Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1857-12-19

The following is IN extract Of the great
speech delivered by Judge Douglas, in the
L. S. Senate, on the 9th inst Judge Dou-
gas took exception to that portion of the
Presidents Message which relates to slavery.
We regret that we have not room enough
for the whole speech, which is an overwhclm.
ing argument in favor of his position and
against the adoption Of the Lecomptou Con-
stitution;
1t is sufficient for my purpose That the
Administration Of the Federal government
unanimously, that the administration of the
territorial government, in all its parts, unani-
mously understood the territorial law under
which the convention was assembled to mean
that the constitution TO be formed by that
convention should be submitted TO the people
for ratification or rejection, and if not con-
frmed by majority of the people, should be
null and void, without coming to Congress
for approval. Not only did the National
government and the territorial government
so understand the law at the time, but. as
have already stated, the people of the terri
tory so understood it. AS further evidence
on that point large number, if net the ma
jority, Of the delegates were instructed in the
| nominating conventions to submit the consti-
tuition to the people for ratification. know
that the delegates from Douglas county, eight
in number, Mr.. Calhoun, President OF the
convention, being among them, were not only
instructed TINS to submit the question, but
| they signed and published while candidates
written pledge that they would submit it tC
the people for ratification. ] know that men
! high in authority and iE the confidence of the
! nd
! every part Of Kansas during the election O
/ delegates, and each one Of them pledged him
| self TO the people that no snap Judgment was
to be taken that the constitution was to be
| submitted to the people, for acceptance OF
| rejection that it would be void unless tha
was done; that the Administration woult
| spurn and scorn it as violation of the prn
! ciples on which it came into power, ana tina
/ Democratic Congress would hurl it from
! their presence as an insult to Democrats wht
stood pledged 10 see the people left free Il
form their domestic institutions for themselves
! Not only that, sir bat up to the time when lht
! Convention assembled, on the frat of Septam
| bcr, so FAR as | can learn, it was understood
everywhere that the constitution was to 5O
! submitted tor ratification or rejection. The,
met, however, on the first of September, ant
| adjourned until after the October election.
think it wise and prudent that they shoul,
thus have adjourned. They did not wish t,
bnrg any question into that election whcl
would divide the Democratic party, anr
weaken our chances of success in the election
| was rejoiced when | saw that they d
adjourn, so as MOTTO show their hand on an
question that would divide and distract th
party until after the election. During tina
recess, while the convention was adjourned
Governor Ransom, the Democratic candidat
/ i0r Congress, running against the resen
delegate from that territory, was caHyassn
every part OF Kansas in favor Of the doctrin
of submitting the constitution to the peopl,
declaring that the Democratic party were !
favor of such submission, and that it was
slander of tho Black Republicans to intmat
the charge that the Democratic party di
not intend to carry out that pledge in goo
faith. Thus, up to the time of the meetin
of the convention, in October last the pr,
, tence was kept up, the profession was epenl
made and believed by me, and thought b'
lieved by them, that the convention ntende
to submit "a constitution TO the people, an
! not to attempt to put government in OPT
, ration without such submission. The ee
tion being over the Democratic party bein
defeated by an overwhelming vote, the oppt
sition having triumphed and got possession
e both branches Of the Legislature, and havin
= elected their territorial delegate, the conye,
e tion assembled aud then proceeded - eou
plete their work.
Now let us stop to inquire how they e
. deemed the pledge TO submit the eo9se.'it'.o
: to the people. They first Gf S"I' 'saH'
consultations. TAeP that the constjtn,io" io'' q
i which they December-the present month
Iiall be submitted to all the bona fsye iuhab
tsnts OF the territory on that day for tbei
/ free acceptance or rejection, in the folowin
manner. to wit; thus acknowledging tha
they we're bound to submit it to the will {
the people, conceding that they had no RICH
to put it in operation without submitting
/ to the peoples providing ia the iustrumen
that 1t should take effect from and after tn
i, date OF its ratification and not before; show
ing that the constitution derives its vitalit,
IN their estimation. not from the authority {
the Convention, but from that vote of tb
people to which it was to be submitted 70
their free acceptance or rejection. How is
to be submitted? 1t shall bo submitted /
this form: Constitution with Slavery O
Constitution with no Slavery" All me
must vote for the constitution whether the