The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1858-02-03
The LecOmptOn Constitution Ratified.

ment" of Kansas-created, as we are told,
by "gigantic election irauds'i-is endorsed
by a clear majority of the people of the
Territory in organizing under it and electng
by an unequyocal vote, a complete State
ticket.
1t is said the Free Soil men have triumph.
ed upon the Governor and both branches of
the Legislature. This may be so or not
The psHaber of votes polled is quite large
enough 10 establish the fact that the people
of Kansas, like sensible men, have conclu-
ded 10 accept The Constitution just framed,
and to consult the future upon the subject
of its modification. We would like in the
principles, doctrines and men of our party,
and feel an abiding faith that Federal and
State affairs are best conducted while in
their hands. But if we are defeated in
party sense, we succeed at least in estab-
fishing the fact that the people in Kansas
are not half as silly and impracticable as
many people out of Kansas.
We have heard it repeated often--so often
that we shall not attempt 10 defend ourselves
for any mis- statemcntin this particular-that
the Lecompton Constitution is a great fraud, !
and that those who sustain it become actual
parties thereto, and are morally responsible
with the original perpetrators thereof. We
submit that there are two or three ways at
least by which individuals have maintained
the legality and binding force of the Con.
stituton in question: first it is politically
sustained by the Administration in Con-
gress and throughout the States SECONDLY
it is sustained, it seems, by majority of the
people of Kansas. We are willing to ad-
NIT, for the sake of the argument that that
majority was Opposed TO the Constitution
" concede in this way that the people all
voted at the election of delegates in June
last, as they certainly did not, they would
have chosen men, perhaps, of ultra free
State tendencies. But they had a iine-spun
theory that refusing 10 vote invalidated
elections; that the majority was a kind of
pack-mule, which could be loaded with all
the powers of government and again un-
loaded at pleasure. They could not be
made 10 see that one ballot under our sys-
tenn is weFi<ten protests outside the box.
They simply made mistake. By refusing
10 vote, consented that they should have no
voice in the government. They were sim
ply political nonentitics. Thus the Kansas
Constitution was framed. The Convention
had power 10 frame it. That power was
plenary, absolute. The people reserved
nothing 10 themselves. That was their
omission on the one hand, and their implied
assent 10 results on the other. If they des-
ired control, and that the Constitution should
be submitted to them for ratification or re-
jcclion, they could have said so, but they
| did not, At lasL it appears they have walked
up TO the realization that the very best way
in the world 10 conrlol elections is 10 secure
a majority of the voters that the surest way
to get government TO suit themselves is 10
help 10 make it. They have thus decided
TO go into the elections and exercise legal
control, as5<sesr rh=~s done go. TREY sus:
tain the i1oxfpton Constitution That is
the tight pls Fhey are then, parties 10
the "origffo79l5dt.' No question of NOR
ais is better settled than that you cannot
cure an error; you may repent and avoid
its repetition, and thus effect the substantial
ends of reform. In our judgment, the peo-
pie of Kansas have adopted this theory of
moral responsibility and duty, and have de-
termined at last that the liberties of the
people arc not altogether locked up in an
instrument Of their own making called
Constitution. They have chosen TO be sen.
sible-to elect Representalives-to elect
Governor OF their own-to confer officers of
trust and honor conducted with the discharge
of duties imposed upon their agents for
I their own benefit.
We have word of coincidence, then to
| offer 10 our republican friends. They des-
ired an opportunity to get up revolution
in Kansas With all their love of organic
laws and their devotion to the constitutional
forms, they still would not lose an occasion
10 revolutionize that government But it is
now in their own hands-elected by their
votes under regulations prescribed by their
own constitution. They cannot certainly
think of pitching out their friends in order
TO install again the border ruffians. That
will never do. The game is blocked-it is
salemate, failure. They have not only
endorsed the constitution, but they have as.
sumed the office of government under it.
They should be denounced by the republi-
cans at once, or we shall be without re-
publican party.-Wash. Union.