The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-10-31

Of the constitution they may organize another oonve
ton Immediately and adopt any repubcn forn after
they are once State Ssaes s'bnaAg Ha az o C6Wss
This is plain. Twelve States had been admitted
without submitting their constitutions thus estab-
fishing formidable and binding precedent to which
Governor Wise was ready to yield obedience. There
was nothing new, then, in the case Of Kansas The
law that controlled il was established by Congress
not by direct Legislation but by precedent action.
Governor Wise so regarded it. Il was better that
constitutions should be submitted for ratification or
rejection but then, if the form is republican they
are legally binding nevertheless and should be
treated accordingly Congress had made the law
out Of its own way of doing business. That body
could not go behind the convention, unless in the
territorial act calling tinto existence twas directed
to submit its abors TO the people for approval re-
lection. Such were the views and opinions of Gov.
Wise last year. 1t is due to him, however, to say
that he then argued stouty against the propriey of
the precedent though he admitted its legality and
force. His idea was, that powers delegated to
vention are specific and that all powers not dele
gated reserved that the Kansas Legislature, in
emitting all reference to the question of submission
in their act of the 9th of February 1857 reserved
to the people the right to sit in Judgment upon the
constitution which their convention might frame.
This was Governor Wise's idea of what the law
ought to have been but it not the law after all
which controlled his judgment of the case for he dis
tincty says, "Yetn upon precedent, the convention
of Kansas adopts republican form of State govern
ment and reports it to Congress- Dho submitting tito
the people, agree with Mr. Hunter in accepting it,
nd 10 Sfaba int,
Union" Why2 Because that is the law. Gov
Wise exhibited great deal of learning to prove that
the rule ought not to have been established but
like good democrat, knowing that in democratic
country rules created by the majority he cheer
fully advised submission to it. That was clearly
right. 1t was orderly, becoming, patriotic, and
magnanimous for it is surely more meritorious to
submit to law, the objections to which are obvi-
ous than to one of manifest justice. The sacrifice
in such case is what good citizen, like Gov. Wise
is always ready to make in his country's behalf
But, again, of the Illinois letter Gov Wise has
changed his mind He will not 60 step with Mr..
Hunter as he travelled with him last year, but dis
charges all his old guides obierates his foot prints
of November 1857 and declares, substantially that
upon precedent or otherwise, with or without"
a republican form of government, should conven-
tion of Territory report constitution to Congress
without submitting it to the sovereign people" he
will denounce it 'ft only for slaves" and its en-
dorsers as "despots." Where, now, is Gov Wise's
precedent to which he advised obedience last year
Has the rule been repealed? Are the dozen States
admitted into the Union without submission gov
erned by despots and inhabited only by slaves But
what did Gov. Wise think last November of the sf-
feet 80 far the people concerned, of admitting
States on tho principle of precedent authority
Did he then that it would make ''slaves" of
them2 He says that, in any euent, the people will
get jurisdiction of their organic law, that it
will be subjected at last to the popular will )" and
that if majority do notapprove their constitution
they may organize another convention Immediately,
aud adopt any republican form, after they are once
State without submitting it to Congress-" 1t will
be conceded that this is easy process of emancpa-
ting 'enslaved people; and we should feel more
sure of the ultimate triumph of free institutions
everywhere if despots held their positions by so
frai tenure If Governor Wise's system then, of
making Slaves" is not an improvement on the mon
archica principle to which he refers in his letter to
the Douglas committee, his plan of striking off their
letters is surely effective than has here
tofore been discovered. It was proposed simply to
make Kansas a sovereign State and we are told
how the people in that would call another con-
vention Immediately, and adopt such organic law as
they might desire. This was the opinion of the
Governor last year, while this he is clear that to
admit Kansas into the Union even by virtue of pre-
cedent authority, constitution created by con-
vention without subsequent endorsement of the peo-
pie, would make slaves of them all. Now, if to
eudow people with sovereign authority is to enslave
them, to keep them in subsection must enfranchise
them. If those who admit them into the Union are
despots, those who vote to keep them out must be
the best of liberty-loving patriots. .. ..
Bullet us have word touching the practical bear
ing of Governor Wses doctrines about the "abso-
Iutsm of conventions" If he was ready to agree
with Mr. Hunter in November, 1857, to admit Kan
sas into the Union the Lecompton constitution
the product of an 'absolutistic convention, /" why
does he declare that such admission this year would
eusave the people, and denounce the project as the
work of despots? If he is right he has much
to answer for account Of his letter of November
The truth is quite apparent that Gov Wise's
enthusiasm is more than match for his memory
D. - ..... ...
GOV. Stewards SPEECH AT ROCHESTER.
If In a..