The American. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1857, 1857-11-28
!. HONEsrY rs THE BEST POLICY.n

pears to be kicked out of doors by politicians
and parties, who seem to think it discreditablc
to keep company with SO Anticipated virtue.
But we are much deceived if ''the great Demo-
catic party are not most painfully convinced
in the course of afew months, Of the truth of the
adage we have quoted, and repent, in sack cloth
and ashes, that they have acted upon the OPP
posite idea, namely, that dishonesty is the
best policy. 8t SsGaea
That party, all know, have a wonderful power
of hanging together; of stiking to their lead
ers right OF wrong, and going for the Democ-
racy for the sake Of the "spoits;" it is the co
hcsiyc power.of publia plundern Of which Mr..
Calhoun spoke in expressive and indignant
language. But, thank Providence, there are
some honest men to be found, even within the
pale Of that party some who are not wholly
devoid Of shame and the power to- blush when
their leaders are guilty of acts which, If done
by their opponents, they would denounce with
all the cloquepce and fcrvor Of honest indigna-
ton and Just censure. That there are such
men in the party we are beginning to see,
and will soon be made sonsibeof
wa .f 4 <. n. = 4. i &, u .
It has been charged by /" old-Line Demo-
Gratis" that the Kansas-Ncbraska act was
conceived in sin, and brought forth in I'M
quity;" that it was fraud upon the people in
the beginning, in the middle, and would be in
the end. That being itself cheat, it would
eventually bring forth fruits worthy Of itself
and of it's parcntage. On the other hand, its
liz. nj,
honors on account Of the great popular prin7
ciples" it enunciated and put in practice to
wit, that of allowing the people of Territory
to form and regulate their own institutions in
their own way, without Intervention, let, or
hindrance from any quarter whatever.
The inquiry is now forced upon us, and
upon the entire people of the United States t
has the Kansas act been fairly and honestly
carried into effect? Have the people of that
Territory been permitted to form their institu-
tons in their own way 9-to frame and adopt
constitution to suit themselyes2 What hon
est man can answer in the affirmative No
one, we are sure. Then a cheat or fraud
has been practised upon the people of that
Territory They have been promised what is
= s 4. 80. + . { K
now withheld.
They were assured, and the whole nation
was assured, that whatever constitution should
be formed should be submitted to "the bona
fide resident inhabitants" for their approval or
rejection; that no constitution should be
forced upon them against their will; but now
they are told by the Convention, "You may
vote for Constitution with slavery or for a
Constitution without slavery" The simple
question, "with or without slavery" is sub
mitted to them and nothing else. The rest Of
the instrument may be as obnoxious to them
as the code of Draco, but they are to have no
power whatever to reject it; Willy, nilly,
they must take it Is this in accordance with
the boasted principle Of popular sovereignty"
said to be contained in the organic act, and to
constitute its wonderful merritt Is it to be
supposed that "the party" at the North and
West who have had as much as they could
possibly do to prevent that act, with all the
merit claimed for il, from breaking them up,
and which did, at one time, nearly annihilate
them, can stand up against the crushing effect
of such fraud, and such Justification of sol
cinn pledges? To suppose 50, is to suppose
that the Democrats of that section are utterly
destitute of all self respect, all honesty, all
common sense, and all shame.
Those who defend the action Of The Conven-
ton say that, as slaeery or no slacery was the
only matter in controversy, it is sufficient
that that has been submitted to the people
But is that permitting the people Of Kansas to
form their own institutions in their own way2
How do the Convention or its apologists know
or what right have they to assume that the
Constitution, as framed, is satisfactory in all
other respects, to them? And If it be, why
not let them have an opportunity TO say so ?
Why falsify your solemn pledge TO them and
to the country when there can be no motive
for doing SO? Fl. a "at
But this is subterfuge, false pretence,
which brings out the craft, tiickcry, and dis
honesty, of the Convention in holder. relief
than it would otherwise appear. The Conven.
ton knew-al their acts show chat they knew
they were perpctratihg fraud upon the
people of Kansas, in thus refusing to ubmit
the instrument they had framed to their de-
cisioD. They knew that the Constitution they
had formed was not acceptable TO them, and
that, IL submitted, it would be rejected; and
this was the very reason why twas not sub
mitted. Their purpose was to impose upon
{ them Constitution obnoxious in every re.
spect, and they knew they could do il in. nc
!; other way than by prohibiting them from
having any voice in forming their own insti
tutions. ~ l8YaH ~ Sr'1
Now we put TIE question to the Union, and
all other supporters of the Administration, l
the Convention has fulfilled the pledges Of tn,
Kansas act itself, of Mr.. Buchanan and hi,
Cabinet, and of Governor Walker2 ~
In accepting the Office Of Governor, Mr.
Walker addressed a letter to Mr. Buchanan
which, as II was published in the Union, is t.
be taken as expressive, not of his sentiment
alone, but Of those Of Mr.. Buchanan and hi.
cabinet. In that letter he used the following
significant language: ial1
al understand that yom and all Yo,ar cdbine