The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-10-28

KANSAS AND TIE SEWARD DENAGoGUEs.
The New York Tribune insists that the Argus desires
controversy with the Tribune respecting freedom
slavery in kansas Without seeking controversy
with that paper il certainly has been our lot differ
from It's views concerning the aspects of the slavery ques-
ton Ia Kansas and the duties which it imposed upon the
citizens OF New York We have insisted that the subject
OF slavery ought to be left the action of the actual c
zens of Kansas that they should be allowed determine
for themselves whether they would tolerate prohibit
slavery The Tribune, the contrary, has eontended
that the citizens OF Kansas ought not to enjoy the
right OF determining their domestic institutions which
is exercised BY the people OF New York. but that the gem
eral government should take the question Of their
hands and decide for them whether slavery should exist
mong them We have conended for the sovereignty OF
the people Of Kansas the Tribune has couicnded for the
sovereignty Of Congress them. Thus we have diff
Tered from the Tribune a question Of principle
But the Tribune has suddenly changed position II
differ from that print now the question of difference is en-
trely The Tribune has to our doctrine OF
popular sovereignty and like all converts has even
gone beyond us in its devotion that doctrine To
row a common-place expression, 1t has out-Heroded
Hercd" We for popular sovereignty exercised ac-
cording to the forms of law and in the ordinary mode
which republican government acts In other words our
doctrine embraced the idea of holding elections according
to law and under the direction Of the proper officials
in passing laws through the ordinary legislative ma
chinery.
But the Tribune has become convert to popular
ereigny OF liberal casa sort of Lynehlaw popu-
lar sovereignty which elects officers and settles grave
tons Of State and forms constitutions at spontane-
gatherings of the people and in popular assemblies
without tho guidance Of law the supervision of officers
assigned by the law to proper regularity decoru
and fidelity in the proceedings Such conversion is little
short of miraculous and TO extend not only the
Tribune, but the whole fusion school of politicians 1t is
u1.nli. e -
and may hope that the zeal of these converts will
in due time be far moderated make them genuine
disciples of the true doctrine of popular sovereignty the
correct conservative in which We in common with
most democrats, have held it.
The Trbunes doctrine is applied to the affairs of
Kansas in this wise it holds to the right of the people of
the Territory to assemble at times and places appointed
by themselves and to elect Gov Reeder their delegate
TO Congressional election being held only without
the sanctions law and without the supervision Of official
inspectors but in defiance Of the existing law and after the
election provided by law had been held. The Tribune
holds that delegate thus elected should be admitted to
Congress in opposition the elected under the forms
of law.
The Tribune further holds that it is competent for the
people without any legal provisions for the purpose
being made, voluntarily assemble and elect delegates
and that the latter may hold seconstituted convention
and frame State constitution, which, having been rat
fed by the people in the voluntary way, the
community is then entitled TO admission AS a State
This, the type of popular sovereignty with which the
Tribune has been attacked 1t is substantially that which
Gov Dorr and his compa,rots attempted inaugurae
Rhode Island and against which the Tribune was then elo
quently indignant, and which it stgmatized simply
revolution But this age of progress The Tribune
processes belong the school Of progress and on the
whole dspleased this wonderful tendency Of
its opinions in popular direction.
For ourselves we confess that these Seward fsonists
have suddenly onstript in their zeal for popular SOW
eregnty We started ahead Of en and in supposed
they intended to travel in opposite direction but they
have turned and passed and goody distance ahead
We believe in popular sovereignty applied to the
Territories but is sovereignty exercised under the reg
uaton Of law We of course recognise the right of the
people TO elect their delegate Congress but IL
should be election under the sanctions and supervision
Of law We hold to the right of tho people TO form
State constitution but the whole proceeding should had
under the guidance of legal provisions. Our doctrine is
in The true and conservative of the term popular
sovereignty The doctrine of the Tribune and Seward
fusion associates is revolution We believe ia the right Of
revouo when il is necessary to to it, but
prepared 10 admit that necessity yet exists in Kansas
although we acknowledge the outrageous character Of
some OF the acts of the recent legislature.
We have above sufficiently indicated vews--so far
at least have for the subject today-in reply
the Tribunes article of Thursday addressed u.s. We
are of the Tribunes general all histhat
the of the late Kansas legislature all void but
should we have occasion to return to the subject VIC
think we shall have very little difficulty in showing that
such position cannot be maintained and that the Tribune
driven take refuge in its doctrine of the right Of
luton.