The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-07-08
GOV. WALKER AND THE SOUTH.

The Memphis (Tennessee) Appeal thus ably meets
the objections of those who assailing Gov Walker
ON the ground that he is in favor of submitting the
State constitution, which is to be adopted by the
convention just elected in Kansas, for ratification by
vote of the people of the Territory;
In the great principle of the proprety submitting
the constitution of Kansas yet to be framed to the arb
tament and decision Of the legal voters of the Territory
this whole controversy rests We take it, that the South
does not desire to slavery upon Kansas against the
consent and wishes of majority Of these voters 1t has
been the doctrine Of great southern expounders
that every section Of the confederacy Stas
titled equal rights in the settlement of the Territories
and in the administration OF their laws More than this
have claimed But this have held to be the
measures of our rights which we have demanded from
our northern brethren.
In order to carry out this doctrine the Kansas bill
was framed and passed. The great principle which
dcrlies that bill is that the people, when they proceed to
form their State constitution shall determine for them
selves the character Of their domestic institutions
other words the doctrine of selfgoyernment then APP
Piled to the Territories Whether the people intrust
these important rights to their delegates in the constu
tiona convention absolutely, vile her they demand
that the constitution when framed, shall be referred
back to them for their ratification rejection is matter
with themselves In the present case, it to
mancsty proper that where the stake is exciting
much interest it necessary not only to the peace of
the Territory hut also to the prevention of agitation and
excitement throughout the Union that the constitution
should be submitted directly to the people for their APP
prevail If slavery should be introduced into Kansas by
the constitution and the convention should refuse APP
ply the test of ratification to those who hereafter
govern Kansas it would furnish the abolition agators Of
the North with most potent weapon of agitation and
excitement and most powerful argument against her
admission into the Union
Shall the South herself throw into the hands of
northern enemies appeal convincing to fanaticsm,
and reasonable to conservatsts Shall aban
don the great doctrine that c people of Territory have
right when applying for admission into the Union to
Sl,aIly
ny equal voice to all sections in arranging the unda-
mental law Shall we arbitrarily that the
eeon reflects the sentiments Of the people, without d
rectly consulting the people Would not such policy
furnish club to the black republicans which would
able them to carry advantage in every northern State
and wed them to abolition fanaticism
g We think the South ought to pause long and pom
der deeply before she this position and opens
the staunch wound of treason in the North Let
her stand upon the Kansas bill fairly sqnarey and in its
true spirit and intent. We can then and hold
firmly position, not subccting the decision of the
people Of Kansas to future reversal giving to
renewed turmoil and excitement.
g But it may be said that it not the business of
Governor Walker to NEEDLE with these questions it be
true that 1t il the true policy of patriotism and statesman
ship to carry out the doctrine have stated and to
force it upon the minds of the people, cannot how
any crimnalty attaches to the advocacy OF it by the
governor Of Kansas We cannot believe that Governor
Walker had any sinister designs in enforcing doctrines
which have always believed to be the ground held
the trucst southern mem
GAS to the doctrine that a the inhabitants who shall
be in Kansas at the time of submitting the constitution
shall be entitled to vote, think it is
stretch Of Interpretation and ought to be condemned
residence for limited and specified time-such pro-
vded for by the present laws OF to be
quired qualification to vote Such provision is alb
soutey necessary to exclude hirengs, Migrants
and ntcrlopes from exercising the sacred privilege of
voting BY hrelings the tools of Northern Aid
Societies and abolition emssares. 1t should therefore
be scnuously insisted and enforced that such quali
cation is Indispensable