Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-12-19
The Message on Kansas-A Divided De-
mOcrQcy,

The position assumed by Senator Douglas
relative TO the Constitution for Kansas manu.
featured by the Lecomplcn Convention, gives a
good deal. Of nneasiness to those democratic pa
pers that are Controlled by the Presidents Off
cials, and hence feel bound to support the ad-
ADMINISTRATION at all hazards. They seek TO COW
or up or misrepresent The issue between the
President and the Senator from Illinois, while
they disgrace themselves and insult the inei.
gence and patriotism Of the people by proclaim
ing their approval of fraud which 10 ''begot-
ten of fraud" and of tyranny which is the
very escence of despoism.
We are no admirer OF the political course of
Judge Douglas, nor have we any abiding faith
In the sqnatter sovereignty principle ofShe Kan.
sas-Nebraska act. Our columns will bear as
witness that we have constantly, and to the
best OF our ability, opposed the doctrines en-
bodied in the act repeating the Missouri Com
promise. We are still unconvinced ofthe right
Of The first few settlers To determine whether
Slavery shall be permanently established in one
of the Territories Of the United States. But
when Slavery has once gained foo,hold in
Territory, has been declared by the Presden,
10 have a constitutional existence, and has OBJ
tanned quasi legaliza'ion there. we are ready
10 back any man or any party when and jus, go
far as he or they assert the right of The people
TO vote it out.
The Argus oil this week, in an article on the
Kansas question, says;
"The President says that general principles de-
manded the submission of the Lecompton Constitu
tion to the people. while Senator Douglas claims
that the organic act demanded it. We cannot see
IN this difference any excuse for the Sen
ator has taken, although we may not be well enough
informed on the subject to judge. Yet, as we said
last week. we have the most implicit confidence in
the President and his Cabinet, and rely upon them
for satisfactory adjustment Of this matter"
The Argus has not here stated the point at
issue. The President is distinctly committed
in his message, TO the admission of Kansas un-
der the Lecompton Constitution, although it is
repngnant to four fihs of the inhabitants of that
Territory, and after he had instructed Walker
and Stanton 10 assure the people that such
submission should be made. Mr. Douglas, on
the other hand is opposed to The admission of
Kansas with constitution conceived in inuui-
~ and begotten Of frand. That there is some
more material difference between the views of
The President and Mr.. Douglas respectively.
than the Argus would have it's readers believe.
we quote the concluding paragraph of Mr. Dou.
glas' speech in the Senate on Wednesday of
last week
"If the Toombs bill does not suit my friends take
the Minnesota bill Of the last session-tbe one 40
much commended by the President, in his message
as model. Let us pass that as an enabling act
and allow the people Of all parties to come together
and have fair vote, and will go for it, Frame
any other Oil that secures fair, honest vote to
men Of all parties, and carries out tho pledge that
the people shall be left free Ia decide on their do
mestic institutions for themselves, and will 20
with you with pleasure, and with all the energy I
may possess, But if this constitution is to be Src
ed down our Threats, IN violation of the fundnmen
tai principle oil free Government, under a mode of
submission that is mockery and insult, painful as
it will be to me, | must break all association, or
connections rather than forfeit my principles. |
have no fear Of any party associations being sey
cred should regret to see social and political tiee
severed; but if it must be- i'll cannot act with YOU
and preserve my faith aad my honor, will stand
on the great principle Of popular sovereignty which
declares the right of all people TO be left perfectly
free to form and regulate their domestic institutions
in their own way. | will follow that principle
wherever its legal and logical consequences NAV
take me, and will endeavor to defend it against
assault from any and all quarters
II these remarks do no, indicate something
more than "a mere difference on an abstract
question:" we are unable to judge of the force
OF language. To suppose that civil govern.
ment can ever be organized in Kansas under
the Lecompton Constitution, as recommended
by the President and upheld by his supporters,
is to PremiseSh hat the citizens of that Territory
are The most servie and abjec. of slaves
Judge Douglas is intelligent enough to see this.
He well knows that the experiment, if pushed
to an issue, will demonstrate the falsity of such
premise, and show that the free State c,i-
zens of Kansas "kuow their rights, and know.
ing dare maintain lhem."
The President, in this. recommendation con-
aimed in his message, acted under the same in.
fuences which have always controlled his polit-
ioal conduct. BY taking sides with the Le-
compton scoundres he retains the support Of
The undivided South, while for success in the
free Siaics he relies with confident faith upon
the known SerSility of the northern democracy
--hlS personal experience Of forty years ius,i.