The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-03-04

TgoY. N. Y, Feb. IL, 1858.


Democracy is to be tested to the utmost.
A new State is seeking admission into
the American confederacy, under the shadow
Of q pro-slavery constitution. Shall Kansas
he received into the Union, under the Le.
compton Constitution, is the great question
now before Congress. Upon the decision Of
this momentous question, the admission OF
Minnesota likewise depends. 1t may be re-
garded as a fact, that X ansas and Minnesota
will be admitted or rejected. What course
in the premises does reason and common
sense appear TO dictate?
My own opinion, humble and isolated a.
il may be in Minnesota, is di,interested and
sincere. 1t is decidedly in favor of the i'm
mediate admission Of Kansas, even under
and Notwithstanding the Lecompton Consti-
tuition. National Democrats are agreed
upon this point. Sectional agitators and
Presidential aspirants are 10th to give up
the goose, from which they have plucked
30 many golden quilts, that scarcely leather
now remains. They desire to keep alive
this exciting strife upon an abstract ques-
ton, which never can achieve any useful
practical result. Depend upon it, selfshness
and demagogueism are at the bottom Of the
whole uproar. 1t isa great thing to be able
to keep ones temper in the midst of studied
provocation. II is noble thing to adhere
steadfastIy to principle, when passion, pre-.
judice and self.interest unite to lead our
Judgments astray.
We may talk till doomsday, in regard to
the details OF the Kansas revolution, and
disagree as widely then as now what we
want ut the present time il decision and the
triumphant maintenance Of law. The Ie-
compton Constitution comes before Congress
in legal shape. The Convention which
framed it was called by Legislature, whose
authority to do so, has been recognized by
Congress and the President. The Topeka
ties committed an error, which they have
realized too late, in not e.ecting delegates to
the legally constituted convention. They
arc responsible for the very act of which
they complain. Had they taken part in the
election, undoubtedly they would have had
power in the convention, to have made such
u constitution as they desired. There would
then have been no objection to the submis-
sion Of the whote constitution to the people,
instead Of the slavery clause alone.
The alternative of Withholding oil the
Constitution from the people except the
slavery clause, was forced upon the Conven-
ton by the revolutionary attitude Of the To
| pekaites. II was more an act of necessity
than choice the revolutionists were deter
mined to vote down the Constitution at ev-
cry hazard, and they would have done So
They refused 10 vote upon the aapery einne
alone, supposing that this course would af.
iect the legality Of the election. In this
they erred. The election was permitted by
them to 60 by default. and the odious slave
ry clause was consequently retained Who
il responsible for this p! Certainly not our
patriotic and magnanimous President
Certainly not the National Democratic
party.
Thus Kansas comes before Congress As
for myself deeply regret the pro-slavery
clause. No republican in the land can be
personally, more adverse to the principles
and policy Of slavery than myself. Bat
have no hesitation in expressing my convic-
ton that, under the circumstances, the adj
mission of Kansas is absolutely demanded,
not only TO restore tranquility within her
own borders. but TO give peace to the entire
Union, and contemporaneously ensure the
early admission of Minnesota.
There can he no sound objection TO the
admission Of X ansas, which can bear the
scrutiny of careful cross-examination. II
is admitted on all hands that the Free State
mcn ART largely in the majority, and that
Kansas cannot bc otherwise than Free
State. Mature and emigration have decl-
dcd tina, Kansas can never practically be
Slave State. Her destiny is sure Why
should we exhibit any uneasincSs in regard
to Sntrus,ing the people Of kansas with the
exclusive management OF their own affairs.
This can only he done eifectually by the
speedy admission Of the State. Then thc
people viii have sovereign power TO mould
their institutions according 20 their will
The President, in his late message, has dis
tinctly enumerated the well established doc
trinr, that the people OF Kansas. after al
mission, can proved Immediately To the
formation Of an entircly new Constitution.
utterly regardless Of any restrictions upon
their action, embodied in the present Con
! stltusinp