Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-02-09

The question Of slavery was submitted to an cleo
ton Of the people Of Kansas on the 2lst December
last, IN Obedience 10 the msndate Of the cCnstitu
ton. Here again. fair opportunity was presented
to the adherens Of the Topeka Constitution, if they
were the majority decide this exciting question
sin their own way, and thus restore peace TO the
distracted Territory; but thcy agsia refused to ex
ercise their right Of popular sovereignty, and again
suffered the election 40 pass by de!auH.
] heartily rejoice that wiser and better spirit
prevailed among large msjoriiy Of these people on
the first Monday OF January and that they did
on that day vote under the LeoomptOn constitution
| for Governor and other State officers a member
Of Congress, aad for members Of the Legislature.
This election was warmly contested by the parties
and larger vote was pOlled than at any previous
election in the Territory. We may nov reasonably
hope that the revolutionary Topeka organization
viii be speedily and finally abandoned, and this viii
80 far towards the final settlement Of the unhappy
differences IN Kansas. II frauds have been com
mtted at this election, either by or both parties
the Legislature and the people Of Kansas under
their constitution, viii know how to redress them
selves aud punish these detestsble but too common
crimes without any outside interference.
The people Of Kansas nave, then, in their own
way, and IN strict accordance with theorganic act
rimed a constitution and State government; have
submitted the all-important question Of slavery to
the people and have elected a governor, a member
70 represent them in Congress- members Of the State
admission iato the Union uuder this constitution,
which is republican in form. It is for Congress
to decide whether they will admit reject the State
which has thus been created. For my own part, l
am decidedly in favor Of its admission and the ter
mInating the Kansas question. This will carry out
the great principle Of nou-lnierventiOn recognized
and sanctioned by the organic act which declares
in express language in alor Of non-interyeniou bS
Congress with slavery in the States Territories,
leaving the people thereof perfectly free and
regulate their domestic institutions their own way
su1jectonly to the constitution Of the United States
In this manner By lOcalizng the question Of slavery
and conhning 1t to the people whom 1t Immediately
concerned, every patriot anxiousy expected that
this question would be banishei from the halls of
Congress, where it has always exerted baleful in
huence throughout the whole country.
IL is proper that should briefly refer to the cleo
ton held under act Of the territorial legislature
on the first Monday Of January last, on the Lecomp-
ton constitution. This election was held after the
Territory had been prepared for admission into the
Union as a sovereign State, and when no authority
existed in the territorial legislature which could
possibly destroy its existence or change its character
The election, which peaceaby conducted under
my Instructions, involved strange inconsistency.
A large majority Of the persons who voted against
the LecomptOn constitution we're at the very same
time and place gnising its valid existence in the
most solemn and authentic manner, by voting under
its provisions. have yet received no official ins
formation Of the result of this election.
AS question Of expediency, after the right has
been maintained, it may be to reflect upon the
benefits 10 Kansas and TO the whole country which
would result from its immediate admission into the
Union as well as the disasters which may follow its
rejection. Domestic peace will be the happy conse
quence Of its admission, and that fine Territory,
which has hitherto been torn by discussions, will
rapidly increase in population and wealth, and speed
y realize the blessings and the comforts which fol-
low in the train of agricultural and mechanical in
iUstry. The people will then be sovereign, and can
regulate their own affairs in their own way If a
majority Of them desire to abolish domestic slavery
within the State, there is other possible mode by
which this can be effected 50 speedily as by prompt
admission. The will of the majority is supreme
md irresistible when expressed in an orderly and
awful manner. They can make and unmake con-
ititUti0ns st pleasure Il would be absurd to say
hat they can impose letters upon their own power
which they cannot afterwards remove. If they
Gould do this they might tie their own hands for
hundred well as for ten years. These funda-
mental principles of American freedom, and are
OgnisCd, believe, In form other, By every
state constitution; aud if Congress- in the act Of |
should think proper recognize them /
an perceive objection TO such course. This has /
Deen done emphatiealiy ia the constitution Of Kan
as. Il declares IN the bill Of rights that all poll
ieal power is inherent in the peope-snd - all free
governments are founded on their authority and in
tituted for their benefit and therefore they have at
Il times iRalienRble and ndefeasible right to al
er reform, or abolish their form Of government in
UGH manner as they may think proper. The great
tate Of New York Is at this moment governed under
constitution framed and established in direct OppO
ltlon to the mode prescribed by the previous Const
lton. II therefore, the provision changing the Kan
ss constitution, after the year one thousand eight
undred and siIty-four could by possibility be con-
rued into prohibition to make such schange previ-
n that narOI This nrohfhirion would he rbnlv
nayailing The Legislature already eectedmsy, atits
cry first session, submit the question to a vote Of
he people whether they will or will not have
BntiOn TO amend their constitution, and adopt all
ecessary means for giving effect to the popular
ill
Il has been solemly sdjudged by the highest judi
al tribunal known to our laws, that slavery exists
Kansas by virtue of the constitution of the United
stes. Kansas is, therefore, at this moment as
UGH slave State as Georgia or South Carolina.
