Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1858-03-11
Anti !. Lecompton Letter From
Hon. w. .. GrOesback =. A
Good Democrat.
WAsHINGToN, Feb. q, 1858,

Good Democrat.
WASHINGTON, Feb. %, 1858.
GENrLExEs--I have just received your
note inviting me TO be present, on the I'd
Of March, "at meeting of the Democrats
OF Hamilton County, who voted for Mr..
Buchanan, and who are committed to the
doctrine Of Popular Sovereignty in its in
tegrity, opposed to forcing upon any peo-
Constitution against their sknown and
expressed will and, therefore, opposed to
the Lecompton Constitution -
NV duties here will not allow mo % ha
with you, but / take this occasion to saw
am in sympathy with your meeting.
In the language of your note, I am
committed to the doctrine of Popular Sow
ereignty, and it is with me something more
than motto for transparency in polit-
ical procession, or at an evening nesting.
1: is a sacred doctrine, not to be cheated
or outwitted, or overcome by alleged legal
forms and technicalities, but always to be
guarded and preserved in its integrity.
With you ! am opposed TO forcing upon
any people Constitution against their
known and expressed will. Ihave before
me the known and expressed will of the
people Of Kansas against the Lecompton
Constitution. 1t is the last expression of
their will, made, not rebelliously, nor irreg
ularly, nor illegally, but under the sanction
and in pursuance of a law of the Territorial
Legislature not only so, but made fairly
and peaceably, and on the day when those
who favored the Constitution were out in
all their strength, and, if able, would have
voted down the opposition.
cannot understand why this is a nulity.
We are urged to accept this Constitution,
as a measure of expediency, on the ground
that the majority of the people can imme-
diately set it aside, without any regard to
the time and mode of amendment prescrib-
ed in it. If this be so, ifin opposition TO
the Constitution itself, they can do this,
how is it they have no power over it before
it is adopted! If the majority can over
turn living binding Constitution. regard
less of its provisions, it would seem that
the same majority have some control over
Constitution not yet vital:zsd, and which,
as yet, is but inchoate, and vests no rights.
In the case of Florida, her proposition
to come into the Union as State, was
pending in Congress, I think, seven years.
VIII it be pretended, if her Territorial Leg
islature has passed a law to take the sense
of the people on the Constitution, at any
time during that period, and a large ma
jority had in pursuance of the law, directed
that the Constitution be recalled with
view to change it, that Congress would
treat such action as nullity? A Consti-
tuition for New Mexico has been before
Congress about five years. Cannot the
people reconsider it, at any time before it
is acted on by Congresss The application
Of foreign States or Territory to be ad-
mitted into the Union, may be regarded
as proposition TO enter into compact,
which, like any other proposition, may be
recalled at any time before it is accepted.
In the case of Kansas, however, the
large majority voted down this Constitu
ton, before it was brought to Congress.
But will not go into an argument now.
1 may present my views upon this ques-
tion hereafter.
There have been great irregularities,
heretofore, in the proceedings under which
Territories have prepared to become States.
and in the absence of an Enabling Act,
there is no fixed rule to pursue. But this
may be said of all the previous cases.
There was satisfactory evidence of the &C.
quiescence ofthe people. Having this, ir-
regularities could be overlooked. Now,
for the first time in our history, it is sought
to compel people to accept a Constitution,
which they baye, not impliedly but ex-
pressly and propmtly, rejected. This is
not Democracy. l rejoice to say it has no
precedence in the past, and let us hope,
for our country's sake, it may not become
a precedent for the future. Very respect
fully, W. S. GROESBECK.
Judge Caldwell,
Jos. A. Heman, O.
w. C. Mcdowell, Esq. M