Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1857-12-17
The Message.

VI, iOi 'hO PoAe',oi ouu uipioinoliO iuo'c-
ments of our rulers This interest not on
ly exhibits high degree of intelligence
among tine people, especially on questions
Of National importance, but is safe check,
and one not to be disregarded, upon the
conduct of all N authority.
How differen: is this state of things from
that in the old world. The peasants of
France, the serfs of Rus STA, and even the
working class o. our own mother country
have, in general. as little concern about the
political movents of the government, as a
New Zealander has of ours
1t would be needless to attempt to show
that the difference in the forms of govern
ment in these countries and that ofour own
is the result of difference in the aissemin-
alton Of popular. and especially political.
intelligence. The mind catches at the con-
clusion at a glance.
We were naturally led to these thoughts
by observing the intense interest through
out our entire country awaiting the public
alton of the Presidents message. Thanks
to steam and lightning. that much desired
document is now distributed to millions of
readers.
We publish in the issue of this week
fair and reliable synopsis from the Detroit
Free Press-the Message itself arrived too
late for publication.
We have read it carefully, and it fully
COMFORTS with the sagacity and diplomatic
wisdom of its author. Although redun
dancy of words has been carefully avoided,
yet the Message, owing to the numerous
subjects treated of, is necessarily lengthy.
On the Kansas question the views of the
President are not materially different from
what we expressed in our leader of last
week. lie regards the Lecompton Con-
vention as legaliezd body, so recognized
by Congress on several occasions, and as
having acted under legal authority; and in
his view they fully complied with the Kan
sas-Nebraska Act by submitting. the only
question contained in it, viz: that of slaye-
ry. to the approval or rejection of the peo-
pie. This position he supports by refer
,ence to the language of the act itself. 1t
was "not to legislate Slavery into any terato-
ry, nor to erclude Il Merefrons, Jut to leave
TIE people thereof perfectly free to form and
regulate their domestic Institutions IN their
o,on ugy'' domestic institutions" he
holds here, to have direct and appropri-
ate reference to the institution of slavery
this being the only question before Con-
gress at that time. He further deems it a
matter of policy to settle now and torever,
the difficulties of Kansas. which have al
ready occupied too much of the public at
tention, and which in the event may ter
inmate in civil war.
Under all these circumstances, he
thought that after the slavery clause of tie
Constitution had been fairly submitted to
she people, 1t ought to be admitted M.
der the same. But at the same time
that he recommends this course to Con-
gress he adheres with answering. fidelity
to the principles Of popular sovereignty
esteems this the true policy OF our govern.
ment, and the legitimate offspring of civil
liberty. 1t is evident, therefore, that while
policy and his duty as an executive lead
him in one direction, his private principles
lead him in another.
The discussion on this question has al
ready begun in Congress. The voice o.
the gallant Douglas is heard in defense o.
that principle. for which he has so long
and 50 manfn1y contended. He retracts
he comedies nothing. The submission O
each and every question to the voice oftht
people, is the true. the only definition he
will receive of popular sovereignty. Here
as in every other question, the mass of the
Democracy viii stand by this great cham
pion of political rights.
Tho present probability is that the Con
stitution will be submitted to the people al
directed therein-Kansas will be admitted
into the sisterhood of States--quiet will b.
given to her distracted people; and tina
Wild sea of excitement which has so lon,
agitated our country, and on which dis
union. sectional party had hoped to sail in
to power, will be allayed, and they, Will
they thought themselves, like Pharaoh
-Hostwalking on dry land, will be over
whelmed in the midst thereof-an ever
fraught with blessings, not less to be des
red by the world than the destruction {
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