New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-12-21

| We shall soon see.
"Wlll Douglas VIM" is the question Of the
hour; and, ss We cherish very decided convictions
that he ,W win-must win-we proceed to ind.
cate the grounds on which those convictions rest
We need not here expatate on the fundamental
fact that be is clearly in the right; yet this though
not decisive, must have weight In long and
arduous contest. Outside Of those who by party
allegiance and personal advantage or expectations
are committed to sustain whatever has the Pres.
dental sanction, there is absolutely dissent from
Mr.. Douglass essential proposition that no State
organization for Kansas must be recognized by
Congress which shall not have first received the
distinct approval and ratification Of majority OF
the People Of Kansas. Apart from the unanimous
Republican party, the almost equally unanimous
American party of the Free Ststes. and Mr.. Doug
lass section Of the Democratic party, Independent
observers Of no party, whether citizen or
only sojouning among us, are all united in
support Of this position. In the THOUSAND
journals or so received at this Office, we
note much surprise, or disappointment not to
say regret expressed by his lifelong adverEaries at
finding Mr.. Douglas the champion of this doctrine
-fiequclt arTaignments of bis sincerity or consist
eney in taking this position-but no intmation that
the position itself is unsound, except on the pvt
the anti Douglas section Of bis own party. Those
who endeavor to sustain the Lecompton Constitu
tion lave absolutely no support outside Of the circle
Of the party" while even the Democratic jour
nails Of the great North West seem to be nearly ten
TO one on the side Of Douglas, and they have able
eoaSjutors among their compAtriots in the older
Free States.
MI. Douglas has the further advantage of the
general admission of his opponents that what he
insists on in the case Of Kansas ought to be Cor to
have been) done. None but the EXTREMIST Southern
Fire. caters attempt to deny that the LecompsOn
Constitution should have been submitted to the
People. The very few who treat such Submission
"a upnecssary prove it the contrary by urging that
| If it had been submitted il would have been vote
dswn After that, to adduce arguments ~ any
sincere Republican or Democrat in favor OF Sub
mission must be work Of supererogaton.
But Mr.. Douglas hes on his side the further ad-
vantage Of Mr. Buchanan's recorded admission thst
| the Constitution ought to have been submitted.
The Message is clear enough on this point, but Mr..
Buchanan is on record as t.kiag far more deeided
| GROUND on tho subject. Here is a passage from
| his Letter Of Instructions to Gov. Walker on his
appointment;
"When such Constitution shall be submitted TO
the people Of the Territory they must be protected in
the exercise Of their right Of voting for Or against ha!
iH;rnmen and the fair expression Of the popular will
peat then, az my clear conviction, that unless the
Convention submit the Constitution to the vote OF all
the actual settlers of Kansas, and the election be
fairly ard justly conducted, the Constitution WM be
| and ought TO be rejected by Congress"
Here is an mmistaisble Endorsement ia advance
| Of Dir. Douglass present position-one which can
not be sYa1ed nor explained away. II the Presi.
dent WA right last June Mr.. Douglass right now.
Nay, the President clearly admits noie that MIR
Douglas is right, BY proposing tina: the principle
submission to the People be insisted on 10 all fatur
cases Of the organization of States. If that prin
ciple is good for all other cases, why not for this
Mr.. Douglas has the further advantage Of having
HE case entirely free frsm any complication with
nesrOe, or their tights. To nine. tsnths Of the
Democrats Of this free and lghtened Republic Il
is reason enough for opposing any measure or prin-
ciple that it 10 somehow deemed favorable to ne
groes or to involve their recognition as men, hav-
ing human faculties and rights. But Mr.. Douglas,
in insisting on the submission Of any proposed Con.
siituiion Of Ksnias to her People, has nothing to
say for negroes or the rshts of negroes. He svow,
himself ready 10 vote for the admission of Kansas,
OF Of any other embryo State, with Slavery, pro.
vided such is the fee choice Of her white inh.b
tants. 1t will be very hard to cry him down q, q
"Black Republican whiAbs bod' this position.
That Mr.. Douglas will Be able, in the outset to
pas, an Err sbling Act through the Senate, we do
not maintain. For, in the first pl,ce thirty Of the
sixty four Senator'S are from Slave States, aud,
| trough we do not kseve all Of these will sustain
the Lecompton fraud. We cannot indicate any one
of them a. certain not to do so. Then there are
AL..... p-..lt All ELtah If L, Iana Win sxara