Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-01-22

Conference.-The prompt action of the Virginia
Legislature in taking the lead i'll promugating the
greut and fundamental doctrine Of popular sovereign
ty, as entertainedby the National Democracy, is
thy Of the State vhich long ago acquired the enyia
| bls reputation O. being the mother Of s.stesmen
| The application G Kansas to Congress for admission
| az confederate state OF this Union, will be the FIRST
opportunity practically tn test the doctrine which wac
fully embodied il the Nebraska.kansas act Of 1854
Virginia, which has never bsrtered away princ1pt
for policy, ID again receiving high comlnendstion from
| National Democrats everywhere, foa u bold adhe
| renee TO ber ncsnt faith and landmarks. On this
great issue. Pennsylvani and Virginia stand toge
ther. The following letter which is being rep1blished
| in all National D1mocrao papers, send You as
giving y CONDENSED, irrefragabp argument, which
phistry cannot ovrrihrow, and embndying the views
| and sentiments Of the reliable Democrats OF the Old
| Keystone. Mr. jones in this, Oh all national ques
tous is of the most cearIicaded statesmen Of the
day-ortbodOx in Democratic fah-is fit exponent
of the true principles Of tine party.
From tho h""ls, owsso ego n Y Gazette Jan. Il: i'll ~
HON J. CLANCY JoSETi TioN On THE KANSAS CUES
The doctrine OF popular sovereignty in the Terri
tores against Congressional Intervention, has
never been more compreheisvely set forth than il
the following brief letter ffou, the Hon. j CLANCY
Jones, tho able and distinguished Chsirman Of ilit
House of Representatives, III reply to an Invitation
to attend Democratic meeting in the city of Phila
deIphs:
LETTER FROM HON. J. CLANCY JONES:
| WAsHISGroS, Dec. 2G 1857.
| GENTLEMEy:-I have the honor TO acknowledge
| the receipt OF your invitation To attend meeting %
| the Democracy cf Philadelphia, TO bo held on Mon
day next, for tie purpose Of sustaining tia message
of the President. | regret that my duties here com
pei me 10 ioregO The pleasure il would efford L
accept your invitation. The message is one which
has my hearty aud cordial approval. The doctrine
of popular sovereignty ID now settled and Integral
part Of the Democratic creed; 80, also is its cOrreid
tive that OF noninterveDon by Congress in the do
mes;ic affairs OF the Territories. AS ours is gov
ernment of las and order, tho popular will of the
Territory can ony be known through its legal repro
sentatives.
The mode and manner OF conveying that will to the
Federal Government, belongs exclusively TO the pep
pie Of the Territory. II they direct that il shs!l be
made known only through the popular suffrage rati
flying the acts OF their representatives. it eau ba g.
ceived in no other form. Ii they authorize their
representatives. to speak for them without submission
or by partial Submission to the popular vote, 1t is
alike binding; for whiIe, in each and every case, we
have no right 10 dictate, suggest intervene, con
slider it the highest attribute Of popular sovereignty
20 allow the people of Territory, not only to form
and control their own domestic institutions, but to do
this in their opn r0y, and not the cay that Congress
may suggest. Kansas hns done this. The President
has no legal knowledge OF the popular will there ex
cept through is own chosen representatives. II he
were 10 reject or disregard this, It would not only
nullfy the acts OF popular sovereignty, communica
ted to him through Legitimate channels, but it would
be Intervention with high hand, and an Executive
usurpalion far more odous than Congressional. The
new doctrine that the popular will cannot be mnde
known through it's chosen agents, il II BIZ their
will go TO do. is an abridymsnt of soveregnty-a
limitation OF the power OF the people, imposed on
them by Congress which assumes, without Consttu
ional authority, to exercise il. IL Is setting up
higher law than the Constitution, nasmuch Sc il alb
rugaes the whole system OF representative govern
mrnt.
recognize in the people OF Kansas, when they are
sufficiently numerous, the absolute right, in the
else OF sovereign power to settle their domestic inst
tuons and recognize it ons o! the highest attri-
butes of that sovereignty that they msy choose their
own way, their own mode and manner. II the Exec.
utive Congress eau dictate the manner, or compel
them to se!ec; particular mode, other than that OF
farce If the agents abuse the trust, to whom are
they responsible! 70 the pe0pIe, if they are sove.
reign-to Congress- If ths people are not sovereign
IT the Constitution of Kansas acceptable TO the
people OF Kansas il is easy for them 10 change II; pop
ular sovereignty comedies them that right. But il
Congress attempts to change il, Congressional sove
reigny supercedes popular sovereignty, and the bat
tie of 1876 has been fought in vain. have no regard
for the Lscompton Convention, or its Constitution, eN
Cept tar As 1t is the manifestation Of the will OF
sovereign people, made known through their own
agents II is because am bound to regard this Con.
sttu ion as ths of The people, and Of the Con-
the people OF Kansas to abrogats alter or amend this
Constitution; deny that right TO the Executive or tG
Congress. With these views, my sympathies and
feeling. are with you. Very truly yours,
J. CLANCY JONES.
To George Pitt Esq, and others Committee