The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-04-01
THE STATE OF KANSAS.

Under this head the National Democrat, a free
state paper published at Lecompton, Kansas has the
following significant article, to which we call the
special attention of those who profess tender So
licitude fer The interests of the people of Kansas
Inc NATIONAL Democrat represents phase of
the opposition to the Lecompton constitution in Kan
sas and, while objecting to that instrument, is
strenuously in favor of immediate admission under
It, 1t is Of opinion that the Territory cannot be
admitted too soon all it desires is to be speed.
~ admitted" and it asks the friends of Kansas to
aid IN granting the petition before Congress to
that effect" 1t does not think any outrage to Kan
sas can of tho measure. 1t evidently is of
opinion that the wounds of Kansas will not be made
to bleed afresh by admission. Whatever may be
said OF the reasons it urges in behalf of speedy adj
mission, all must agree that admission itself without
compromise or palaver is the thing most desired by
and desirable for tho new State
All governments instituted for the purpose of pre
serving our liberties must derive all their lust powers
from the consent of the governed self evident truth
that few will venture to controvert.
Representatives of the people Cannot enact ann la,o that
the next or any succeeding body of representatives de-
nvng their authority from the source and elected
Ior inc same 4ecWc purpose, may not repeal, also
In our article of last week we showed the difference
between fundamental and ordinary legislation that the
one was made by the people, and the other by their rem
resentatives that to admit the power of
70 make constitutional law would be deprive ourselves
OF the benefit of fundamental or fixed law for this rea
son-the power that makes can also repeal The peope
having once made constitution only alter or ubol- |
s IT In the mode and at the they have prescribed
excepting they resort to revolutionary moycment |
which, II successful is denomnated patriotism IL unsuo
cessful rebellion
F. I.
We are now about to be admitted as sovereign State
OF this great confederncy upon the petition of conven
ton OF delegates who framed constitution and ,surned
the power OF declaring it binding upon us ,olo,a TIC con-
sent Of aie governed We shall therefore continue with
y hrnness 70 oppose this invasion of the rights of the
people we acknowledge the right of Congress to admit
Us INTO the unon State the petition of any BODY
o lawfully constituted representatives of the people and
mat asmuch as the power to rule will be vested in Off
cis whom the people have chosen exists
WY they should object but, the contrary there are
many reasons why it is desirable the least important Of
which is that when admitted all the rights Of an indie
'ehdent sovereignty we shall be free from all outside in
erierence or control Our Territory has too long been
heatre upon which agtatos and designing men, seeking
dissolution of the Union, have exertcd bafeul infu
nee.
II will be our duty good citizens to obey all laws
hat may have been enacted whether by our representa-
ives in legislature assembled or by delegates to frame
constitution, until they lawfully repealed by the rep
OF the people What intended for our
ppreslon has been oveued by Providence for our good
II ~ Is written He taketh the wise in their own craft
ess Never was anything clearly cxempifed in ]
&c history OF this government. few men, congrat,
ting themselves on their superior cunning parted com
my one morning in the early part of the month of Jan
Try last elicitatng each other the adroitness with
hch they had succeeded in ovcrthrowing the will of
e people, and declaring that all now well arranged
balance of the work only depended the exercise of
C necessary sagacy. But alas for all human calcutta
ons and expectations. The crafty work of weary DAYS
~ seepess nights was all lost for the want of that s-
clty which had been in the parting moment invoked C
aus were they taken in their trap Man proposes.
it God disposcs ' q
The time has arrived for us to be clothed with the
Sh power OF sovereign State; we are now prepared
IL we cannot be admitted too soon We will then
We evidence that we capable of selfgovernment
at we comprehend the true theory of republican gov
hment that we need dctation from without nor e.
II we permit any from within All we desire is to be
eediy admitted and ask the friends of Kansas to aid
granting the petition before Congress to that e. "
10 that we may frame such government as W obtain :.
consent Of the governed 81
" We ask for no compromise nor do we want any %
know our rights, and knowing dare maintain then,