The Feliciana Democrat., 1857-07-18
Cbt ,ftIitiana 9sn,otrat.
KANSAS.

question; DuU lne just pTlilClpc vi popui"i so'
ereignty is still involved. And it is highly
important. Indispensable to the secnri-
ty of the South and the integrity of the Union
that it shall be enforced and maintained.
The convention to assemble in September for
the formation of a Constitution, preparatory to
the application Of Kansas for admission as a
State, will, we suppose determine and declare
who may and who may not vote for the rejec-
ton or ratification of the Constitution. II, in
accordance with the mischievous suggestions
of Governor Walker 1t should be submitted
to all the inhabitants who are in the territory
ut the time the vote is to be taken, there will
be neither fairness nor justness nor legality in
the proceeding; and whether approving ignor'
ing or condemnng slavery, If accepted under
such circumstances, Congress should unhcstat-
ingly close the doors of the Union to the peo.
Pile of X nnsas, until they come with Consti-
tuition fairly ratified by the free and full sense
of those, and none but those who, according
to the legitimate territorial laws are entitled
to exercise the elective frachise. The condi.
tion of Kansas is peculiar. Almost all the
settlers have been but comparatively short
time in the territory: aud meeting there as
they did from all quarters Of the country, and
with associations and opinions on the slavery
question as antagonistic as fire and water, and
urged on as each party was by its supporters
Mt home, extending through fifteen or sixteen
States of the Union, it was not to be expected
that the incongruous elements of their society
would assimilate easily, or that they would be
even as pacific in their intercourse as it is usual
in all newly settled countries. The Southern
men were anxious to introduce slavery, and
the Northern men went into the territory with
Il rancorous hatred against it, And hence the
sad scenes of civil war that have been enacted
there. The question is about to be decided
And there is, we think little doubt that the
pro-slavery settlers have abandoned the idea
of success
That Kansas cannot, il we may so express
it, be made q natural ally Of the South, iden.
tilted in institutions, in interest and in destiny
with us, is truly to be regretted. But, since
it is SO, we have only to demand that there
shall be no foul play, no unfair dealing in the
means by which we are TO be beaten. All
we ask, according to the Constitution and the
spirit of our government, is that the people
shall be left free to determine for themselves
the character Of their own domestic institutions
This is the important principle at stake, and
for or against us, the decision must be made
frankly, fearlessly and only by those who art
rightfully invested with the privilege of express
ing preference at the polls; and to this END
alone is it important that the Constitution tc
he submitted to the people of Kansas next Fal
shall not be subject to the decision of an,
other citizens than those who, by the recogniz
ed territorial laws, are entitled to vote. Shoult
the convention itself declare that all the terri
tory ut the time it is submitted for the sens
of the people shall be entitled to an express
ion of opinion at the polls on the subject
whether the Constitution shall be receivedor re
iccted, pro-slavcry or free-soil such decision
should not be accepted as representing the vii
of the people, and eXcmplifying the paramount
principle of the Nebraska Kansas bill. Eve
in Virginia. a citizen of one county, who ma
have been a. voter for forty years, if he remove
into the next county, probably not one mil
from the place of his birth, is not entitled
until the expiration of twelve months to vot
for State officer in whose election he is equal
ly interested, whether he lives in one portion
of the State or another And surely, if mel
who arrive in Kansas on the morning of tn
day on which the Constitution is to be submit
ted to the people, are to be allowed to yot
upon the organic law of new State Rcpub
Iicanism has reached an extreme which NJ
'o'tihhi'ne vi pSoPio Sau cnuic.
There must be some standard of citizenship
and political prcrogative among every people
who profess to govern themselves And i
would seem strange, that though laws wcr,
enacted by the territorial legislature of Kansas
prescribing the qualifications of voters for rep
resentatives in the Convention, there is still
question, whether there shall be any dscrimi
nation among those who happen to be in thu
territory on the day Of election; whether they
have been there year, or an hour. The elec
tive franchise is the essence of Democracy but
like liberty, it must have some hound SOM
restraint to prevent its abuse, and protect so
cicty from absolute license. 1t is true, thu
same length of residence would not be appli
cable alike to Kansas and any of the old States
But the standard should be adjusted according
to circumstances and the immediate emergen
cy. A residence of two years is required o
every voter in Virginia, why not twelve, O
six, or three months in Kansas? And If ther
is to be distinction made, it should exten,
the term of residence instead of lessening il
for those who may vote upon the Constitution
for the reason that the territorial legislation
temporary, while the organic law is to Civ
"a