The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-07-11
THE QUESTION SETTLED.

When a new State is about to come into the
Union she must have constitution Her own peo-
pie must make it, Congress has right to dictate
what form it shall take provided it be not inconsist
ent with the fundamental law of the Union These
propositions which no man will attempt to deny
who is not blinded by prejudice, else utterly ig-
norant Of those first principles in the science of gov
eminent which the whole American people are pre-
sumed to understand.
Sclfevident as is the right of State to make its
constitution, the anti-slavery politicians denied
ii to Missouri in 1920; and it only after vo-
lent contest which, in the opinion of many wise and
eminent men, endangered the Union, that the people
of Missouri were permitted to live under institutions
formed according to their own judgment
But this clear and indubitabe right was not con-
coded to Missouri until it was coupled with dec
laration that other Territories within certain limits
should be subject to the unconstitutional surueanee
Of Congress the subject of slavery. In other
words Missouri was allowed to exercise her consti-
tutional rights condition that Congress might VIC
late the constitution other time in regard to
some other Territory. This the far-hmed "Dfis-
souri, Compromise" about which much has been
Halu anu sung liiNt ~ Wub Whohy
null, and void, is ascerained and settled by
Congress, by the people, and by the Supreme Court
The Kansas troubles are mere prolongation of
the Missouri controversy, in which the abotionists
Of every hue in every part Of the northern States in
sist upon forcing another State to adopt con-
stitution which it does not prefer With reference
to Kansas, they would trample the rights Of her
white people upon the provisions of the federal con-
stitution, and upon the principles of natural justice
precisely as they attempted to do in the of Mis-
souri, thirty-seven years ago.
But i'm 1850 these doctrines of abotionism were
met with an opposition in Congress which, if not
ADLER, was at least more successful The great truth
was again asserted by the democracy that the
stitution Of the United States gave right TO any
body outside Of new Territory to interfere with the
subject Of slavery within it. Congress then aban
doned the claim, which had been previously set up
to dictate to the people Immediately interested how
they should decide the question. This was a new
compromise compromise of 1850"
Agrecably to this last compromise, the Kansas
Nebraska bill of 1854 passed, expressly declaring
that such power to control the people Of the new
Territories on the subject Of slavery was could
rightfully be claimed-"it being" said Congress,
the true intent and meaning of this act not to egis
late slavery into any Territory State, nor to ex
clude it thererom, but to leave the people thereof
perfectly free to form and regulate their domestic in
stitutons in their way, subject only to the con-
stitution Of the United States
This provision, plainly and palpably just, was
met by the northern anti-savery men with fierce
W. x;ola nf
citation and the lowest acts Of mendacty were
resorted to for the purpose Of procuring such
a majority against it in the Union would make
Congress- usurp the power, and take away from the
people Of the State or Territory the right which the
Nebraska bill conceded, and which the constitution
had guaranteed. The fight went on, with varied sue
cess until November, 1856 when the vote on the
presidency crowned the truth with glorious tri
nmph.
The great man then chosen by the people as Chief
Magistrate Of the republic was solemnly committed
to the principle Of leaving slavery to the people.
The convention which made him candidate had
declared that to be Of its cardinal principles and
he had given the assent of his judgment to it. The
people who cast their votes for him knew that such
was the rule by which his conduct in Office would be
governed.
He did not dsappoint them. His inaugural an
nounced his adherence to his pledges His first act
was to send man into Kansas governor, with in
strucons to that the right of the people to
press their opinion the subject not inter
fered with, by force fraud. The emissaries sent
out by fraudulent aid Society" and who had
raised civil war to effect the election Of an anti
slavery candidate for the presidency, and who
still keeping up rebellious organization against the
lawful authorities, to be met with the resist
ance they deserved.
There needed but one thing more to settle forever
all controversy upon the question. That the
sanction of the judiciary; and that it received when
the case of bred Scott came before the Supreme
Court.
This long-vexed question is settled-settled for
ever. Congress has right to interfere with the
affairs Of Kansas. New England may attend to her
affairs. The representatives whom she will
elect to the federal legislature will have no power
over the subject. The duty of the President will
simply consist in seeing that no cheat is practised
npon the people of Kansas, and that violence shall
mot drive them from the polls Whoever supposes
that this duty will not be performed by the present
administration has yet learn the character of James
Buchanan