Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-12-31

SO essential to the very existence of govern
meht: The Democratic party recognised the
legality of the Territorial Legislature of Kan
sas. The opposition declared against il on the
ground that it violated % the will of the ma
Jority.' The issue was made before the conn
try and the people decided in the election of
Mr.: Buchanan In favor Of the Democratic party
and the law. At every stage Of the Kansas
question this issue has arrived, and inst az
often as it has been presented has the Demo
cratic party taken its position on the side of
the law Upon this rock it has placed ITSELF
and all the storms of Black Republicanism
have failed to prevail against it.
The AbOlitiOnists of Kansas endeayored to
Justify their rebellion by a false appeal to
great principle, which they vanly sought to
prostitute to their unholy purposes Their con-
tempt for the will of the majority was only
equalled by their disregard of the law. With
all their profession on this subject, they now
refuse TO vote when the opportunity is fully
aud fairly presented of ascertaining the real
VIII OF the majority, in accordance with the
provisions of law. No settlement of the aues-
tion is acceptable to them unless il is made in
defiance of law, and at the cost Of anarchy and
bloOdshed. The pretext has been spurned when
resorted to by them, and it certainly derives
no additional strength from the fact that it has
found new advocates and defenders
The Territorial Legislature of Kansas thus
recognized by the Democratic party, submitted
to the people the question, shall there be a Con-
vcntiOn to form a State Constitution? The
people at the polls decided that such Conven-
tiOn should be called. In conformity to their
decision the Legislature called the Convention,
and the delegates were elected in accordance
with the provisions of law-the opposition de-
elarng at each step, that I" the will of the ma
jOrity was disregsrded," and the Democratic
party adhering firmly to its impregnable posi-
ton of standing by the law" The Lecompton
L.
submitted to vote Of the people the slavery
clause. The opposition renew the old clamor
about = the will Of the majority" which is
again responded to by the Democratic party,
by holding up the Constitution and the law
Whatever there may have been in this pretext
heretofore, the action of the Lecompton Con-
stitution in submitting the slavery question to
a vote Of all the bona fdc inhabitants of the
Territory, has swept from the opposition the
last vestige for complaint. The opportunity
was presented on the 21st inst, to all the bona
fde inhabitants Of Kansas, of deciding for
themselves whether Kansas should be a free or
slave State.
If the Black Republicans of Kansas refuse to
vote, and seek by all the means in their power to
prevent others from voting, in order to keen
up the scenes of violence and bloodshed which
have so long destroyed the peace and quiet of
that Territory, ii constitutes no good reason
why the Democratic party should abandon it's
principles and unite with its enemies in disre-
garding the law. The law-abiding citizens of
Kansas desire to make known their will in the
mode prescribed by the laws of the country.
Those who trample upon the law and spurn its
Obligations, do not deserve to be heard or re-
spected
This brief review Of the Kansas question.
shows that we are meeting an old issue, though
10 some extent In new hands. 1t has been sue
cessfulIy met heretofore by the Democratic
A0lerInU ybaI
be able to meet it again Our past triumph
leave no doubt of future results The faithful
maintenance of our principles is the great ele-
ment Of Democratic strength. AS il has marked
our history In the past, 20 it will in the future
80 Tar as the question Of slavery in Kansas
Is concerned, have shown that the policy of
the DemOcratic-pArty has been to recognize the
law. and TO carry out the will of the people as
made known in the manner prescribed by law
The admission of Kansas rs a State refers the
whole question to its citizens for their final de-
cislOn. as IL has been referred to the peopIe of
every other State in the Union. The opposi-
tion to this policy finds its main element of
strength In the desire of our opponents to keep
up the excitement which has so long distracted
the country. The real issue is between peace
aud quiet on the one hand; and excitement,
turmoil and bleodshed on the other The de-
oision oil The people upon such an issue cannot
he a matter OF doubt. Every good citizen is
willing that Kansas shall be a free or slave
State, just as her people may prefer, and her
admission as State in conformity to the &c
ton OF the LccomptOn Convention will ensure
that result: This being done, peace will be
restored in Kansas, and quiet in the balance of
the country, and the Democratic party will
have the qualification Of knowing that it has
all bcen accomplished through its own fair,
just and Constitutional principles. I am very
respectfully yours, HOWELL COBB.
To Messrs. Pitt, Witte, and others
LETTER FROM Hon. JoHS B. FLOYD.