The Nevada Democrat., 1858-04-07
NEVADA, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 1858.
Mr.. Diclxinson's Letter.

ingtOn, in regard to Kansas matters. we are
perfectly willing that both sides of this quss-
ton shall have fair hearing, and will en-
deayor to accommodate both parties SO far as
our space will permit. The letter has been pa
raded before the country as being master
produetion, and containing convincing argu-
meats in favor Of the Kansas policy Of the ad-
ministration. OF the merits Of Mr.. Dickinson's
arguments, every one caa Judge for himself
To our mind the letter is very ordinary pro-
duction, and we have failed 70 discover any
thing convincing or original in his arguments.
He deals much in fiction, and none whatever In
facts, and by suppressing the truth endeayors
to raise 1 false issue. He says that those who
refuse TO exercise one Of the dearest privileges
of freemen-that of the elective franchise-may
Indulge morbid grief, or cherish partisan spleen,
bat should never be especial objects Of sympa-
thy.n We quite agree with him in this, but
cannot see its application to the case Of Kansas.
II, however, he intends to imply that all the
people Of Kansas iwho are opposed to the Le-
compton constitution, had an opportunity and
neglected to vote for delegates to the eonvsn-
tieE, the facts will not sustain him. We have
Il on the very best authority, that of Gov.
Walker and Secretary Stanton, that the people
Of sne half the counties in Kansas were dis
franchissd, and could net By any possibility
have had voice in the convention. The act
81 tie Legislature calling the convention was
fair on its face, Bot the officers appointed by
thst very Legislature to carry cut the provis-
ions Of the law, for partisan purposes, refused
to. register the names Of voters in nineteen
esunties, and for this reason not enc Of those
eeuntfss WAS represented in the convention
According to our principles Of government, the
people, either directly or through their agents,
have the right to frame their own organic laws.
II Was not possible for largo portion Of the
people Of Kansas to have any part in framing
the Leeompton constitution, they do not ap-
prove Of it, and IL the Federal government at
tsmpts to force II upon them, they will be less
than men il they do net resist to the bitter END.
Il 10 not the case either that the people Of
Kansas hold in their own hands O remedy for
the evils Of which they complain, ss asserted by
Mr.. Dickinson. The Lseompton swindlers took
COED care, in case their bantling received the
sanction Of Congress, to perpetuats power in
the hands Of a centemptibls minority. John
Calhoun, who, % delegate to the I.eeompton
convention, violated his solemn pledge to his
constituents, IL authorized by the terms Of the
constitution to declare who is and who is not
elected to the Legislature. He is q candidate
for the U. S. Senate, and the INSCRIPTIONS
course which he has heretofore pursued renders
II morally certain that he will give certificates
of election to none but his own minions. With
q, majority Of the Legislature once in the hands
Of such unprincipled men as Calhoun and his
associates, they will take the means, by unjust
apportionments and other frauds, as they have
heretofore done, to keep themselves or their
swn partisans in power. Besides, the LeComp-
ten constitution has a provision prohibiting
any amendment until after the year 1864, and
II once fastened upon the people it cannot be
altered previous to tha time except by revolu-
zion. No principle is better established in re-
stituticn makes provision as to the manner in
which it shall be changed, that it cannot be le-
gally changed in any other manner, and the
arguments Of the Lecomptonites to the con-
trAry, are mere subterfuge.
Z The implication of Mr.. Dickinson, that the
acceptance Of the Leeompton constitution 10
opposed because it tOlsrates slavery, is not cor
rect, go far as the opposition Of Democrats is
concerned. The Republicans may oppose it for
that reason, but we are satisfied that not one
In . tho7sand Of Northern Democrats, care
particle whether Kansas is q free or slave State.
The constitution is opposed by Mr.. Douglas and
these acting with him because it il not approx
I'd by the people who are to be governed by it.
They tOek their position upon the question long
before they knew whether the slavery clause
WAS to be retained in the constitution or wheth-
sr 1t was to be stricken out. Those best &C.
quainted with matters in Kansas unite in the
opinion that it never can be made slave
State, and the slavery issue is false one
The idea advanced, that il Kansas il admit
led, the question will be localized and no lon
ger remain a disturbing element in nStienal
politics, 10 mere matter Of opinion, in which
the Lecomptonites may be right or may be
wrong. There is abundant reason to believe,
II the Territory is brought into the UniOn with
the Leeompton constitution, that the Federal
government will endeavor to enforce it at the
peint Of the bayenet, which will inevitably lead
10 resistance and civil war.
We are as anxious as any one that the Kan
sAs controversy should be speedily settled, but
desire that it should be settled fairly and justly
aRd in accordancewith the popular sovereignty
principles Of the Kansas-Nebraska act. The
is eontending for measure Of
doubtful sxpedency, while Mr.. Douglas and his
Isisnds are vindicating the foundation princi-
Pies Of republican institutions. If the latter
Are to be read out of the Democratic party,
hey will carry the principles and platform Of
he party with them.