Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-12-10
Thc Knnsns CONSTITUTION.

The great question which has agita-
ted the country from centre to circum-
ference for the last three years, remarks
the k~anchstcr Intolligencers was wheth-
,er slavery should or should not exist in
Kansas and whether that Territory
should come into theSUniona as a free
or slave State. This was the absorbing
question which entered into and over
rode all others, in the last Presidential
election. Growing out of this question
and intimately connected with it, was
the doctrine of popular sovercignty.-
The Democratic party strongly advoca-
ted this doctrine, and the Republicans
the right Of Gongfess to legislate.for the
people ofpthes Territories The Demo,
cracy, were. victorious, and the leading
principle embodied in the, Kansas Ne,
braska bill, the right of the people of
Kansas to- determine tho question: Of
slavery for themselves, 'abutfdantly sus.4
tanned. -I
The Convention of Kansas, the mem !
begs of which body were elected under
an act Of Congress, met at the9time and
place fixed upon, aud, after a somewhat
r~fvtyHssea session, have brought their
labors to "a close bg presenting to the.
people of the Territory a constitution,
republican in fornii and modelled after
the fashion Of many Of the Old States,
with a clause in the schedule for aseer-
tainingythe sensc5of the people on the
much mooted and troublesome slavery
question. Those who want slavery will
vote for the provision which would
make Kansas a slave State-those who
are opposed to slavery will vote against
the provision. If a majority Gas we
have every reason to believe will be. the
case) shall vote against the provision.
then it will be stricken out, and Kansas
will come into the Union as a free State:
Now we respectfully ask, what farther
guarantee of the expression of popular
sovereignty can, be asked than this ac-
ton of the Constitutional Convention
provides for? The question of slavery
is to be lfairly submitted to the votes of
the people of Kansas, who hereafter
win have the. decision of the question
in their hands. If it is not decid-
ed in accordance with the wishes of the
majority, the majority alone will be
held responsible for the result. There
can be no more boys play in the mat
ter The Territory of Kansas must
soon become one of the sovereign States
of the Union, clothed with all the rights,
immunities and responsibilities of every
other member of the confederacy. The
Democracy Of the country have from the
first opening up of the measure, insist
FsaFupon riglft of the people of Kan
sas to make their own institutions and
government, and they will see this prin,
ciple carried out at all hazards, regard
less of sectional clamor or. pre;udiced
partizanship. Let abolitionists and fire
eaters ave because a sensible course
prevails, the masses of the people In ev-
cry State must acknowledge the fitness
and patriotism of the stand taken by
Mr.. Buchanan's administration. Kan
sas we think will be-. as the Democracy
have always contended, a free State, and
abolitionism will have to fall back upon
che Garrison platform or give up tn,
business of negro agitation. In a gov
eminent like ours, the truth must ulti
mately prevail, if the people possess suf
fcient intelligence to appreciate it.