The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-12-31

No settlement Of the question Is acceptable TO them unless
made in defiance Of law and at the Cost OF anarchy
by them, and certainly derives no additional
strength from the fact that has found new advocates and
| defenders.
The Territorial Legislature Of Kansas thus recognized
BY the democratic party, submitted to the people the
hal be Ss es
should be called In conformity to their dec
sion the legislature called the convention aud the dele
gates elected in accordance with the provisions OF
law-he opposition declaring Al each step that the
will Of the majority dsregarded and the democratic
part. adherng firmly to ts first impregnabie position OF
| standing by the law The Lecompton Convention has
adopted constitution and submitted to vote OF the peo
pie the slavery clause the S;N sns sv e;n
responded to by the democratic party by holding up the
constitution and - law. Whatever there may have been
ia this pretext heretofore the action OF the Lecompon
Convention in submitting the slavery question to vote
Il all the bona ft inhabitants Of the Territory has swept
from the opposition the last vcstige OF ground for com
plant The opportunity presented the 2lst inst to
all the fde inhabitants Of Kansas, OF deciding for
themselves whether Kansas should De free or slave
State II 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 keep up the scenes Of vo
lence and boodshed which have long destroyed the
peace and quiet of that Territory constitutes no good
why the democratic party should abandon ITS prn
cples unite with its enemies in disregardng the law
The law abiding citizens Of Kansas desire make known
their will the mode prescribed by the laws of the coun
Try. Those who trampe on the law and spurn its obga
tions deserve either TO be heard or respected
This brief review of the kar question shows that we
meeting an old issue, though to some extent in new
democratic party. Adhering to our principles, we shall
be able to meet it again Our past trirmphs leave no
doubt of future results The faithful maintenance OF cur
rncples is the great element of democratic strength.
AS has marked our history in the pasts will in the
4 future.
so the question of slavery Kansas is concerned
have shown that the policy Of the democratic party has
been recognise the law and to carry out the viii OF the
people known in the manner prescribed by law.
The admission Kansas aSate refers the whole question
its citizens for their final decision as has been referred
10 the people of every other State Union The oppos
s
desire OF opponents to keep the excitement which
has so long distracted the country The real issue be-
tween peace and quiet the hand, and excitement.
turmoil and boodshed the other The decision OF the
people upon such issue cannot be matter OF doubt
Every good citizen is willing that Kansas shall be free
State just her people may prefer, and her adj
mission as State in conformity to the action Of the lie
compton Convention will insure that result This being
done peace VIII be restored IN Kansas and quiet IN the
balance Of the country and the democratic party will
have the qualification Of knowing that has all been &C
| principles HOWELL COBB.
LETTER FROM HON. JOHN B. FLOYD; ~
WASHINGTON Dec. %, 1857.
have received the invitation with which you have ho-
rored me TO attend public meeting to be held in Pha-
delpha tonight called to endorse the policy of the ad
fetal engagements to define it, II would afford me espe-
ca pleasure TO participate with the people OF great
city in movement intended to give the authentic stamp
| of democratic sanction to policy which has been con.
formed to the laws of the country and has other end
| than the peace and harmony of the Union.
