The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1858-02-18

~ was piesehtcu. W Tue duheTehtS VI Tue lo-
peka Constitution, il they were the majority,
to decide this exciting question in their own
way, and thus restore the peace Of this dis
tracted Territory; but they again refused to
exercise the right of popular sovereignty, and
again suffered the election to pass by default
heartily rejoice that wiser and better
spirit prevailed among large majority Of
these peohle on the first Monday In January.
and that they did on that day vote under the
Lecompton Constitution, for a Governor and
other State, officers, a member Of Congress,
and members of the Leg islarure. This elec-
ton was warmly contested by the parties, and
larger vote polled than at any previous elec-
tion in the Territory. We may now reasona-
bly, hope that the revolutionary Topeka or
ganization will be speedily and finally aban-
dened, and this will 60 far toward final set
Element Of the unhappy differences in Kan
sas. g 81
If frauds have been committed at this cleo
ton by one or both parties, the Legislature
and people of Kansas under their Constitution
know how to redress themselves and punish
these detestable but too common crimes with
out outside interference.
The people Of Kansas have then in their
own way, and in strict accordance with the
organic act, framed Constitution and State
Government, have submitted the all important
question of slavery 10 the people, and have
elected Governor, member Of Congress.
members of the State Legislature, and other
officers, and they now ask admission into the
Union under this constitution. Republican in
its form, it is for Congress to decide whether
they will admit or reject the State which has
thus been created. For my own part am
decidedly in favor of its admission, thus term
mating the Kansas question. This will car
ry out the great principle of non-intervention.
Sanctioned by the organic act which dec 'ares
in express language in favor Of the non-i,ter-
vention Of Congress with slavery IN the States
and Territories; leaving the people perfectly
free to Form and regulate their domestic insti .
tutip in their own way. subject only TO the
Constitution of the United States. In this
manner, BY localizing the question Of slavery
and combining it to thu people who are immedi-
ateiy concerned, every, patriot anxiously ex-
pected tina, this question would be banished
from the halls of Congress, where it has al
ways exerted baneful influence to the coun-
try.
Mr.. Buchanan further suggests: II has
been solemnly adiudged by the HIGHEST Judi
cial tribunal that slavery exists in Kansas by
virtue of the Constitution of the United States
Kansas is therefore at this moment as much
slave State as Georgia or South Carolina
Without this, the equality OF the sovereign
States composing the Union would be violated
and the use and enjoyment Of the territory ac
qnired by the common treasure Of all the
States would be closed against the people and
property Of nearly half Of the members of the
confederacy. Slavery can therefore never be
prohibited in Kansas except through the means
of constitutional provisioI and in 70 other
manner can this be obtained 80 promptly, IL
the majority of the people desire it, as by ad-
hitting her into the Union under present Con-
stitntion. On the other hand, should Con-
gress reject the Constitution under the idea of
affording the disaffec.ed in Kansas third OPP
portunity 10 prohibit slavery IN the State.
which they might have done twice before, ii
in the majority, no man can foretell the con-
sequences. If Congress, for the sake Of these
men who refused to vote on the 2lst of De-
cember, when they might, as they claim have
stricken slavery from the Constitution, should
now reject this State because slavery remained
in the Constitution, it is manifest that the OBJ
Jection upon this subject will be renewed in
more alarming form than it has ever before
assumed.