The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-03-30
THE lECOMpION CONSTITUTION.
Great Democratic Gathering IN New
Rochelle
SEceth Of General Aarep Ward IN ,uppsrt
OG The Adnlinlstr alton,

Al large and enthusiastic meeting Of the Ma
tional Democrats of the town of New Rochelle,
h.l at me Town Hall in that village, on Friday
evening, March &c, 1861 Richard lathers, Esq,
was un an mously elected Chairman aud Theodore
Price Secretary.
The Chairman, after concluding an interesting
address intr, duced TO the meeting their ie'lowcit
zen General AARON Wand, oi Westcbester Comfy
WHO was received wit much warmth ny the meet
ipg On rising to respond to the call the General
turned his thanks for their kind reception OF him.
ara remarked that the committee appointed by this
Meeting had called in person upon him at his resi-
dence. that morning, and urged him u attend the
meeting Of the national democratic party, which
call was signed by large number OF your principal
citizens, who were in favor OF the immediate adms-
zion OF Kansas under the Lecompton constitution.
aud be elt il to be his duty 10 comply with their
qusst bu, he disclaimed any intention on his part
To interfere with their local nominations, but would
C, mine himself to the great question which wasnow
agituiing the public mind.
Owing to the crowded condition OF columns
we regret that opy afford space for a lew OF
the speakers observations.
We have, said, General Ward great reason
to be thankful that we have at our head chief
magistrate who IL every way lifted Tor the Crisis
he is firm as the rock the shore, At whose base
The pillows may dash aud roar III van aud around
who're front the gathering tempest may burst with
cut injury. His late message on the all absorbing
Kansas question is Of the most able State papers
al the present day, and Will compare 'avoraby with
any similar document that has ever elnanated from
the executive chair of this nation. (Applause)
Ills large experience q statesman in the halls OF
C0ngItss-bOth as a member OF the House OF Repre-
sertatNes and OF the Senate Vi the United
States--duiing the most trying period OF our
ltSfn
son, which he sustained with consummate ability,
IN also Minister Plenipotentary at the Court OF
st. Petersburg, Secretary Of State under the adj
MinstratiOn oi President Polk, and finally as Min
lister at the Court OF 81. James, have eminently
ouaI,ted him to discharge the high Ard important
tist reposed in him by the democracy OF the coun-
tiy and his infexibe hrniness gives III 'tlrance 10
the tue friends Of our country that We uave nOth
ibg 10 aprehend in regard 10 the safety OF the ship
oi State while such pilot " at the helm. he en-.
tered upon the duties OF his high station with full
termination not to allow h's name To b.; used AZ
candidate for reelection. tie still AZ understand,
adheres Ia that determination. He Is not, therefore,
influenced in tie discharge of his responsible and
important duties in the slightest degree by personal
or selfish considerations. But having received the
re,ns Of government from the people, he is resolved
~ yield them again ut the close OF mis- present term
uDi paired Our political opponents and their anti
allle. whO are now carrying on an unrigteo'ia war
against him, must be careful lest I'D their zeal 10
carry their point by their unparalleled violence and
abuse against faithful patriot and devoted friend
u hs country they do not force the people to insist
upon his giving up his opinion and yield
ing to their wishes TO run again for a second
We have marlborough, fellow citizens, of bleed
ing Kansas. II IN high time that the public mind
should have some repose. We nave matters OF much
more importance at home that demand our atten-
ton; but think bismanifest from what we can
hear and zee around an about us that oar political
opp bepts and their new adhcrents are desirou, OF
keeping il alive in order to bring II into the next
- Ia n hat UlA hat
they are now opposed tn the admission of Kansas IN
a sovereign State into the Union under the Lscomp-
ton constitution tor they know full well that the
moment il IL admitted they will no longer have
subject which will enable them to keep up the sa-
very and sectional agitation. They well informed
Oh this subject and they know that IA the Topeka
rarity have the majority in that Territory In the pro-
| portion numerically, as they Ray themselves, oil
three topeka men to democrat, that the peacea
BIC peoy Of the Territory can and will, In spite OF
their vioent and turbulent rulers. soon after its ad
mi -son ~ . State frame new constitution, either
With ~ without slavery. as they may choose, which
will enectuaIy put q stop TO any further ssits-
ton On that exciting subject. (Appisuse) 10
seems To me that all who will examine this
matter with candor cannot fall " come 10 the
co.. clusion that the present contest In, a. l have
tailed purely political contest for tho Presidency
Presidential candidates are springing up daily IN
every section of country. But IN my opln,pu, IL
In now altogether ton early ~ commence the political
campaign for ls60; aud when the inns tor another
Presidential contest shall diaw near, the weapons
Row uscd against the present Chief Magistrate VAL
he out OF date and in the ranks OF our Opponents
there may and, think, there will he such changes
~ render their more dangerous to those who
WELD thenhhan To those against whom they are now
directed. lApPianse, IT,. .,;. :, ,.,,o., .,
The question IN respect 70
the admission Of Kansas "a sovereign state into
the Union under the Lecompton constitution Is now
ebQiosing the attention of Congress almost IN the
exclusion of all other business; and IN alleged that
the greater part VI our political opponents who now
Hin lIna
sion of any other slave State into the Union Some Of
the members in Congress, II u true, have Ia so many
words declared that they Will not vote Tor
the admission Of q slave State north OF
OF SO 49, Notwithstanding the compromise measures
of 1850 aud the act of 1854. There some few abo
tion member who have taken the broad groun that
they are opposed To the admission oil any other
slav. State; but, thank heaven, their numbers are
very limited and they do not deserve any con-dera
fion what, yer. But fellow citizens entertain no
dosht that large majority OF the democratic party,
as well Is q majority u the national Know No.hlng
party, will adhere rcigou-y ~ IT, Tor that do trine
IL designed To promote the harmony VI the Union,
by rem wing from the federal councils the danger
Gus agitation OF the slavery question aud aso OF re-
lleying the people OF the slaveholdiny states from
the arbitrary power OF hostile .yr.es a.u was
was fought and calamity won. (Appls'Ise) The
admission OF Kansas at this time u generally 70 be
desired because il l. calculated To restore peace aud
harmony to the people of the country generally, aud
quiet and prosperity and good feeling 10 Kansas.
The constitution framed at Lecompton was the re-
sut Of regular and legal exercise OF power IN every
respect, and az such Is valid aud binding aud should
he 20 regarded by Congress. That defects aud er.
rors-if any exist-csn and will be removed by the
people of Kansas In their sovert Ign STATE capacity,
after its admission into the Union. Frauds may be
and doubtless were committed ON both sides; bat II
IL particularly the province Of their Legislature,
when in Senate and Assembly convened, " settle all
election frauds. No other power, according to par
iiamenfarv usage can interfere Herewith Congress
powesses no power. The constitution Vi the United
States and Of the respective States, including the
Lecompton constitution, each contain providon on
each House shall be the Judge Of the election
returns and qualif cations Of ts own members"
in such cases. And a. popular sovereignty Is the
great question Of popular rights. where the State rs
sdmitted then its people viii he enabled 70 exercise
those rights TO their greatest extent, and surely
the Topeka party claim 10 have 10 large majority
1T fhpir in