Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-12-11

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When we compare the condition Of the country 81
the present day with whas ii was one yesr ago. At
The meeting Of Congress, we have much reason Tor
gratitude to that Almighty Providence which nss
never failed 70 interpose for our relief ct the most
critical periods Of our history. One year ago the
sectional strife between the North and the South on
the dangerous subject Of slavery had again become
60 intense to threaten the peace and perpetuity
Of the conlederacy. The application for the admis
sion Of Kansas as Stat9 iBto the uDioR fostered
this unhappy agitation, and brought the whole SUBJ
Jet once more before Congress Il Vas the desire
OF every patriot that such OF legislation
might be adopted IS would remove the excitement
from the States, ard eonhne It 70 the Territory
where Il legtmatey belonged Much has been
done an happy to say, towards the accomplish
nsnt Of this object during the last session Of Con-
gress.
The Supreme Court Of the United States had pre-
siously decided that all American citizens have an
equal right take intO the Territories whatever Is
held as property under the laws Of any Of the
States, and to hold such properly there under the
guardianship Of the Federal Constitution, 50 long
IS the Territorial condition shall remain.
This is nov well established position, and the
proceedings Of the last session we're alone wanting
70 give it practical effect The principle has bean
recognised in some form other. by an almost
unanimous vote Of both Houses o. Congress, that
Territory has right to come into the Unien eth
er q free slave State, according TO the viii Of
q majority Of its people The just equality OF all
the States has thus been vindicated, and fruitful
Whilst such has been the beneficial tendency Of
your legislative proceedings outside Of Kansas,
their inAuencehas nowhere been 50 happy as within
that territory ITSELF Left to manage and control its
own affairs in is way, without the pressure Of
external influence the revolutionary Topeka organi-
zatioD and ali resstsnce the territorial government
established by congress have been finally abandon
ed. As q natural consequence, that me territory
now appears to be tranquil and prosperous, and Is
attracting increasing thousands Of immigrants to
make il their happy home.
The past unfortunate experience Of Kansas has
enforced the lesson, 50 often already taught that
resistance TO lawful authority under our form OF
government cannot fail Ia the end TO prove disas~
trous to its authors. Had the people Of the ferris
tory yielded obedience to the laws enacted by their
Legislature, it would at the present moment have
contained large additional population Of industri-
Gus and enterprising citizens, who have been de-
TERED from entering lis borders by the existence Of
civil strife and organized rebellion.
Il was the resistance to rghtfut authority and the
psrseveFing attempts 10 establish revolutionary
government under the Topeka constitution which
caused tbs people Of Kansas to commit the grave er-
ro Of refusing to vote for delegates 20 the 9onven
ton to frame constitution, under law not denied
to be fair and just In its provisions This refusal
TO vote has been the prolific source OF al the evils
which have followed In their hostility to the TerS
rioral government they disregarded the principle,
absolutely essential to Che working Of our form OF
government, that majority Of those who vOte--not
the majority who may remain at home, from whats
ever oause-must decide the result or an elecuon.-
For this reason, seeking to take advantage Of their
their own error, they denied the authority Of the
Convention thus elected to frame constitution.
