Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1857-07-17

ed that tho viii of the majority, whether it
be for or against Slavery viii finally triumph,
though it may be after years Of strife, disas-
trous to the best interests of the country,
and dangerous, it may be-. to the peace and
safety Of the whole Union.
Again This movement Of the Territorial
authorities to form a Constitution is made,
not in the regular way. in pursuance of an
enabling and authorizing act Of Congress. but
in the mere motion Of the Territorial Legisla-
turo itself Nay, it has been begun and car
ricd on in the teeth of refusal by Congress
to pass such an act This irrogularity is not
fatal. There are other cases in which it was
overlooked But it can be waived only in
consideration of the fact that the people have
expressed their will in unmistakable language
If we dispense with the legal forms of pro-
cceding we must have the substance.
We think. for these reasons, that Gov.
Walker. in advocating submission of the
Constitution to a vote of the people, acted
with wisdom and justice, and followed the
only line of policy which promises to settle
this vexcd question either rightly or satisiac-
torily. In this respect at least he has done
nothing worthy of death or bonds
But who are the people; What shall be
the qualifications of n voter on the Conshtu-
ton when it comes to be submitted: We
answer that this is for the Convention q, set
tie Those who think the Couyontion might
declare the Constitution, IN full force by virtue
oil their own Will van hardly deny that they
might append 10 it condition requiring it to
DC hr5t approved by the people If they can
do this, they can also say what classes of per
sons shall be counted as being part Of the
people The Convention that formed the
Federal Constitution exercised this power
when they referred it to their constituents
the States and prescribed that their appro-
baton should be given or withheld Ivy state
Conventions. The Constitution of Virginia
was submitted to the votes of men cnfran-
chised by the Convention for the first time
OF course. the Kansas Convention will see
that every proper guard is thrown around tho
legal voter, and that his bona iide intention
to remain in the Territory is tested by pre-
vious residence of sufficient length. We
should say that the qualifications required to
make legal voter Under the Constitution
ought to cntitlo an inhabtant to vote upon it
for or against its adoption.
But there is another accusation against the
Governor Of Kansas lie has argued the
Free State side Of the question We quote
all that part Of the inaugural on which this
charge is based. Here tis
'lnd let ass you. what possible good has been
complishcd by agatng in Congress and in presidential
CONFLICTS the Slavery question Has IL omaudpated
single slave or Improved thoir condition Has &c made
single State free where Slavery otherwise would have
egistod Has So accelerated c disappearance of Slavery
from The more northern of the slNchodiug States or
accomplished amy practical good whatcycrl NO, my fell
eeiiycus rohirr blt unmitir1tod evil has already
cusuei, with disasters sll more fearful impending for
Che ntulc, as @ consequence of tlls aeiauon
There is law moro powerful than Che legislation Of
man-inorc potent Cham passion on prciudiccthat must
ultimately determine the location OF slavery iu this com
tryi il is the sothcrmg line il is The aw of tc Their
nomcer, Of latitude altitude regulating climate, Ia
loss Thus, even upon the mountain heights of Che trop-
les Slavery more exist than I'm northern lautndcs
because is Improbable, being unuited To the consu-
tuition Of che sable race tGanspantod here nom INC cqua-
slavery rcccdos from the North ana progresses south -
is 10 this great climatic law operating for or
against Slavery ia Kansas a. on the elevated plains
nt kansas stretching 10 the base Of our American Alps
the Rocky Mountlins-and including their eastern
0oit crowned with perpetual snow, from which sweep
over her open paitai those chilling blasts reducing the
average range OF the thermometer here 20 temperature
nearly as low that OF New England, should render /
Slavery Improbable here because unsuted to the tropical
constitution of the race the law above referred 10
must ultimately determine that question here and can
be more controlled by the legislation Of man than any
other nora nh'aical law of the Almigety Especial
y must this law operate with irresistible force IN this
country, where the number Of slaves is limited and cam
not be Increased 10y importation, where many millions Of
Of sugar and cotton lands still uncuiyatcd
and from the ever aupnonting demand exceeding the
supply the price OF those great staples has nearly doub
led demanding vastly more slave labor for their produc
uo' eNi here true, j. BY no means follows mat Kan
f,ua,csm Of Abolition She has, in any event, certain
constitutional duties 10 perform 70 her Sister states and
to nor hh NV M 49,, m Z
aud railroads. aow TO great extent our trade and
,a,gteoarse our import. ona er9t' our entire eastern
number Of her citizens even The farms Of the two states
are ct by the line of State boundary part in Kansas,
p',, IN o 5e c,lyns ,G, o us m %iy ,
souri, an asylum for her fugitive slaves. or a propagan
a,' o! sooh'on treason would he alike ineAp'aen, ana
Union, In any event then. trust hat the Constitu-
ton of Kansas will contain such clauses as will forever
o 1 y, t 9,oS =, no on Sy Fcdcr @
by STATE authority, aud he supremacy within limits
81 tne authority o, me supreme Court OF 1h9 United
iishci.
When we take These narooraphs and com
press the meaning of them Into short senton-
ces they amornt IN this Tho ouestion Of
Slavery has always been. and al,yavs will be
settled bv certain laws of Nature which arc
above ali human legislation. If those laws
of Nature shall SO operate upon Kansas as 10
make her FREQ State all LEGISLATION in the
a.. l:.-..:. III 1 -. trt.. 800. -