Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-04-19


be as agreeably surprising TO the slave states,
as they are astounding to the free states. lie
finds that the former have been altogether guilt
less ol political ambition, while he conyicis the
latter moi only Of unjust territorial aggrandze-
ment, but also Of false and fraudulent clamor
against the slave states, to cover theii own ag-
gressions. Notwithstanding the president 8
elaborated misconceptions, these historical facts
remain, namely--ihat no acquisition whatever
has ever been made at the instance of the free
states, and with a view 10 their aggrandze-
meni that Louisiana and Florida. incidentally
acquired for general and important national OBJ
jects, have already yielded to the slave states
three states Of their own class, while Texas
was ayowodly annexed as a means Of security
10 slavery, and one slave state has been admit
ted from that acquisition, and Congress has
stipulated for the admission Of four more that
by way Of equivalent for the admission Of Cal
ifornia, free state, the slave states have OBJ
tanned virtual repeal Of the Mexican law
which forbade slavery in New Mexico and Utah
and that, as a consequence Of that exiraordina-
ry legislation, Congress has also rescinded the
prohibition of slavery, which, in ls2O, was ex-
tended over all that part Of Louisiana, except
Missouri, which lies north Of 80 deg. 80 min.
Of north latitude. Sir, the real crime Of the
northern states is this: they have forty degrees
too much Of north latitude.
How like unto each other are the parallels
Of Tyranny and revolution in all countries and
in all times Kansas is to-day in the very ac,
of revolution aeains, tyranny Of the president
OF The United States, identical in all its promi-
neni features with that tyranny of the king of
England which gave birth to the American rev.
olution. Kansas has instituted revelation,
simply because ordinary remedies can never be
applied in great political emergencies. There
is a profound philosophy that belongs 10 revo-
luiions. According 10 that philosophy the
president is assumed by the people Of Kansas
TO entertain resentment which can never be
appeased, and his power consequently, must be
wholly taken away. Happily, however, for
Kansas, and for US, her revolution is one that
wac anticipated and sanctioned and provided
for in the constitution Of the Uniied States, and
is therefore peaceful and (paradoxical as The
expression may scem) a constitutional one
Never before have ! seen occasion so great for
admiring the wisdom and forecast Of those who
raised that noble edifce of civil government
The people Of Kansas deprived Of their sover-
eighty by domestic tyranny, have nevertheless
lawfully rescued il proyisionally, and, so exer-
cising il, have constituted themselves stale,
and applied 10 Congress to admit them as such
into the federal Union. Congress has power
to admit the new state thus organized. The
favorable exercise Of that power will terminate
aud crown the revolution. Once a stale, the
people of Kansas can preserve internal order,
aud defend themselves against invasion. Thus,
the constitutional remedy is as eieciual as il is
peaceful and simple.
This is the remedy for the evils existing in
the territory of Kansas, which ! propose
Happily, there is no need TO prove ii to be eth
er a lawful one or a proper one, or the only
possible one. The president Of The United
States and the committee on territories unani-
mously concede all this broad giound, because
he recommends il, and they adopt it.
} Wherein, then, do differ from them Sim
ply thus. propose TO apply the remedy now,
by admitting the new state with its present pop
( Uiaiion and present constitution. Ny oppo-
nents insis, on poslponng the measure until the
territory shall be conceded by the usurping au-
thorities 10 contain 93, 700 inhabitants, and un-
til those authorities shall direct aud authorize
the people to organize a new state, under a new
constitution In other words, propose to al
low the people of Kansas to apply the consiiiu-
iional remedy a, once. The president propo-
ses 10 defer /, indefinitely, and 10 commit the
entire application of it TO the hands Of the Mis-.
souri, borderers. lie coniesses the inadequacy
Of that course By asking appropriations Of mon
ey to enable him TO maintain and preserve or
der within the territory until the indefinite pc
riod when the constitutional Iemedy shall be
applied. There is no sufficient reason for the
delay which the president advises. lie admits
the rightfulness and necessity OF the remedy.
/ 1t is as rightful and necessary now as it ever
will be. 1t is demanded by the condition and
circumstances OF the people of Kansas now
You cannot justly postpone any more than you
can justly deny, that right. To postpone would
he denial. The President will need no grant
Of money, or armed men, to enforce obedience
to law, when you shall have redressed the
wrongs Of which the people complain. Even
under governments less free than our own,
there is no need Of power where jnstice holds
/ the helm. When justice is impartially admin
istered, the obedience of the subject or citizen
will be voluntary, cheerful, and practically un-
limited. Freedom justly due cannot be conce-
ded too soon. True freedom exists, the utmost
bounds Of civil liberty are obtained, only where
complaints are freely heard, deeply considered
and speedily redressed So only can you re-
store to Kansas the perfect freedom which you
pledged, and she has lost.
The constitution does not prescribe 90 700
or any other number of people, as necessary tc
constitute state. Besides, under the present
ratio Of increase, Kansas, whose population
now is 10000, will number 100, 900 in few
months. The point made concerning uumberl
is therefore practically unimporlant and trivo
lous. Tho president objects that the past pro
ceedings by which the new state of Kansas wa
organized, were irregular in three respects
First. That they were instituted, conducted
and completed without a previous permission
hv Cnnorass or he The lncal authoKitiaa ,vi,l,i,