Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1858-12-15

The anii-slavery party were pisced in
the ascendant, and the political power Of
the State was in their own hands.
Had Congress admitted Kansas into
the Union under the Lecomplon Consti.
tuition, the Legislature might. at its very
first session. have submitted the ques-
tion to a vote Of the people. whether they
would or would not have a convention 10
amend their constitution either on the
slavery or any other question. and have
adopted ali necessary means for giving
speedy effect 10 the will of the majority.
Thus the Kansas question would have
been Immediately and finally settled.
Under these CT, circumstances. l submit
ted to Congress the constitution thus
framed, with all the officers already elect
ed necessary 10 put the State government
into operation, accompanied by a strong
Recommendation in favor OF the admis,
sion OF Kansas as a Stale. In the corrse
of any long public life l have never per-
formed any official act, which in the re-
Prospect has afforded me mere heartfelt
satisfaction. lis admission could have
inflicted no possible injury N any human
being, whilst it would, within a brief pc
rod, have restored peace 10 Kansas and
harmony to the Union. In that event,
the slavery question would ere this have
been finally settled, according to the
legally expressed will of a majority OF
the voters, and popular sovereignty would
thus have been indicated in q cousii,u-
tIonsl manner.
With my deep convictions o. duty, l
could have pursued no other course
1t is true that. as an individual. l had
expressed an opinion, both before and
during tie session of the convention, in
favor Of submitting the remaining clauses
of the constitution, as well as that CON
corning slavery, 10 the people. But, act
ing in an official character, neither my
self nor any human authority had the
power TO rejudge the proceedings of the
convention, and declare the constitution
which il had framed TO be a nulity. To
have done this would have been a viola
ton OF The Kansas Nebraska act, which
left the people of the territory perfect
ly free to form and regulate their dolnes-
tic institutions in their own way, subject
only to the constitution OF the United
States"
It would equally have violated the
great principle of populer sovereignty.
at the foundation of our institutions, to de
prive the people of the power, if they
thought proper 10 exercise it, Of conGd-
ing to delegates elected by themselves
the trusto of framing a constitution, with
out requiring them 10 subject their con-
stituents TO the trouble, expense, and de-
lay Of a second election. 1t would have
been in opposition 10 many precedents
in our history, commencing in the very
best age OF the republic, of the admis-
sion Of Territories as States into The Un-
ion, without a previous vote of tie people
approving their constitution.
1t is 10 be lsmented that a question so
Insignificant when viewed in lis practic-
effects on the people ofKansas, wheth-
er decided one way or the other, should
have kindled such a fame Of excitement
throughout the country. This reflection
may prove to be a lesson of wisdom ard
warning for our future guidance
Practically considered, the question Is
whether the people of that Terri
DRY should first come into the Union and
hen change any provision in their con-
i~tiiution not agreeable TO themselves, OF
accomplish the very same object by re-
naming out of the Union, and framing
constitution in accordance with
heir will? In either case, the result
would be precisely the same. The only
Inference 10 point of fact is, that the OBJ
ect would have been much sooner attain
d, and the pacification Of Kansas more
effected, had it been admitted
S a State during the last session of Con
-ress.
NV recommendation, however, for the
immediate admission OF Kansas, failed 10
leet the appreciation OF Congress. They
eemed it wiserto adopta different meas
re for the settlement OF the question
or my own part should have been will
~ tovield my aSsen.to almost any consti-
Ilional measure TO accomplishing this object.
therefore. cordially acquiesced in what
as been called the English compromise,
Di approved the 'ac: tor the admission
Kansas into lie Ugiop," upon The {
rms therein prescribed.
Under the ordinance which accompanied
ie Lecompton constitution. the people Of
-, III o1a1,,al lnthia tho o,~f:.- - IL
iblic lands for the support of common schools .
hich had ever been previously granted to !
" State upon entering the Usion; and also ,
e alternate sections Of land for twelve miles
each side Of two railroads, proposed ~ be
instructed from the Northern t0the Southern
,undary. and from the Eastern to the West l
n boundary on the State. Congress, deem ]
Q thsse claims U unreasonable. provided by J
; act of Nav 4. 1853. to which l Lave just, :
ferred, fer the admission Of the State, on :
equal footing with the original States. but :
the fund amental condition" that a :
aiority of the people thereof. at an election
be held for that purpose, should. in. place :
the very large gTar IS Of public lands which |
ey had demanded under the ordinance, ,
such grants as had been made to Minae- y
IN and other new States. d"
Under this act, should a majority reject the v
offered them. ST shall be deemed :
ID held that the people of Kansas do not de- !.
re admission in the Union with said consti- !.
ion under the conditions set forth in said !.
oposiiion." In that event the act aulhorises e
e people of the Territory 10 elect delegates :
form a constitution and State government q
themselves. "whenever, and not before, l.
is ascertained by a census, duly and legally !,
ken, hat the population o. said Territory =;
nal or exceeds the ratio Of representatives, =
Iuired for a member of the House of Repre- =
natives of The Congress of the United "
The delegates. thus assembled shall -
st determined by \ vote whether IT. is the =
Sd Of the people of the proposed State TO be =
mitted into the Union at that time, and, y
SO, shall proceed 10 form a constitution, and y
se ali necessary steps for he establishment y
a State government in conformity with the u
ieTal constitutions Alter this constitution
all have been formed, Congress, carrying e.
t the principles OF popular sovereignty and ~
n Intervention. have left the mode and =
inner OF its approval or ratification BY the a
ople of the prop Sed State" to be ''prrscrib- ~
by law, )" and Ihev "shall then be admitted !"
o the Union as 5. Stale under such c~onstitu ~
n thus fairly and legally made. with or G.
thout slavery. as said constitution may pre- III
ribe. =