Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1857-11-06

convention has exercised it's undoubted
powers. why not for the matter also oil
that constitution. even though it may be
republican in lie form of government2 Or.
If . Governor Of Territory may attempt
to oyerawe q convention Of it's people in
the exercise Of its powers in one respect,
why not in anotherg
With regard to the abstract propriety OF
The particular recommendations OF Gov.
ernor Walker. I do not feel called upon
to speak. That is matter for the de-
cision Of the convention itself, with which
/ ought not 20 interfere. The abstract
propriety of these recommendations de-
ponds upon circumstances. OF which
ihe people of Kansas. acting through
their conventions. are best judges. To
them l leave IL as their own affair. AZ
70 which course would eonduee most to
their peace and fair settlement Of the
question. should require . greater
knowledge Of the actual state OF affairs in
that territory TO enable me to decide:
With these answers TO your interroga-
tories. might here close this letter. ex-
eept that infer you desire to know how
far my opinion in regard TO Governor
Walkers conduct may effect my course
towards the Administration. What arc
the precise views Of the President upon
these questions. know not; await
their development in the regular course.
But should he differ with me upon these
matters. do not see how any practical
issue can arise between him and those
Of his friends who entertain other opinions
in regard to Governor Walkers course.
l say. do not see how any practical
issue could arise out OF this matter be-
tween the President and those who might
differ with him in regard to these things.
be cause do not believe for a moment
that he would aid in an attempt to reject
the State, if Kansas should apply for adj
mission, merely because it's Convention
did not chose 10 admit the Constitution
TO the people for ratification. Upon such
question as this. in regard to the right
of Congress to limit the power Of reo.
pie to form their State Constitution &C.
cording to their own pleasure. provided
il be republican in its character. should
think there could be no division Of opinion
among the members Of the Democratic
party in any section Of the Union. There
could not be If they remain true to what
! understand is their profession of faith
To establish the great principles of the
equal rights OF the States 10 the en- Joy
ment Of the territories of the United
States. which no act Of the federal legis.
lation can constltutionally abridge or de.
stroy. and Of the right of the people Of
each State to determine the character OF
their own domestic institutions without
prejudice to their claim of admission into
The Union. the Democratic party has sub
mitted to losses and sacrifices. which
could only have been justified by the &C.
complishment OF great object. To OBJ.
tain common ground upon which all
might rally for the defence of the Con.
sIitution and the peace Of the country
against the enemies OF both. did consti.
tute such an object. And now that the
position has been conquered after SO arr
duous struggle. who supposes that the
Democratic party would volunteer res
trograde movement, and renounce the
fruits OF hard~won yictory7 To aban.
don either Of these positions now. by a
retrograde movement, would be an act Of
felo de Sc in the party. and not merely a
Jolly, but crime for which posterity
would never forgive it. For these rea>
sons do not believe the Democrats par
ty. or the President whom it:has chosen,
will aid any attempt to restrict the power
OF the people of Kansas. acting through
their convention TO form constitution
according to their own pleasure. both in
manner and substance provided it be re-
publican in character.
Having now answered fully your in
terrogatories. need proceed NO further :
but as you are kind enough to say that
you QUESTION me not because you doubted
me yourself, but to save mo from miscon.
strac.ion by others. feel that ought
not to conclude without thanking you for
your generous motives. To those who
are disposed to misconstrue me, have
only to say, that If the past course Of one
who has served the State in . public ca.
pacisy 80 long as have. affords no guar.
sntee as 70 his future conduct. it 10 idle 10
seek for further securities in professions
Of faith. Ny past course affords The bss,
evidence OF my principles Of public ac-
ton. and these are the tests by which. 40
an honest man. l am bound 10 Judge eve.
~ administration. II. iherefore, L should
differ from an sdmistration because il dis.
sented from these principles. l should be
blamed. il blamed q. ali. not for the act
OF differing with President. but because
OF the false principles by which am to
judge him 30 that it is by these shat /
am to be tried. after all. II is true, that
when ne" questions arise, one may be
fairly and properly questioned as to hi,
opinions. But what is there new here ?
The principles Of the Kansas Nebraska
act. by which / have jus. been testing