Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-02-17
KANSAS POLICY OF THE ADMINISTRATION.

KANSAS POLICY OF THE ADMINISTRATION.
We copy the following letter Of the Hon. j. Clan.
cey jones' of Pa, to Democratic meeting in Phila-
delphia as containing remarkably clear and forci.
BILE exposition of the policy Of the Administration in
WASHINGTON, Dec. %, 1857.
GENTLEMEN have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your invitation to attend meeting of the
Democracy of Philadelphia, to be held on Monday
next for thepurpose of sustaining the message of the
president l regret that my duties here compel me
to forego the pleasure it would afford me accept
your invitation. The message is one which has my
hearty and cordial approval. The doctrine of popu-
lar sovereignty is now settled and integral part of
the Democratic creed So ALSO is its correative that
of non-intervention by Congress in the domestic
affairs of the Territories As ours is a government
Of law and order, the popular will of the Territory
can only be known through its legal representa-
tves.
The mode and manner of conveying that will to
the Federal Government belongs exclusively to the
people of the Territory If they direct that it shall
be made known only through the popular suffrage
ratying the acts of their representatives. it can be
representatives to speak for them without submission
or by partial submission to their popular vote it is
alike binding for while, in each and every case, We
have no right to dictate, suggest, intervene, I
consider it the highest attribute of popular sover-
eighty to allow the people of Territory not only to
but to do this in their oaon aody and not the acay
that Congress may suggest. Kansas has done this.
The President has no legal knowledge of the pop
uar will there, except through its chosen rep
resentatves. If he were to reject disregard this
it would not only nullify the act of popular sover-
einty, communicable him through legitimate chan
nels but it would be Intervention with high hand,
and an Executive usurpation far more odious than
Congressional. The new doctrine that the popular
will cannot be made known through its own chosen
agents, lit be their will so to do, is abrdgment
of sovereignty-a limitation of the power Of the
people, imposed on them by Congress, which
assumes, without constitutional authority, to exer-
else it. 1t is setting up higher law than the Con-
sttuion, fnasmuch as it abrogates the whole system
of representative government.
recognize in the people of Kansas, when they
are sufficiently numerous the absolute right in the
exercise of sovereign power to settle their domestic
institutions; and recognize it as one of the highest
attributes of that sovereignty that they may choose
their own acny, their own mode and manner. If
the Executive or Congress can dictate the manner,
compel them to select q particular mode, other
than that of their own choosing, then popular SOW.
ereignty is farce. II the agents abuse the trust,
to whom arc they responsible? To the people, if
they sT int d ihf
acceptable to the people Of Kansas it is easy for
them to change it; popular sovereignty comedies
them that right. But if Congress attempts to
change It. congressional sovereignty SuperSeoeS pop
ular sovereignty. and the battle Of 1856 has been
fought in vain. have no regard for the Lecomp.
ton Convention Constitution, except far as it
is the manifestation Of the will of sovereign people,
made known through their own agents. 1t is be.
cause am bound to regard this Constitution as the
act of the people, and not of the Convention, that
accept it. acknowledge the right of the people to
abrogate, alter or amend this Constitution. Ideny
that right to the Executive Congress. With these
views, my sympathies and feelings with you.
Very truly, yours
j CLANCY JONES'
To GEO. PINT, Esq, and others, Committee.