ithOut this, equality of the sovereign States COM
,sing the Union would be violated, and the use and
JOyment of a territory acquired by the common
essure Of all the States, would be closed against
e people and the property Of nearly half the mem
rs OF the contederacy. Slavery can therefore
'ver be prohibited in Kansas except by means Of
constitutional provision, and in no other manner
n this be obtained promptly if majority Of the
ople desire it. as by admitting it into the Union !
lder its present constitution.
On the other hand, should Congress reject the
c constitution, under the idea Of afFording the
safected in Kansas a third opportunity of prohib-
ng slavery in the State, which they might have
ne twice before if in the majority, no mar can
-etcll the consequences
If Congress, for the sake of those men who re-
sed to vote for delegates to the convention when
ey might have excluded slavery from the coustitu-
n, and who afterwards refused to vote on the Dist
cember last when they might, as they claim, have
icken slavery from the constitution, should now /,
ect the State because slavery remains in the con-
tuition, it Is manifest that the agitation upon this
ngerous subject will be renewed in a more alarm :
! form than it has ever yet assumed.
Every patriot in the country had INDUCED the il
pc that the Kansas Nebraska act would put final D
I to slavery sgitatiOn-at least in Congress il
ich had convulsed the country and endangered b
Union. This act involved great and fuudamen- o
principles, and if fairly carried into effect will If
tie thequestion Should the agitation be again re-
we'd; should the people of sister States be again Il
ranged from each other with more than their n
mer bitterness, this will arise from a cause 50 OF
as the interests Of Kansas are concerned, more m
ling and Insignificant than has stirred the tc
ments of great people into commotion. To the
pile of Kansas, the only practical difference be- CT
zen admission or rejection depends solely v
N the fact, whether they can themselves more "
eddy change their present constitution, if it ey
IS not accord with the will Of the majority, or in
me a second constitution, to be submitted to Al
lgress hereafter. Even if this were a question al
mere eIpediency, and not of right the small b,
erence of time, one way the other, is not of bf
least importance when cOntTasted with the evils OF
ich must necessarily result to the whole country We
N the revival Of slavery agitation. In consider m
this question, it shOIld never be forgotten that
proportion to its IasIguihcance, let the decision
what 1t may, so far as ii may affect few thou II,
d inhabitants Of Kansas, who have from the be- H.
ming resisted the constitution and Ia for this ~
reason the rejection Of the constitution will u
20 much the more keenly felt by the people Of a.
rteen States Of this Union, where slavery is re- An
nzed under the constitution of the United States IN
lin, the speedy admission Of Kansas into the -
on, would restore peace and quiet TO the whole =,
ltry. Already the affairs Of the territory have r;
rossed undue proportion Of the public stteu- st
j, and have sadly affected the friendly relations -
he people Of the States with one another, and "
med the fears Of patriots for the safety of the T.
on. Kansas once admitted, the excitement be- II
ss localized, and will soon die away for want Of -
ide aliment. Then every difficulty can be set %,
at the ballot-bCx. -
ssides and this is trihing consideration the TO
eminent will be enabled withdraw the troops tn,
Kansas and to employ them IN service much be
led. They have been kept in Kansas at the ear co..
importantly of Gov. Walker, to maintain the de,
tence Of the Territorial Government and secure tai
execution of the laws he considered that at least
0 troops acting under the command Of Harvey tbq