The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1857-12-31
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 81, 1857.
The Consistency of the Monroe Democrat

ccuber Sd We lind Tor once, II arrayeo IN
the cause of humanity and justice. Ii
even went so far as to condemn the action
of the Kansas Constitutional Convention,
which originated in violence and fraud
and was established BY injustice. The
Democrat in substance said: We were
led to believe, aud on our faith We helped
to lead others to believe that the members
Of the Constitutional Convention would
continually keep in view the doctrine Of
popular sovereignty, as promulgated in
the Kansas Nebraska bill (; and that they
would act honorably and without partial
ity to any of the sentiments which have
heretofore divided and distracted the
Territory. But we we're deceived our
selves and in turn have involuntarily aid
ed in dccciring our neighbors. So fal
as the Convention acted il made itself o
complete clap-trsp of slavery interests,
and had only regard for the wishes of a
small minority in the Territory. Instead
of regarding the popular will, they seem tc
have spent their time in devising way
by which they might cheat the majority
and let the minority rule. This action
bellies all their own pledges, and all the
pledges of the whole democracy. The
Democrat consoles himself however, that
their action is not fnality; and that
their work has yet to pass the ordeal OF
an examination and approval by Congress,
and hopes that that body will teach those
tamperers with the rights Of the people
that popular sovereignty" docs not mean
playing into the hands of the south, as a
party, nor Of the north, but that it means
giving the bona fde residents of the Ter
ricory, fair and impartial hearing, in
the form alton of the fundamental law OF
the State. This the Democracy of the
country stands pledged to, and this Con-
gress shouldinsist upon. The Democrat
states that he had not seen the Lecomp-
ton Constitution, but he says, let its pro-
visions he ever so fair and perfect, the
fact that it is not to be submitted TO
the people for their acceptance or rejec-
ton, is enough OF itself to condemn it
In the formation Of State there never
has been so high handed an attempt made
ty the few to force a constitution upon
the many; and the attempt should not be
submitted to in this instance, and we hope
it will not be. After considerable more
in the same tenor of denuuciation, be
winds up by calling upon Congress, and
particularly the Pennsylvania delegation
in that body. to sote unanimously against
the Lecompton Constitution, when it shall
be offered for their acceptance or rejec-
ton. To all OF which We say amen =
This would be in peefeet harmony with
the pledges Of the Democratic party, and
is all that the Republicans ask for. But
extraordinary as it is, We find President
Buchanan iu his first annual Message to
Congress, arguing that the action of the
Lrcompton Convention is legal and right,
and 10 harmony with Mr.. Douglas Kansas
Nebraska BILL Mr.. Buchanan states that
tbe Kansas Nebraska bill only gave to the
people the right to say whether they would
have slavery in the State or not, and tn at
that was to be determined by submitting
that clause of the constitution to the peo-
pie for their approval or rejection. MI.
Douglas, the father of that bill, states that
it means, and was intended to mean, the
whole of the constitution, SO that the peo-
pie might indeed, regulate the whole of
their domestic institutions in their owD
way-not slavery alone. Here Mr.. Doug
las, ForDey, and a goodly portion of the
Northern Democracy are arrsyed against
the Presidents Kansas policy.
Immediately after the Presidents Mes
sage had been issued the Monroe Democrat
found itself in opposition to the Kansas
policy of the President. He being actu-
ated by a few loayes and 6,bes more than
By the true principles of Democracy and
justice, Immediately drops the issue, and
says he did not mean it. Or in other
words, had forgotten that be could not
speak for himself or give utterance to bis
honest impulses, but that be must give
publicity to the views of an other party,
and none other, snd call them all right,
even if they are as bitter and detestable
as dutch pills, and all this in order to save
a small slice Of the public plunder.
But hear him, in the Democrat of the
Gath instant.
We shall rejoice over the speedy ad-
mission Of Kansas into the Uoion, as that
event alone ear alisy the unpleasant ex.