selves authorized exercNe in approving dissenting
from the policy of the President in regard to Kansas
| written laws OF the land had left him least in
deciding upon his Of conduct The Kansas Nehras
ka had prohibited Congress from interfering in the do
nestle affairs Of Kansas and provided that the people of
the Territory should be left perfectly free TO form their
domestic Institutions in their own way-the legislative
history OF the showing it to have been contemplated
that this might be done by representatives chosen for the
purpose. The Legislature of Kansas which met next af
the passage OF the act had accordingly provided that
in October 1856 at the general election OF the Territory,
the people should vote whether Convention for forming
constitution should be called or not The people Of the
Territory had at the elections decided by large ma
orty that Convention should be called. The next
ceecng Territorial Legislature had. In pursuance OF this
vote enacted law providing for the Of the people
and registry Of voters and for the election Of Conven
The provisions Of this law complied with and
a Convention elected The Convention assembled formed
constitution, and in the exercise OF customary discre
ton had decided to submit the leading question OF
royeTsy embodied in the insrument-that of savery-to
the decision Of the people The proceedings, from begin
ming 10 end had thus been pursuant TO law The forms
had been regular authoritative customary, legal cons
tutional Whatever irregularities in detail or abuses in
the execution Of particular and minor provisions had oc
Cured. If any occurred such only the local
thores could take cognzancc OF and correct Through
out these transactions there but question OF con
nctpg opinion which Congress was not prohibited, either
by the letter spirit Of the Nebraska Kansas act from
interfering 10 decide-and that was in regard to the time
when the inhabitants OF the Territory would be competent
organize ,herscves into state and apply for adms
the Union Even this question Congress had
made by the people Of the Territory IN October 1856 for
bills authorizing the election OF Constitutional
Convention IN Kansas had passed each House Of
Congress in the summer preceding, the bill Of
each House failing the other through q dis
agreement OF tie two bodies on other prov
sions although they agreed the fact that the time
la arrived when Kansas might prepare for admission
state Congress had also acquesced during the session
Of 1851 the steps that going in Kansas for
calling Constitutional Convention.
Thus the only question admitting of doubt, which had
been EFT open by the Kansas Nebraska act had been de-
cded by Congress and thus the competency Kansas to
frame constitution and the regularity Of every step
that they Lad taken in this behalf were indspusble.
such were the laws which the President bound to
see executed and such the modes under which was his
duty to see that the people OF the Territory should be free
10 form their domestic institutions unmoeSted aud unds
iGrbed. lis only alternative between enforcing the
laws and dsrcgardng the laws. There was no option,
lac pursusd the plain line Of DUTY he could only en-
force the laws as they written To have done less
would have been puslanimous; to have done Otherwise
would have been, in effect, abr gate them, and
crferc in matters which the national Legislature and the
people Of the Union has dccreed should be LETT to the dc
cRi0n OF the Territory
For one do not fea the verdict Of the conservative
people Of conservative pennsylvania and the conduct OF
thor President On question whether the laws Of the
executive who has faithfully administered the laws Of the
niry, shall be sustained by the popular voice, II do
tear the verdict Of Pennsylvania. State which has
50 sgna.g sa 81 The Union will not speedily repent
q the noble act state which, closing her ears V the
arguments q scrhistry me appeals Of faction aud the
rcSou,ey voted her confidence in the integrity and pstri
otism Of James Buchanan, her will not turn her
back upon him for executing the laws OF the land a
State which has supported her during hong public
will iorsake him in his ast pnclc when
his only aspiration be 10 render her and his
iustous by pure honest and faithful administration of
\ his arduous office JOHN B FLOYD.
LETTER IRON non. ISAAC ToUcEY.
have had the bonoJ ~ receive your letter Inviting
70 be present nj public meeting 20 be held III the city Of
Philadelphia Monday, the 2sth of December flor the
purIoEc Of endorsing the President Buchanan,
especially th part Of Recommending the speedy a6mis
sion u ksnsas state under the constitution framed
1 in pursuance VI lawful authority
| regret hat viii not be possible For rns 10 be
present the occasion and 10 ioin with you the
demonstration cf public sentiment which Il viii elicit
While the 81 the President has commanded, in
most remarkable degree the appreciation and condolences
a the country. cue ~ ia suggestions has been
warmly snpaudcl than that kausa has long cngage too
large share q public attention. Dor ia. last Few years
ba been the crgrossing topic u the exclusion or preu
dice Of almost every other subject " great national
We had been engaged IN long protractef AMI bib
ter conflict for the rght Of the people, among themselves
ard for themselves. in every legally organized
nifty, whether Stte Territory 20 settle the slavery
question M their cwn way. without external n'er renee
Men inter veDton and popular sovereignty had tumhed