouble to that blunder。
Sumner at once denounced the report of the majority； intimated his purpose of properly setting the brand of falsehood upon it in a subsequent speech； and told them to 〃begin their game with loaded dice。〃
Douglas angrily challenged him to deny a single fact in the report and said he was ready to overwhelm him with proof。 〃We are ready to meet the issue；〃 he said； 〃and there will be no dodging。 We intend to meet it boldly； to require submission to the laws and to the constituted authorities； to reduce to subjection those who resist them； and to punish rebellion and treason。 I am glad that a defiant spirit is exhibited here； we accept the issue。〃
Two days later Trumbull spoke in unsparing criticism of the report of the Committee。 It happened that Douglas was absent when he began。 Word was carried to him and he hurried to the Senate。 When Trumbull closed and the usual motion to adjourn was made； he protested against it and denounced the discourtesy of discussing the report during his absence。 He was vexed especially by his colleague's exasperating statement that was a 〃life…long Democrat and was representing the Democracy of Illinois in the Senate。〃 He assured them that Trumbull was without party standing in that state； and proposed that they sign a joint resignation； thus submitting their quarrel to the people。 But there was a deeper wound than this which still rankled； and he turned from his colleague to pour out his wrath on Sumner for the publication of the 〃Appeal of the Independent Democrats；〃 and the old quarrel between them was rehearsed anew with increasing bitterness on both sides。
On the 20th he spoke for two hours and a half in defense of his report。 Charges of fraud； violence or illegal voting； he said； were made in but seven of the eighteen election districts into which Kansas was divided； although ample provisions had been made for the presentation of protests to the Governor。 A large majority of both branches of the legislature were elected by these eleven districts where no complaints were made。 At least a quorum must have been legally elected。 The minority report charged that on the day of the territorial election； 〃large bodies of armed men from the State of Missouri appeared at the polls in most of the districts； and by most violent and tumultuous carriage and demeanor； over…awed the defenseless inhabitants and by their own votes； elected a large majority of the members of both houses of said Assembly。〃
But the report contained not a word about the eleven uncontested districts affected by this invasion。 In the eleven uncontested districts the judges made their returns in due form and； no protests nor charges of fraud or illegal voting being presented； the Governor granted certificates of election as a matter of course。 The minority stated that in many districts protest had not been made because the inhabitants； discouraged and intimidated by the Missouri invaders； had let the matter pass。 Yet at Lawrence and Leavenworth； the chief centers of the alleged Missouri violence the people were not intimidated from contesting the election； what reason was there to suppose that elsewhere； remote from the scene of trouble； they were so completely conquered that they dared not protest against their wrongs and petition for redress of their grievances？
The thirty…three judges appointed by the Government to conduct the election in the eleven districts； all swore that the returns contained a true statement of the votes polled by the lawful voters。 The Governor； two weeks after giving certificates of election； issued his proclamation commanding the members to assemble on the 2d of July。 He recognized the legitimacy of the legislature in his message； invoking the Divine blessing on it and recommending the passage of important laws。 But he afterward quarreled with the legislature。 He then sought to repudiate it and impeach its validity by charging that it had been elected by Missouri invaders。 The only evidence before the Committee tending to show irregularities in the election was the hearsay statement of the Governor； which flatly contradicted his solemn official declarations。 The legislature itself had investigated the elections of all members against whom contests were filed and its legitimacy was finally and conclusively established。 The malcontents having failed to capture the legislature； encouraged by Governor Reeder （who had meanwhile been relieved from office）； instituted their rebellious Topeka movement and； in defiance of the law； attempted to organize a State。
The movement was revolutionary and intended to subvert the existing Government。 Only two laws enacted by the territorial legislature were complained of as unjust；that relating to elections and that relating to slaves。 The social； domestic and pecuniary relations of the people had adjusted themselves to th