The American. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1857, 1857-12-16
KANSAS.-THE DEMOCRACY.
THE SPOILS.


The first session of the thirty fifth Congress- has
opened. Following Immediately the Inauguration Of
a new administration its labors have been looked
forward to with intense interest. Up to the pre-
sent period strong hopes had been entertained
that the distractng sectional difficulties which had
hung as an incubus around its predecessor would
be removed from Congress. The Democracy
coming successfully out Of the canvass ofls56 had
promised that the prestige of their victory would
act as charm in establishing harmony where dis
cord had reigned and their subsequent legislation
should be a counter spell to the Vaccinations OF
the evil genii who have been 30 long eEdangering
our peace and prosperity. The political storm
which they had raised by the repeal of the Missouri
Compromise was forever to be hushed in the gene
raj return of fraternal feeling between the different
sections Of the coniederacy, in Short the election
Of Mr.. Buchanan and the advent OF a Congress
democratic in both branches was the panacea for
"all the clouds which lowered upon our house"
How far these promises, upon the faith of which
men who never have soiled their record of opposi-
ton to modern democracy save in this isolated in
stance, have been fulfilled we shall see by sim
cal armament 1t is idle to endeavor, under the
cry Of" ais WELL to distract public attention from
the fact that the present condition of affairs in
Kansas Territory is threatening in the extreme,
and that the pent up excitement there, has by a
direct metastasis located itself in the halls of our
National Legislature. But two short years ago,
the defenders and supporters of the Kansas Ne
braska act in stentorian tones asserted in these
very halls, that the true intent and meaning of this
act was to confirm to the people of the territories
the right to regulate their domestic affairs as best
they might think proper, but no sooner has a firm
and most decided expression Of public opinion been
had on this most important topic of domestic policy
than all the efforts of the Democracy are aroused
directly to thwart the win of an immense majority
ofthe actual residents Of the territory. Under a
most unjust apportionment 90 called convention
is elected to frame constitution for Kansas, and
these very immaculate shriekers for popular
rights" now sndeavor to thrust down the throats
| Of the people of Kansas this constitution without
a shadow of popular ratification, and this too by
an act Of Congress, while these same men have all
along been telling us that Congress had no right
TO interfere in the affairs of Territorial government
SO far the institution of slavery was concerned
Thesolenn pledge givenby Gov. Walker, presumed
TO be the mouth piece of the administration, that
no Constitution should be adopted save by popu.
lar ratification, has been wantonly violated, not by
him, but by those whose agent he was, and who
could never have obtained bis agency for the anti
republican project they now have determined on.
Such Is the present condition of affairs in this
distracted territory. How do the Democracy pro-
pose to meet the issues They have unsealed the
poison fountain Of Undine, and its bitter waters
are gushing forth in scalding jets, which may yet
teach the American people by the scorpion lash Of
civil war, that there are still men left " who know
their rights, and knowing, dare maintain" Still
with all the present and prospective evil looking
them in the face, they open our National Legisla.
ture by lodging the very question which they too
well know Is producing intense anxiety In every
section Of the Confederacy, and this, too, because
the Democracy well know that once let the sub
ject be fully discussed, and the Heterogeneous ele
ments Of their organization viii be driven 30 far
asunder that not even the tempting spois can
bring them again int efficient combination. Like
politicians and political juggers, and not like states
men, have they approached this Kansas question
Yes, this is a whirlwind Of their own raising, and
now that the peting storm is upon us, they, safely
settled in Office, quietly close their eyes to the
threatening danger, and enter heart and soul into
distribution Of the spoils; thus giving assuranc,
to tho country and the world that all questions o
political economy are secondary ~ the securin,
these same spoils, which, If the opinions Of thos'
who seek them could only be obtained, would a.
from their grasp on account Of the utter impossi
blity of reconciling the diverse views Of the har
,nonious Democracy. Certainly no other construc
ton can be put on the course of the dominan
party in Congress than that above given. Reso
luton. deprecatng the present condition Of affair
in Kansas, il was boldly stated in advance, woul,
be ruled out of order, as they might have a ten
dency to disturb the councils Of the party in powe
and delay the giving out Of Offices. Where in on
country's history can parallel be found for sucl
political degradation; such daring trifng will
sacred trusts The acknowledgment has gone u
the world that the present dominant party, tn
immaculate Democracy, have assembled in tn
nations metropolis to give away the nations mean
and allow the furnished honor Of the Republic u
End q remedy as best Il may. The surcst road b