Mr. KIRKWOOD. I have been from the commencement of this discussion very anxious for the admission of the State of Nebraska. I am so yet. I should have been glad if the people of this Territory had come here with a constitution not containing the word “white;” it would have been more nearly in accordance with my particular views of what a constitution ought to be; but they have not done so. Now, sir, there are 3 propositions before the Senate touching that question; one submitted by the Senfrom Vermont, which proposes substantially that we shall here say that that word shall be stricken out. Now, I should be glad to know what would be the effect of doing that thing. There is an old saying “that it takes 2 to make a bargain.” Suppose we pass this bill with the amendment of the Senfrom Vermont; what then? Is Nebraska a State or not? Has she agreed to the Constitution as we expound it, as we lay it down? Has she agreed that she will have the constitution with the word “white” stricken out? If she has not agreed to it, can we impose it upon her without her consent? In other words, suppose the bill with that amendment be passed by both Houses and signed by the President, are the Senators from that State and the members from that State in the other House entitled to admission in the 2 Chambers at once? If Nebraska be a State they would be so entitled, and would have the same rights as any of us here. But suppose their people at home should not approve of this proceeding; suppose they should say they do not want this word “white”, out of their constitution; then one of 2 things would follow: either they would have a constitution imposed upon them to which they had never given their consent, or else they would not be a State in the Union. Following out the argument of the Senfrom Michigan, how ean we here make a constitution for the people of that State? I do not see how we can. If we can say that the word “white” shall be stricken out of their constitution in fact, can we not say that 20 other words shall be put in, and then if our action concludes them they are governed by a constitution they never made. In regard to the amendment submitting this g.'" to the action of the Legislature of that State, I would have no objection to that but for the fact that the General Assembly is already elected; it does not know the views and wishes and opinions of the people of Nebraska on that subject; and not knowing them, it cannot express them. If it were to be submitted to a General Assembly to be elected after our action, then we should know what the views of the people of Nebraska were on the question; but if it is submitted to a Legislature already elected, as I understand that of Nebraska to be, we cannot find out what are their views upon this question. If we adopt the amendment of the Senfrom Missouri and submit the matter to the people of Nebraska, it must necessarily delay fo admission of the State until the next session of Congress, and I do not think that the practical importance of the question involved is sufficient to justify us in producing that result. For these reasons I shall vote against all the amendments for the admission of the State.