The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1857-12-31
The Prisstpiss ~ Ts"s Ds'noeSsey applied
Ia the Kansas Question.

Ia the Kansas Question.
We become more convinced, the more We
examine the presen. phase Of the Kansas
question, tina, the course taken by this paper
. lust and Democratic. The distinguishing
principle Of Democracy has always been the
right AMI capacity Of the people to rule them
selves. Whoever hss mistaken fo7 this prin-
cipe certain measures which have sprung
from IL, may act Tor time with the Demo
cratic party, but Is no true Democrat. !,
is no, opposition to a Protective Tariff, oI'
position to National Bank. or opposition
to the proscriptive tenets Of Native Ameri
canism, that constitutes Democrat, but OPP
position TO wrong injustice, and mlsrnle. uD-
der whatever form il may manifest ITSELF
The same spirit which opposed the enriching
Of one community at the expense Of another,
the granting extraordinary privileges to
individuals, the deprivation II class OF
their political rights was exertcd in oppo-
stion 10 placing The political destiny OF a
Territory into the hands Of those who had no
interest 10 its welfare.
Many. who had acted with the Democ-
racy in the matter Of the Bank or Tariff,
deserted il In the kansas cause. alleging
that the Democracy had changed ito prin-
cples. Such men never knew what the
principles Of Democracy were. They mis-
took for them, certain measures. Trace
these measures 10 their cause, and they will
be found TO converge in justice. When the
question was asked. Is il right TO enrich the
manufacturers Of Massachusetts, by coutr-
buttons forced from the sgriculturists OF
Georgia? The Democracy answerd,no' When
again tie question was asked, 10 it jus, that
the political institutions Of Kansas shall be
imposed upon her people by States fur re-
moved from her. the Democracy answered.
Mo- Now another question is asked, IL il
Just that u Convention, chosen by minority
Of the people OF Kansas, should impose up
on the State, a Constitution VIGOROUSLY in
opposition to the wishes Of the majority
and the answer Of the Democracy must
again be. no lie, whoever will peak differ
entity.
Watching Us We did, with care, the course
Of the Southern journals during the passage
Of the Kansas bill, we know something Of
the feeling Of the Southern people, at tina,
time, in regard to tina, measure. Doubtless
many regarded il as the means 81 extending
slavery, but the argument advanced WIS
justice and equal rights. Open" il was
said, this Territory TO the people Of the
North and South. le, all who wish 70
thi,her and those who build for themselves
homes, let them determine the institutions
under which they will live, and the laws by
which they will he governed. This is JUS.
tice. We ask no more, and We will be con.
tent to abide the result With a manly
promptitude aud an unseldsh generosity.
which proved disastrous TO hundr,is of
Democratic leaders, the North responded
TO this call The odious restriction of the
Missouri Compromise was removed, and the
right was given TO the people Of Kansas Of
governing themselves. This RICH, has been
taken from them; and il rests with the
Democracy pursuing an answering course
II justice, 10 restore il again II il was
wrong tina, the National Legislature should
determine the institutions OF Kansas, with
ou, the consent Of her people. is il no, equal
ly wrong that q minority convention should
do IL Are not the people, in both in.
stances, robbed Of the right OF ruling them.
selves The true Democrat, who regards
the spirit. rather than the letter Of pemoc.
racy. viii find no difference in these eass
Justice will dictate Q uniform course with
regard TO both. And the Democracy mus,
pursue this couDe now or cease 10 be i.
self
Shall We defend cause against iana,t
cism, aud desert il when attacked by rapa-
city, We have conquered the cue, and vi
can conquer the other. E,psdieucy 10 not
the measure Of righ, An honest cause Is 4
strong one. let the Democratic party split
asunder, Il i must be SO, and that por,ior
mich fnll. ~ The rnlc Of rirhi ~ m r.nth,r "a