Kansas weekly herald., 1854-09-22
Cur Position.

introductory, last week, we shall main
tain without swerving to the right hand OF
the left. AS the pioneer of the Press in
Kansas, we believe it incumbent upon us
in. a special manner, to carry out. to the let
ter and in its spirit, the Kansas Nebraska
Bill. With this as our chart, and with the
Constitution for our guiding star, we. have
started out, and by their direction we mean
TO take Our course. The bill organizing
these Territories is but continuation of
.he-Coinpromise Legislation of 1850, which
was advocated and carried through by our
Oldest and ablest statesmen. In that legis-
lation they have bequeathed us legacy,
that if rightly adhered TO, will prove guar
antee of the permanency OF our Union, and
an incalculable blessing 10 this and all COM
mg generations Of American citizens
Against the compromise laws of 1850 all
the bad elements in our political system
we're combined their passage was the tri-
:lmph of stoaly, union-loving conserva-
tfsm over the united powers Of Northern
and Southern fanaticism. Patriots every
where hailed them as Il bow set in our po-
iftleal heavens, the pledge of eternal peace.
The Kansas-N Nebraska Bill does for these
territories precisely what the compromise
of 1850 did for New Mexico and Utah, it
leaves the people of Kansas and Nebraska
to choose for themselves the institutions un-
der which they will live. Are the people
of the territories the slaves of the States,
that they are to be deprived of the right of
shaping their own institutions ? When an
American freeman removes from Illinois OF
Kentucky into Kansas, is he the less an
American freeman? Ou whole structure
OF government is founded on the supposed
intelligence Of our people and their capa-
hility OF self-goyernment-is it contended
that the people Of the Territories have less
of these qualifications than the people Of
the States The Mexican and South Amer
ican Republics have proved failures from
the want of these requisites to self govern
tnent-do the States and Congress place us
IN the same category with the ignorant and
priest ridden lazzaroni Of these misgovern-
cd countries. There is no state in the I'm
ion tut is free to adopt or abolish slavery
within It's limits at its pleasure, without con-
stlting Congress. Why notthen allowthe
Territories the same privilege 1t is ques
tion entirely local to each state and abso-
lutely foreign to the jurisdiction of Con-
press. Vas it not wise then to throw out
Of the arena of National politics question
that had never belonged there, and which
Ike the apple of Discord could never serve
any purpose, but to generate strife and try
The strength ofthe bonds of our Union.
The expedicncy of Federal Legislation
for the territories on any matter must rest
upon the supposition that Congress has bet
fer means of knowing the condition and
wants of the people than their own repre-
sentatives. Is it not g!aring absurdity to
contend that the Legislature of b1assaehu-
setts can make laws for the State Of Ar
kansas better than a body of men chosen
by the people Of the latter. Squatter SOW
ercignty then, or the right of the territories
10 govern themselves is but common Justice
and common sense. Against all fanati-
cisrn, North or South, which has grown out
of this question we shall contend with what
ever ability and zeal is in us, hoping that
it may never again raise IFS Gorgon head
in the councils Of the Nation.
The agitation of our local interests
abroad. proceed from what quarter it may,
whether from Massachusetts,, or Missouri,
is impertinent and uncalled for. We are
capable of seIf.goyefnment and Congress
has declared us free to legislate for our
selves. therefore while we desire to main
tain friendly and courteous relations with
cur neighbors, we shall without hesitation
Withdrew ourselves from all foreign pupil
age.
= Men coming to Kansas from any part of
thfs Union, and delneaning themselves like
rood citizens viii be protected IN the right
offrce. speech and free suffrage. The en-
issaries of mischief, whoeome fer the pur-
pose pose of stirring up strife, and arraying one
Slass Of our people against another, of gen
esrat;1g Lad passions and creating section
al narties, are unwelcone visitors. 1t is
sss1 ptrrpuse of the great body Of the actual
ssstIersss of this territory 70 carry out the
the letter and srarifof the Douglass Bill,
sfay Kansas. when size applies for ad-
....sr..a set.,te. 1 q lie to ir,Scrihe On her.