The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-07-17
KANSAS ArFAIRs -ooNrINuEp.

We have proved that the action of the administration
was Identical with the views of those who brought it
into power and clearly and unquestionably right and
pies of the administration were assailed by those
who understood neither, and not because events in
Kansas demanded unusual scrutiny, and especially
not by those who neither reside there nor have any
peculiar local interest in the form substance of
ler institutions. Instead of having done wrongful
act the administration simply provided for protect
ing the people of Kansas in doing rightful and
highly proper one. Neither the Executive nor his
representatives directed the people what to do but
presuming they would act like wise and prudent
men, and others had done in many States, the Pres
ident anticipated rational necessity, and thought
fully provided for it. 1t has formed portion Of
the democratic policy to dictate to the people of Kan
sas how they shall manage their own affairs Their
organic act committed these things TO their own con
troll. If they act wisely happy consequences will
follow If they act unwisely the contrary result must
be expected. Wisdom and folly can never produce
the same consequences
Our suggestions heretofore have been confined to
advising the people to act but not how they should
act The assault upon the President for anticipating
that the constitution, when formed, would be sub
mitted to the people, and providing in that con-
tingency, for their protection, seemed to render 1T
proper to show that such provision in accord
ance with democratic principles and usage, and that
he was justified in anticipating and providing for it.
But we disclaim any intention of influencing the
action of the voters of Kansas in their local matters
though we shall exert oursef to secure the ascend
ency of the democratic party there and everywhere
They know far better than we what their interests
and their honor, frank, honorable, and generous
men, require them to do. We know far less than
they the circumstances which surround them, lead
ing to the formation of opinions and impeing to ac
tion Doubtless every democrat has formed opinions
upon many of the questions which have arisen, but
with differing means of arriving at correct conclu-
sions and some may have expressed them with com
mendable motives; but no true and wise democrat
will assume that people ont Of Kansas have right
to dictate to her what institutions she shall frame
how she shall proceed in adopting them. New Jer
sey would never submit to dictation from New York
Pennsylvania in forming or adopting her insttu-
tons. The whole South felt outraged at the attempt
to control the institutions of Missouri at the time Of
her admission. Arkansas and Michigan would resent
an impertinent interference of New England and
New York in relation to their institutions as they
did in 1886, when their constitutions violently
assailed by the abotonists and native Americans
the former account of its provisions concerning
slavery and the latter for comforting the right Of suf
frage upon resident aliens. The same principle is
universally asserted in every State. Each feels and
declares its independence and justly rebukcs imper-
tinent interference The South strongly insists that
the aboitoniss of the North shall not interfere with
the institution of slavery within her limits while
the North asserts its rights to legisate for itself
upon that as well as other subjects. The same
principle is equally applicable to Kansas and is
ognised in her organic act, in word and spirit, and
has been everywhere endorsed by the democratic
party. Meddlesome interference in her affairs has
been loudly condemned by all not led estray by po-
litcal agitators.
The course of South Carolina towards Mr. Hoar
whom Massachusetts, sent thther oficousy to inter-
NEEDLE with matters connected with Slavery, cannot
have been overlooked by any intelligent observer of
events. The whole democratic party-ndeed, near
y every citizen not drawn into the support of one of
the twenty Fremonts last year-strongy condemned
and denounced the interference of northern aid soci-
cites and hearess and anatical politicians in the af-
fairs of Kansas. The blood which was she'd the ar
sons, robberies, and crimes committed there, were
charged and with great proprety, to the wrongful
ntermeddling of those residing out of Kansas in mat
ters which the act Of Congress had committed solely
to her people 1t is matter Of history that the ne
cessities of failing politicians occasioned most of
the evils which befell Kansas and have induced
the prolonged effort to fasten upon her people the
illegitmate bantling of Lane, Robinson, Reeder &
CO., called the Topeka constitution. With so much
evidence before cannot believe that the demo-
cratic party out of Kansas any portion ofit will
seriously attempt to control her action in framing and
has conformed its action to that Of Wisconsin in al
lowing Indians to VOTE still voice has been raised
outside her limits against it, because it affair
wholly her No State has yet complained against
sister State for submitting, or refusing to submit
her constitution to her people after ii was framed.
State action upon these subjects has at no time form
ed the basis of action in other States, or by the fed
eral government, because the matter was local. and
the good i'll resulting from it would be confined to
those who had acted wisely or otherwise.
From whom should complaints be expected, if the
administration has been wrong In its actonn Kansas
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