[Twenty Years of Congress, Vol. 1 (of 2) by James Gillespie Blaine]@TWC D-Link book
Twenty Years of Congress, Vol. 1 (of 2)

CHAPTER VII
13/46

If rejected, the alternative was not only the withdrawal of the land grant, but indefinite postponement of the whole question of admission.

It was simply a bribe, cunningly and unscrupulously contrived, to induce the people of Kansas to accept a pro-slavery constitution.
It was not so outrageous as it would have been to force the constitution upon the people without allowing them to vote upon it at all, and it gave a shadow of excuse to certain Democrats, who did not wish to separate from their party, for returning to the ranks.

The bill was at last forced through the House by 112 votes to 103.

Twelve Democrats, to their honor be it said, refused to yield.

Douglas held all his political associates from Illinois, while the President failed to consolidate the Democrats from Pennsylvania.


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