Kanawha Valley star. [volume] (Charleston, Va. [W. Va.]) 1856-1861, 1858-12-14

"A * rs /. T f Va i
constitutlonlmay pIescribe.,
gf An election was held throughout Kan
sas. 10 pursuance ofthe provisions ofthis
act. on the al day Of August last. and ii.
resulted in the rejection. by large ma
jority. Of the proposition submitted to the
people by Congress. This being the
case, they are now authorized 10 form an
other constitution, preparatory to admis-
sion into TIL Union. but not until their
number, as ascertained BIZ a census,
shall equal or exceed the ratio required
20 elect q nfemberlto the House Of Repre-
sentatives.sk Il y 44s,s 81
u IS not probable, in the present state
gof, the case, that a third constitution can
be lawfully framed and presented 70 Con-
gress BY Kansas. before its population
shall have reached the designated num-
Der: Nor IS to be presumed that, after
their sad experiences IN resisting the ter
ritorial laws, they viii attempt % adopt i
constitution III express violation Of an act
q Congress. During the session Of i849.l
much 81 The time Of Congress was occu-
pied on the question of admitting Kansas
under the Topeka constitution. Again
nearly the whole Of the last session was
devoted to The question pf ills admission
Under the Lecpmpton constitution. Sure
~ ii ii not unreasonablefto require Che
people of Kansas to wait before making a
third attempt, until the number Of their
Inhabitants shall amount to ninety three
thousand four hundred and twenty. i
During this brief period tile harmony
Of the States as well as the great business
interests Of the country. demand that The
people Of the Union shall not for a third
ftime be eonyulsed by another agitation
ion the Kansas question. By waiting for
IN short time, and acting in obedience to
Jaw, Kansas iwill glide into The Union
without lie slightest impeachment.
II This excellent provision which Con-
gress have applied to Kansas. ought to Be
extended and rendered applicable to all
Territories which may hereafter seek ad
mission into the Union.
Whilst Congress possesses The UNI
doubted powerfof admitting a new State
into the Union however small may be the
number Of its inhabitants yet the power
ought not, III my opinion, 10 be extended
before the population shall amount 10 the
ratio required BIZ the setforthe admission
Of Kansas. Had this been previously the
rule, the county would have escaped all
the evils and nisfortunes 10 which il has
been exposed BY the Kansas question.
of course, itIwould be unjust to give
this rule lie retrospective application, and
exclude d STATE which, acting upon the
past practice Of the government, has al
ready formed IFS constitution, elected its
legislature and other officers, and is, now
prepared to enter the Union.
The rule ought 10 be adopted, whether
we consider its bearing on the peopleioi
Ills lis Territories 6r upon the people Of the
existing States. Many oflhe sorious Dis
sessions which have prevailed in Con
gress and throughout the country, would
have beenIayoid9d had this rule been es-
Etablisled at an earlier period Of govern
meft.
Immediately upon. the formation Of
new Territory, people from different
States and foreign countries rush into il,
for the. laudibls purpose of improving
their condition. Their tirstduty u them
selves is to open and cultivate farms. to
construct roads, to establish schools. to
erect places Of religious Worship and TO
devote their energies generally Ia reclaim
the wildsrnesss and to lay the Foundation
Of i fioufishiug and prosperous DOMINION
wealth,
IL, I'M this incipient condition. with a
population Of 4 few thousand , thsyshould
preniaturely enter the Union, they are
opposed BY the burden Of State taxation,
and the means necessary for thelimproye.
Inent Of the Territory and the advance
ment Of their own interests, are thus d.
verted TO very different purposes "
The Federal government IhasIeYer been
i liberal parent to the Territories, and i
generous contributor to the useful enter-
prise of the earlyssettlers. Ithas paid 1.-the
expenses of their governments and legisla-
live assemblies out Of the comm 81 treas I
ury. and thus relieved them from \ heavy
charge.
h Under these circumstances, nothing
can be better calculated to retard their
material progress, than to divert them
from their useful employmenEs. BY pre-
maturely excitingt angry political con-
tests among themselves for The benefit 81
aspiring leaders. It is surely no hard
ship for embryo governors. sdnators and
members Of Congress-, 10 wait until the