Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1857-12-15
Twill read some extracts from

q
General Assembly of Arkansas to pass any law
for the purpose of electing members to form
constitution and State government, or to do any
other act directly OF Indirectly, to create such
new government. Every such law, even though
it were approved be- the Governor of the Terri
tory. would be null and void. If passed by
them, notwithstanding his veto, by vote OF
two.thiris of each branch, it would still be
equally void. -..-.. :,
will then follow that the course OF the Govern.
or in declining to call together the Territorial
Legislature for the purpose in question was such
rs his legal duties required; and that the views
he has expressed in his public address, and also
in his official communication to yourself, so far
as they indicate an intention not to sanction OIL
concur in any legislative or other proceedings
towards the formation of State government
until Congress shall have authorized it, are also
correct"
Mr.. D. then passes on to that clause in the
Presidents Message, which asserts that the
slavery clause has been fairly submitted, and
here is theway in which he comments upon that;
Let me ask, sir, is the slavery clause fairly
submitted, so that the people can vote for or
against it? Suppose were citizen of Kansas,
and should go up to the polls and say, 81 desire.
TO vote to make Kansas a slave State; here ismy
ballot" They reply to me, ''Mr. Douglas, Just
vote for that constitution first, if you please"
ooh, nom l answer, 81 cannot vote for that
constitution conscientiously. l am opposed to
the clause by which you locate certain railroads
in such way as to sacrifice my county and my
part of the State. am opposed to that bank
ing system. am opposed to this Know-Noth-
ing or American clause in the constitution about
the qualification for office / cannot vote for
it." Then they answer, You shall not vote on
making it a slave State" l then say, II want
to make it a free State" They reply, "Vote
for that constitution first, and then you can vote
| to make it a free State; otherwise you cannot.
Thus they disqualify every free State man who
will not first vote for the constitutions they dis
qualify every slave State man who will not first
vote for the constitution. No matter whether
or not the voters state that they cannot con-
scientiou$ly vote for those provisions, they re-
! ply, ''You cannot vote for or against slavery
here Take the constitution as We have made
it, take the elective franchise as we have estab-
lished it, take the banking system as we have
dictated it, take the railroad lines as we have
located them, take the judiciary 6, stem as we
have formed it, take it all as we have fixed it to
suit ourselves and ask no questions, but vote
for it. or you shall not vote either for or against
| free State" In other words, the legal effect of
the schedule is this: All those who are in ia
vor of this constitution may vote for or against
slavery as they please; but all those who are
against this constitution are DISTINGUISHED, and
| shall not vote at all. This is the mode in which
| the slavery proposition is submitted. Every
man opposed to the constitution is DISTINGUISHED
on the slavery clause. How many are they !?
They tell you there is majority, for they say
the constitution will be voted down instantly
by all overwhelming majority if you ALLOW n
negative vote This shows that majority are
against it
Here comes Mr. DIS declaration of indepen-
dence and we call the attention of our neighbor
read Mr. D. out Of tie party ahd east tmr o he's
into the ranks of the Republicans. Does our
neighbor do likewise? Does our neighbor any
longer acknowledge him? But here are the fare
well words:
If this constitution is to be forced down our
threats, in violation of the fundamental principle
of free government, under mode of submis-
sion that is a mockery and insult, painful as il
will be to me, must break all association or
connexions rather than forfeit my principles.
have no fear of any party associations being
severed l should regret to see social and po-
litica ties severed; but if il must be, if can
not act with you and preserve my faith and,my
honor, will stand on the gr> at principle of popu-
lar sovereignty, which declares the right of all
people to be left perfectly free to form and regu
l will follow that principle wherever its legal
and logical consequences may take me, and ]
will endeavor to defend it against assault from
responsible for my action but myself By my
action will cOmpromit no man.
-S-&.OeA- -s-s-4--a.f
The Argus on SherraTd Clemens, Again
To day We publish the personal explanation
of NTr FO ayx-hip