The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1857-12-23
Non.ln.erventlon.


NOn-lnservCntion.
The great object oftbe patriots Of 1850 was
to take the question Of slarsry out Of Congress.
And after much strife and contention, the ques-
ton was settled and the principle laid down in
the Baltimore platform Of 1852, and in the Gin.
cinnati platform OF 1876.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. by CONGRESS- WITH
SLAVERY in STATE or Tsrritry."
From this principle it necessarily followed
that the people of the Territories were to be left
free "to Jo,n. their institutions in their o,cn
upay; and it is so declared in the Kansas Ne
braska Bill And of course they have the right
to form their constitution and be admitted into
the Union with or without slavery; and to that
effect is the Cincinnati platform
"Resolrei, That we recognize the right Of the
people of all the Territories, including Kansas
and Nebraska, acting through the fairly express
sed viii Of the majority of actual residents, and
whenever the number OF their inhabitants, justi-
fies it, to form consultation, with or without
domestic slavery and be admitted into the Uni
on upon terms Of perfect equality with the 9TH
er States"
Now, 'the fairly expressed will of the major
ity Of actual residents" usually means-what?
Simply that they shall have the right and priv
ilege of voting for such men as shall represent
their will and desire at the proper time and
place of action. Such is the usual way of conn
ing at the expressed will Of the majority in mat
ters, moro especially, OF much dcliberation--and
he who does not vote and act when the time ol
action comes round, has no reason to grumble
when matters are done not to his notion; for il
q man does not go forth to the field nor send his
servant, how shall he look for crop.
The people Of Kansas, after much trouble, de-
cided to form constitution for themselves, as
they were supported in doing by the Kansas
Nebraska act Of Congress. The people of Kan
sas sent Aeir delegates to their convention tc
make for them, (the people of Kansas) State
Constitution The delegates of the people o.
Kansas met in Kansas and made constitution
for Kansas. Was not this leaving the people
of Kansas free to form their own institutions
subject only to the United States Constitution
We think it was! Here was no interference on
the part of Congress or the President-was
there? Itappears not!
Now, as we have before said, it is a correct
principle, that alter the people through their
representatives, have formed their constitution,
that it should be approved by the votes Of the
same people; yet, If neither the Congressional
nor the territorial act requires it to be submitted
after it is formed in their oscn ,pay, whose bust
ness is it, but their o,ca? If Congress wishes
the correct principle carried out, let tAem follow
| the timely advice of JAMES BucHAN4N, and rut
a clause in their enabling acts ,eqaifi'y the con-
stitution to be submitted, as they did in the Min
nessota Bill. But they neglected to put any
such clause in the Nebraska Bill and we must
take things as they are.
But this manner ofpermithng the people to
form their institutions in Meir otcn cay,without
congressional Interference after it is done, when
the act did not say how it should be done is cal
led in the polite phrase of the day. "stuffing the
constitution down the throats Of the people" =
! We formed our constitution Of l9O2'in our owr
way" by our representatives, and it was no
submitted to us, but It. was 'stuffed down ou
our throats,' but it did not seem to hurt yer.
much, and it set lightly on our stomachs for FIF
TY YEARS! We takeit, that this thing Of sub
mission to thc'people, is not an imfpensih
condition, unless the congressional act require
it. Let the Presidents advice be followed, ant
then there can be no questinn about it hereaf
ter.