New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-12-18
TIE KANSAS QUESTION:
apEECa OF MIR. COX OF OHIO,

~ TIE HOUSE OF REPRfsEsTArIyEs, Dc IT,
From the speech Of the Hon. Samuel - Co4, upon
the right Of people of Ksusss 10 govern themselves
delivered on Wednesday the 10th inst, We make sach
extracts as our space admits Of:
dear 10 his heart is the peace Of the country tna'
the President is ready to make great sscfinces 70 pre-
serve t. not alone abroad but in home relations;
not alone between tie States, bu, between the peo-
ple Of the States and between the pon '.r'
upon our borders Herein is 10 be found the soiu-
ton Of that part Of his Message with reference 10
Kansas.
While the President lays down his general principle
of subn tng the whole Constitution to the people
he sub ordinates the question to tina; OF peace. lie
thinks it right to stard by the principle, bu' mex
pedent TO do 10 in the present apect OF al Ans III
Kansas.
But, in my Judgment, there will be no peace nom
this admission Of Kansas under the Lscompton Con-
stitution. EIpediency is a dangerous doctrine "neh
in collision with principles There can be no peace 70
that people while their rights are jeopardedi cetasly
more in that il.stsrred Territory, if the attempt TO
gain paIssn sscendsncy there be founded In stra.a
gem and fraud. If every question OF difference oe
not honestly submitted 70 the whole people, and Do
cded without restraint hnderarce, no otner deViee
can be framed which will insure quiet II there be
a Judss there will be en- Aceldams. Kansas WI be
that field Of blood .,
But whether there be peace not, would no. CSC
r6ce the principle involved herein for any peace tha
can be purchased. ,
That principle is stated by Mr.. Buchanan, in his
message thus: c.-.,.
Under earlier practice Of the Government no con,ta
into Union State had been submitted to me
psoP trust ns Of snnsc. should be
to approval and of the people OF the propose
sea that the Convention Of Ksns. would &C, in accordance
Vita this ss%R TO %s IN
ting the Consultation to the people were expressed III genera
and unqualified terms" 1T, .,l / =
cannot now recommend its application, eE post Jdcto
with reference to Ksnsss, He hopes 1t may be here
after adopted universally. agree with hun, ana the
whole Democracy OF the nation agree WIN nun Oh
this last proposition. Because may lrslst on lts ap
phcaton to Kansas yet it does not follow that
am indifferent much less unfrendy, to the success OF
his Administr alton.
True, the President, n his Message, has ex-
pressed his opinion that the "question has been
fairly and explicitly referred to the people rhether
"they riH hare Constitution ruin or onh0ut
SlGcuy" He has instituted an argument Ia favor
of the legality Of the Lecompton Constitution
while be also expresses bis uDsosted faith IN the
wisdcm Of the general principle Of submitting the
whole Constitution. But be takes care to avoid any
recommendation to Congress. Our action Is q 91h
peded by party feslty. II it were thus impeded II the
President had recommend different course, should
not hesitate to ssy that as Congress has the ex u-
sve right to admit States should pursue the ooiss-
tons Of my sworn duty. The Administration Is the
trustee Of the party within its own sphere of duty 10
this phere it is entitled to our confidence IL sh all
receive my whole hearted support. But as 10 the
question 10 my own sphere, may be allowed - repre-
recent my people. | am not OF the opinion OF the
old the gians, that man nust be willing to De
eternally damned for an imputed sim bsfore he
cen be saved. In thus deciding conscience, honor,
pledges and constituency, all compel me to Stand
H. nar noIipy-WllCh
the vbole Constitution to the whole people
This Administration called into being by virtue
This Democratic majority is due to the sscendsncy
of this principle. =,
You, Mr.. Speaker, owe your high place to the
fidelity Of those who sustained that priociPe.
maintain:
l. That the highest refinement and greatest utility
of Democratic polcy-the genius OF our institutions
is the tight Of selfgOverrment
3 That HE self gov eminent meant the will Of the
majority, legally-f ytu please, legally expressed.
s. That this selfgOveIpment and majority rule were
sacredly guaranteed in the organic act OF Kansas
l. That il was gusianteed upon the question OF
Slavery in terms; and generally with respect to all the
domestic il stituions Of the people. 49,
s. That domestic institutions meant all which are
"lOca rot nstioLal-Stae, not Federal IL meaa'
that and that only that always.
6. That the people were to be lef perfectly free 10
establish or aboh Slavery, as well as to form and
regulate their other institutions.
&.
the Conftderacy by the Democracy; fixed IN their ma
ons platform asserted by their speakers and presses
reiterated by their candidates. incorporated IN mes
ssges and instucoLs and formed the feature which
distrg ushed the Democracy from It's opponents, who
maintained the doctrine Of Congressional Intervention
lin proof Of the seventh proposition, MIR. Cox cites
TIE Cincinnati Platform the Presidents Inaugural
| Gov. Wa kers Acceptance and Address, Mr. Buchan
ans SilliInan Letter Instructions to Gov. Walker
Gov. Walkers Inaugural, and John Calhouns
| pledges.
Having thus shown the pledges OF the Den ocracy to
| the people Of Kansas, affirm:
g. That TO be found recIeant 10 them now when the
practical test is upon US would be gross breach Of
faith ard disgracefa desertion OF duty, for which
| there is 10 escape fiom public condemnation.
9. That the approval Of the Lecompton Constitu'
ton however the election Of the 2lst Of december
next may eveItuste, whether there bs Slave State
OF Free State, involves this breach OF faith aud
desertiOp Of ou.y; because,
Fua. That Constitution, while il is asserted that it
is subm eo to the people in the essential point thus
recognizing obligation TO submit it In some mode,
cannot in any event, be rejected by the people OF
Ksrs.s. The vote must be for Its approval, whether
be Ill wiling to take either Of the propositions and yet
must vote one or the other of them. They have to
vote Constitution with Slavery" or "Constituton
without Slsvsry;" but the Constitution they must
take. They have no business with the Constitution
Slavery they may dabb in. With that they grs-
ciousy permitted to NEEDLE. But for their organic
law IIaIds off ye plebeians your ouch is unhoy p
They come to exercise their viii at the polr. They
fiji clencbed fst on either hand. No open palm,
uni. So first they give up their franchise TO the Con-
stitrtiop Then oh! then, they may be per ntted to
vote on ore subject only. Is there Democrat here
who would stand thst If there is. he ought to 60
Wett and learn little Of tue character of these indie
ptndeIt men Of the border.
A scLeme like this to submit part Of the Consttd.
,op wbi il pr.teIds 70 submit ell, device tain
as 10 have no upper ror under side 1t trsuspar
en that lite statent Mt lie its badge OF fraud. II is an
attempt 10 cary out sautay principle in part which