Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1857-12-18

ldCt iuAt III oobfc utstTltfs uc1eR1teS may
be elected by small majorities, whilst in
others those of different sentiments may
receive majorities sufficiently great not
only to overcome the votes given for the
former, but to leave large majority Of
the whole people in direct opposition
to a majority Of the delegates Be-
sides, our history proves that influences
may be brought to bear on the represen-
tative sufficiently powerful to induce him
to disregard the will of his constituents
The truth is, that no other authentic and
satisfactory mode exists of ascertaining the
will of majority of the people of any
State or Territory on an important and
exciting question Ike that Of slavery in
Kansas, except by leaving it to direct
vote. How wise, then, was it FOR Con-
gress to pass over all subordinate and in
termediate agencies, and proceed directly
to the source of all legitimate power under
our institutions How vain would any
other principle prove in practice !! This
may be illustrated by the case of Kansas
Should she be admitted into the Union,
with constitution either maintaining or
abolishing slavery, against the sentiment
of the people, this could have no other ef-
feet than to continue and to exasperate
the existing agitation during the brief pc.
riod required to make the constitution con-
form to the irresistible will of the major
ity.
''The friends and supporters Of the Ne
braska and Kansas act, when struggling
/ 20 -.
provisions before the great tribunal Of the
American people, never differed about its
true meaning on this subject. Every
where throughout the Union they publicly
pledged their faith and their honor, that
they would cheerfully submit the ques-
ton of slavery to the decision Of the bona
fae people Of Kansas, without any rsstric-
tion or qualification whatever. All were
cordially united upon the great doctrine
of popular sovereignty which is the VI
tai principle of our free institutions. Had
it then been insinuated from any quarter
that it would be sufficient compliance
with the requisi.ions of the organic law
for the members of convention, thereaf.
ter to be elected, to withhold the ques-
tion Of slavery from the people, and to
substitute their own will for that of ls-
gally .ascertained majority of all their con.
stituents, this would have been instantly
rejected. Everywhere they remained true
to the resolution adopted on . celebrated
occasion recognizing the right of tie peo-
pie of all the Territories Kan.
sas and Misunderstanding through the 10
gally and fairly expressed ,rM Of majori.
ty of actual residents, and whenever the
number of their inhabitants justi6es it, TO
form, a constitution, with or without slave
~, and be admitted into the Union upon
terms of perfect equality with the other
States
"The convention to frame . oonstitu-
tion for Kansas met on the first Monday
of September last They were called to-
gether by virtue of an act of the territorial
legislature, whose lawful existence had
been recognized by Congress in different
forms and by different euactments. A
large portion of the citizens of Kansas
did not think proper to register their
names and to vote at the election for del.
egaies; but an opportunity to do this
having been fairly afforded, their refusal
to avail themselves of their right could in
no manner affect the legality of the con-
yeution.
s'This convention proceeded to frame Q
constitution for Kansas, and finally ad-
journed on the 7th day of November. But
little difficulty occurred in the convention,
except on the subject of slavery. The
trnth is that the general provisions of our
recent State constitutions are so similar
and, may add, so exsellent-that the
difference between them is not essential.
Under the earlier practice of the govern
ment, no constitution framed by the con-
venticn of Territory preparatory to its
admission into the Union as State, had
been admitted to the people. l trust
however, the example set BY the last Con-
gress, requiring that the Constellation OF
Minnesota Should be subject to the ap-
prordi and ratification of the people Of the
proposed State, may be followed on fx-
ture occasions. Itook 1t for granted that
Me coaycntion of Kansas would act in ac-
cordoncc nth this example, founded, as it
is, on correct principles, and hence my in
structions to Gov Walker, in taror Of sub
mittiny the constitution to the people, were
expressed in general and unqualified
terms"
Here let US take little rest. The men
who made the Lecompton Constitution
were elected by less than 1000 out Of
$4,000 votes. We know of no Constitu-
tion, formed by body not called BY tho
people concerned, and known to be abhor-
rent to their wishes, which has beon forced
upon any State of this Union! You, Mr..
s., can not name such a case. You
know that the honest, real citizens Of
Kansas did not call that Convention-nor
did Congress call that Convention-uor
do the people approve its Constitution.
1t is an infamous imposition, from the
bastard Legislature that appointed it, to
the false Executive who is now seeking to
slide it upon an unwilling people. We in
Pennsylvania roie for our Constitutions,
and for every separate amendment, and
so in other States as far as we know