Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1857-12-17

iOiOhO0 wiz oe given historical IaeS, or thus0
connected with the locality of Vermont.
1t is impossible at the present moment to fore
see the result of the difficulties now existing in
Kansas, in regard to the Lecompton Coastitu-
ton, which the desperate men composing the
Convention assembled at that place, undertook.
by the aid Of the Administration, to thrust up-
on the people of that Territory, against their
will, and contrary to the professions of those
who voted for and advocated the passage of the
Kansas Nebraska act.
We need not here repeat our oft-expressed
adherence of an act which put it in the power
of men to fasten the fangs of Slavery on vast
Territory, already dedicated to Freedom by a
solemn act OF the Government. We do not ad
NIT that men have right to make constitu.
lions or laws reconizing human bondage, al
though they may have the power so to do. The
Government having no right within itself to
exact the labor of its citizens, without compen-
satlon, should DO slow to delegate that power
to any portion of its inhabitants, either in the
settlement of Territories, Or the organization of
a State.
But according to our plan of government,
nothing is palmer to the common understand
ing of the people, than their right to adopt or
reject the Constitution under which they are to
live, and by which they are to be governed as a
state and subjected to as citizens. This right
In ordinary cases, seems too plain and selfevi-
dent to need comment but in the case under
consideration, it presents itself in a ten fold
stronger sense. Such had been the WORKING of
fraud In Kansas, that the Convention making
the Constitution was elected by small minor
ny OF the citizens of the Territory. The mem
bers of the Convention were the mera se,,,n ~
the minority party, and their doings a,e repu-
dated not only BY the Free State men, but BY
the more respectable pro-sayery men who voted
for their election.
Gov Walker and Secretary Stanton, both
emanatlng from Slave States, and partial to the
institution of Slavery were so dissatisfied with
the imposition that this Convention undertook
to palm off upon the people that they openly
condemned its doings, and appealed to the Pres
i1ent to dlscountenance the fraud.
Who would have believed that under This
state OF facts, and after instructing Governor
walker to have the Constitution submitted to
the people, the President would wink at the
frand' and favor the imposition by forcing the
Constitution upon the people, and finally turn
out the Secretary while in the honest discharge
Of his duties
VIII the Democrats who have heretofore
supported the Administration in Vermont. back
the President in his course Are they so we'd
ded to party as blindly to follow after such a
lead : Will they swallow the pettifogging of
the last Patriot, and believe that the exception
OF the " right of property in slaves now in the
Territory y " is simply FALSE" and amounts to
nothing! or will they believe as the truth real
~ u.s. that if the people vote either way as pre-
posed by the Convention, they are compelled to
vote for Slauery in greater or less degree
We confess that of late we have not been an
admrer OF Senator Douglas, but our determin-
alton, now as ever, to give credit where credit
is due, prompts us TO applaud his course in this
matter, as being not only right but consistent
with his former professions. Nor do we stop to
inquire about his motives, or believe it profta-
BILE for others to do so. We can see a motive
which should influence him above all Others.
and which we have the charity to accord to MIN
that is, 10 do right. We shall regard him az
influenced by this consideration until we have
preof to the contrary. We think honesty of
purpose is the motiue that should influence every
man-pofttcidns as well as consituents-and we
hope Senator Douglas is convinced of this fact
His present course certainly indicates that such
are his convictions viii the Democrats of
Vermont rally around him, and strengthen him
+ in his course or will they be influenced bv
those who have no higher aim than the spoils
Of Office
1.-THE inhabitants of Kansas can have a chance
Z to make their own Constitution, we have M
fears for the result but if they are to be de
prvod of this privileges, let tho consequences be
= charged where it belongs for it will be ne small
item in the catalogue of human misery and woe
n which must fall upon that people, and we fea,
$ also upon our common country.
/ We shall anxously watch the progress of mat
q ters' both in Kansas and in Congress, and shall
c keep our readers advised of the actions both NJ
the Politicians aud the People