Tbs Convention Notwithstanding, proceeded to adopt eOns
in its general features and providing ior
the uhmssOn Of the slavery question to vote Of The people
which, in ny opinion they were bound 2 &c snss bb ~
alone convuse the Territory and yet the oppolensol
ia 3 VOTE a. and Tesrred hat slavery should con
aue than surrender their revolutionary Topeka onLa
and better spirit seemed 70 prevail before the first Mon
srtop majority Ct the people then voted and
other state 0cers for member Of Congress and members Of
legislature This election vas warmly ~
political parties in Kansas and greater yo Ses Pollsl
than at any previous election large majority Of The members
Legislature elect belonged to taat parry Slen No P
ously refused The anti slavery party we're mus placed
hDds HAD Congress admitted Kanss into The Union IN
the Lecompton constitution, The legislature s - - We
Tbbsr they would have convention 70 amend
t constttion either on the slavery any other question:
- % 5oi al necessary means for giving speedy effect
Tie majority Thus the Kansas question "oela nave
been Immediately and finally settled. . A., .,
Under circumstances, submitted to Congress the const
tuition thus framed with all the oHeerl SeAay eieG ~
strong IN favor Of the admission Of kansas IS
formed aav oizi at which in retrospect has afforded me
more heartfelt satisfaction It's admission could nave naSe
sf period restored peace 70 Kansas and harmony 70 me
Union In the slavery question would ere thiS nave
-, sns titled according to legal will Of
majority OF he voters and popular "ou' mus w
been INDICATED in constitutional manner
with my deep Convictions Of duty, could have pursued no
other course It that individual had expressed
an opinion both and during the session Of The Convnion
An favor Of submitting the remaining clauses OF the constitution
saEe hatooncening slavery to the people But acng N
myself human authOTltyh aa
r. noE 70 rguIge proceedings Of the Convention, and de
clare hs & ood have been violation
braska act, which left the people o. ne
uleo only Constitution Of the United States would
equally nave s 51 % deprive The people Of he
power, they thought proper toeHrcs y, O 20
without requiring them subject heir constituents he ueuDe
expense, and delay Of a second eiesa1n. y SoGIa 2 IN
@ - Of tie Republic admission Of Territories as sies
fr f ~ lam ntd that question nsignlhoant, when
viewed in its practical effects the people Of hasas whether
edo one way or the 0her should have indled such lame
81 ~ he lesson q wisdom warning for future
guidance Practically consdered the question Is a.-nP by
whether the people Of that Territory should nfs ,n
nion and change provision IN their constitution not
s f n the Union and framing another Constitution in
accordaBce their will In either case me result S9ut
precisely the same The only daeFenoe IN tn IA ~ a
cation OF Kansas speedily effected had been aaueo s ;
state during tine last session Of Congress.
REORGANIZATION however, for the immediate ad-
mission Of Kansas failed TO meet the approhauon 81
Congress. They deemed 1t wiser TO adopt a diner
ent measure for the settlement of the question For
nv own part should have been willing to yield my
ascent TO almost any constitutional measure TO &C
eomplish this object /, therefore, cordially acqu-
ssced in what has been called the English eompro-
mise and approved the "Act for the admlsslon OF
the State of Kansas into the Union upon the TERMS
therein prescribed.
T7e he ordinance accompanied the Lecompon consul
% te eple OF had claimed double The quantity OF
prev1usIy granted any STATE upon entering he Union
I The alternate sections Of land for twelve miles on eaGh
80 ~ o railroads proposed be constructed from the north
~ s,tbern boundary from the eastern % the western
5s-v I'd he STATE. Congress- douiug these claims unreas
May 4 lol-, 20 which have Just
rrs3 FOR the OF the Stale on an equal loog win
~ sI states but 'supon fundamental condition Pree
% st majority e people thereei al an election 70 ee
for tt purpose should in place OF ne very large ganu
tlfe s which they had demanded under me ordinance
-. gsnts As had made % Mnnesotd and other new
,5sr bis sc should majority REJECT the proposition
F-a5 them, shsn Be deemed and hsiu "a W
-. A. ~ desire admission into the Union with SAID consatu
80 tFa s5adtions set forth in said proposition"
in that event the act authorizes the people OF the
Territory TO elect delegates to form constitution
and STAT, government for themselves, whenever,
and not before, 1t is asoertsned by census duly
and legally taken that the population Of sara Ter
rtory EQUALS or exceeds the ratio OF representation
required for a member of the House Of Represen-
tatives Of the Congress of the United States Inc
delerates thus assembled shall first determine by
a vote whether it is tho wish Of the people OF the
ronosed State be admitted into the Union at that
ms and IL So shall proceed form constitution
and take all necessary steps for the establishment
IF n State government in conformity with the Fed
o-oI Constitution" After this constitution shall
have been formed Congress, carrying out the prin-
flss of popular sovereignty and non-interventiOu,
49, Isf sthe mode and manner Of its approval or
~, ,aopla Oft he urODOspd Sfafefi IN