Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-12-09
CLEARFIELD, PA, DEC. 8, 1851.
POLITICAL SLAVES.

A portion of the Democratic party seem to
be the mere echo of party leaders. They are
willing to stoop as low as the Slave Power
chooses to demand-to obey at all times the
behests of their Southern Masters. Such ap-
pears to US to be the humiliating position OF
those who not long since were shouting for
Popular Sovereignty, but who are now defend
ing and aiding the attempt to force aConstitu-
ton upon the People of Kansas, without CIV
ing them an opportunity of voting against it,
if they felt so disposed.
On the other hand, we find respectable
number of prominent men and influential
journals of that party, that seem to be guided
by the better impulses of their nature, and
are willing to carry out their professions, by
giving the people OF Kansas an opportunity Of
voting on the adoption of State Constitution.
The action of the late Constitutional Conven.
tion, which would deprive the people of the
Territory of that right, is therefore. as it should
be, unqualjfedly denounced by them. The
Press terms that body ga miserable minority
Convention" and declares that the COnstitu-
tion which it framed, observes nothing but
contempt Other Democratic papers de-
Douglass himself insists on ignoring the action
of that body, and securing to the people the
right to form constitution for themselves,
and considers the Lecompton movement in di-
rect violation of the Kansas \ Nebraska bill and
the Cincinnati platform.
Our neighbors of the CIearfeld Republican,
however, disregarding the opinions of these
lesser lights of Democracy, and following the
lead of those rcsplendent and dazzling lumina-
ries, the Washington Union, the Pennsy ytuGnian,
Senator Bigler and statesmen of his kidney,
view it in different way. They think the
Constitution s.embodies the sentiment and
wishes of the settlers of Kansas" and are in
favor Of carrying out the acts. of the Conven-
tion-and this, it would seem, is also the posi-
tion of President Buchanan. 1t is palpably
clear, however, that it does not ssembody the
sentiment and wishes" of the people of Kan
sas. 1t no doubt is satisfactory to the ultra
Pro-saverites; but a large majority of the
settlers are undoubtedly dissatisfied with it.
1t is all sheer nonsense and fol-de-rol to talk
about the slavery clause embodying the oatl
issue. The constitution gay contain .other
Objectionable features. But suppose il does
net. Then there should be so much the less
objection to submitting it directly to vote OF
the people, in accordance with the doctrine
OF Popular Sovereignty. 1t must be apparent
to every intelligent man that this Lecomptor
constitutional movement is deep-laid scheme
to Illustrate the will of the majority
We are somewhat curious to know how those
who voted for Buchanan because they were
assured he was in favor of ssFree Kansas will
now regard him and those who gave assuran
ces to that effect. His whole course since ht
delivered his Inaugural bellies those promises
First he sanctioned the Dred Scott Decision
then he decided that Slavery exists in the
Territories, under the Federal Constitution
and now he is using the weight OF his position
as President to sustain the action of the So
called Constitutional Convention, which, i
carried out will fix Slavery irrevocably upor
Kansas, if nothing else would.