Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-02-17
Anti-Lecompton Meetins-..Goy. WISE IN
the Field Again.

A large meeting of Democrats was held at
Philadelphia on Monday evening, the 9th ins''
to give expression to their sentiments Oh Tue
subject of the Lecompton Constitution 1ohp
W. Forney presided, and Mr.. Stanton, late DEC
rotary and acting Governor OF Kansas, was 'he
principal speaker Letters were read from MeSsfS.
Douolas. Walker. Wise and other distinguished
Democrats From Governor Walkers letter we
make the following extract:
the real question is this: Is the Lecomp-
ron constitution founded on the consent Vi 'iie
naonle of Kansas You know IT Is not, ana
therefore any act of Congress adopting TINS con-
st;tntion il not admitting State, on the request
of ber neonle. into the Union, III accordance
,v;tb the language of the Federal compact, but
tor.ino State into the Union against her Will.
ySrch an act would be clear violation OF the
CONSTITUTION of the United States, of State and
nopnlar sovereignty, of the Kansas-Nebraska bill,
and of the fundamental principles OF tree gov
eminent"
The letter of Governor Wise fills four columns
of the newspapers; but we have summary OF
its leading arguments, as prepared oy the le'e
grapb reporters, which we place before our
readers, 1t will be seen that the Governor
bravelv stands his ground aud combats the
position of the President:
Governor Wise says that careful reVie"
of the Presidents Message constralnS nun u
differ with the President OF his cholce. he P'o'
tests against the mode in which tue Lecoihp.on
Constitution was pretended to be submitted as
snti-republican and oppressive, and as offensive
TO the self-respect and moral sense OF Tree
people. roolo;tos
ale admits that the conduct OF the lopeKaites
was violent and unlawful, and that their OPP
ponents acted under unlawful authority up ~
the submission of the Constitution to the peoPie'
But that has nothing to do with the issue: 10
tile Constitution the act and deed OF tne people,
and IS the schedule republican, Inc wrong
of the Topekaites will not justify the wrone VI
the Lecompton Convention, nor cure the ueieo'
of the Lecompton Schedule, which though pro
vidiug for its ratification or rejection, was suo-
United for approval alone, without a Vo'e upon
its rejection.
"Be contends that there was obviously SIN
lister and anti-republcan purpose IN thus giving
an unfair election as to part OF the Oohs'i'u'oi'
with no election as to the whole
He denies the assertion OF the tresiueh' 'iia'
no people could have proceeded WIN n'ore Ies
nlsritv in the formation of q Constitution imam
the people OF Kansas have done Inc peoPie
were NOT allowed tair election at all. IAN
election could not be held under the scheo"'e
as appears from its face.
NJ cnntradicts the Presidents idea that the
admission of Kansas would speedily end the ag
tation in Congress, and locallze " III h"'isas'
He declares that il never can be local again
II tla
ri,bt and eoual, and, if not SO it is sure to be
miscellaneous to that party sustaining power
without right, and doing wrong that good may
come.
wThe Interior effect of adopting the Lec"mP
TON Constitution will be worse than referring
hack the question for Territorial decision. II
will arragn the Democracy aud the South for
demanding more than is right; 1t will return
the chalice to our own lips. When the Kansas
ouestion again arises in our boundless domain
of unsettled territories, it will drive away thon-
sands If honest Democrats To raise the black
Repnblican flag over the capitol in the next
strncgle fur mower: and then raise the lastdr
issue of disunion.
"He concludes by addressing the COMMITTEE
as the friends of Mr.. Buchanan and the ADMINS
tration who have his best wishes aud warlnes'
friendship, and whom he would save ooth RON
dancer and defeat. He trusts in their pure ana
patriotic motives, but he regards mucn more
the, Democracy of the South and the Union, ana
professes anxiety for their fate. For himself
he fears nothing, firmly starding on the right
in spite of friends and foes"
The meeting adopted long series OF resoiu-
tions, expressing devotion to the rights OF the
States, including those of the South, but endor-
sing the sentiments of WISE Douglas and Walk
or, and declaring the Lecompton constitution an
unparalleled fraud"