Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1858-03-18
Hon. John A. COrwiM ON Kansas
Affairs

Hon. JOhn A. COrwin ON Kansas
- Affairs.
The following letter by JUDGE Cor
WIN, late of the Supreme Bench of our
State, was written in reply to an invita-
ton to address an anti Buchanan meet
ing: at Mt. Vernon. 1t will be seen
that the boilers "caught a tarter."-
Read it:
GENrLEMEN Your polite note of
the 9th instant, inviting me to be pres
ent at YOUR meeting on the 9th proxi-
mo, has been received, and in reply l
am compelled to say that it will be i'm
possible for me to attend.
1 am glad that my professional and
private engagement have thus far kept
me from any participation in the excite
ment Which has been engendered IN re-
gard to the admittance of Kansas
into the Union.
The Inhabitants of the Territory of
Kansas have the conceded right to estdb-
lish their own institutions, to regulate
them in their Owl way; to alter, amend,
or abolish them at their own pleasure;
and this right being absolute, para
mount, continuing, cannot be taken
away or impaired by any rePresc ntatIve
assembly. st-.
With this view of popular sovereignty,
I am of the opinion that the Federal
Legislature, the Legislature of the sew
eral States and Territories, may with
great propriety, e~onine their political
action to the regulation of their own
domestic concerns, and so far observe
principle, policy and propriety, as to al
low the differences between the settlers
of Kansas to be adjusted among them
selves.
If the constitution they have adopted
by the representatives selected by them
selves, for that purpose, is republican
in its form, Congress has nc choice but
to admit the young States into the sis
terhood, relying upon the proposition
which is elementary in q representative
Democracy, that the evils in our legisla-
ton are to be remedied by the acts OF
future representation, selected with the
improved experience of society and with
reference to the increased and ever
changing wants which our progress pre-
sduces. - eI
There is no Limitation in a general
law which is subject to modification or
repeal, and no governmental regulation
which the sovereignty may not alter or
abolish; and if the Kansas constitution
is liable to any objection, on tie part of
the people who live under it, it is their
.unqu%estionable right at any time to cor;
rect that evil.
In any point of view in which the
subject can be considered, I think a diff
.ferent course than that pursued by the
President would have been Inconsistent
with his high character as d stateman and
iurist, and in violation of those cardinal
principles of civil liberty, the preserva-
ton of which is so essential to our indie
pendenee.
- While I am thus constrained to diff
fer with you as to the subject and pur-
poses of your meeting, 1~sympatize with
YOU fully in the 'rectitude of intention
which prompts you to watch carefully
that no inroads are made upon the great
principle of popular sovereignty, and
most deeply regret that, in your lndul-
gence of this generous sentiment, You
are Obliged to find yourselves co-work-
~ers with every element of opposition to
tLsGreat Democratic party OF the United
States.~lN -
Within the whole range ofmy acqualnt-
nee and observation, every man who
has ever opposed us, bst.fair means, or
FOUL" is now found cooperating with
You, and 1 especially tender to each Of
you my wishes that you may not here
after be compelled to exclaim, with Fal-
staff; 'Villainous company hath been the.
ruin of me- For myself, l must be ex-
cused for .d~eyoting my humble energies
to the maintenance of the integrity and
dignity of the Democratic party and of
its Observation-Disclosures as I fully
do, hat although errors may intervene,
which may be corrected in due time,
yet the happiness, welfare and honor of
our country will be best protected, pro-
NOTED and maintained by close ad-
herenee to, and preservation of, the
present organization of the Democracy
of. America.
Gentlemen, I feel it due to you per
sonally, as well as to myself, to speak
thus Misunderstanding only that res
pect for my opinion which Ireadily con
cede to you and to every other citizen,
and feeling the less reserve because
error may always be safely tolerated
while reason is left free to combat it"
I am, gentlemen, very respectfully,
Your servant,
JOHN A. CORWIN.
To Messrs. W. C. CASTOR & G. n.
SCRIBNER.