Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1858-03-11

Again; IN popular government, where
the rulers are but servants, anarchy steps
in when principle is forgotten and expedi-
ency Is made the gide.
Again the concentration of power IN the
hands OF convention like that of Lecomp-
ton is not an American idea Ii is borrow
ed from those republics of Europe which
were not capable of existing long, for the
very reason that power was so concentra-
ted. 1t is derived from the worst exam
piles the worst periods of revolutionary
France, when minorities unsurped power
over a nation by terror, and reckless dar-
ing. If the rule of the minority coaven-
lion is now formally sanctioned by Con-
gress. 1t will be a most dangerous prece-
dent; an instrument of wrath, treasured up
for day of wrath. We appeal against
his system TO The whole democracy OF the
country; we appeal to all people who love
order, and jnstice and freedom. This
city, for lis numbers, is the weaIthiest in
the world. | call on the men of wealth in
his great city to take to heart the danger
Of establishing as principle that a major
ity of single body, elected to a conyen-
sion perhaps IN times of high excitement,
filled, as will sometimes happen. with men
desperately y daring and corrupt, animated,
as men under such circumstances are apt
to be, by personal and party passions,
should assume the absout. right to
chan &c the fundamental law of the country
without a reference to the people. If 4hey
are nos alarmed on account of their own
! T Il, 4 !
position, under such an absolute conven-
ion, might be made of corporate proper
ty-what changes in the management of
trust funds set apart for purposes of chari
ty or education. or he support of religious
worship. Especially speaking in sober
earnestness to rehecting men. remind the
Catholics of what might happen, calling to
their recollection the grievance to which
they We're exposed In an eastern State, and
from which they only escaped by the ref
erence of the cons i,ulion to the people
{ We call on our naturaized citizens to re-
fleet IN their dan gel from the principle in
) volve In accepting the decision of q cen
yention as final and Without appeal. Our
country is subject to periodical excl e.
men 5 on the franchise of laturalzad citi-
zens; and Il may happen that conver-
Ion possessed of lhis absolute power may
seek TO perpeiua,e themselves and their
party in office by one sweeping disfran
chisement of the foreign born We call
on the poor and on the laboring men 10
come up TO the rescue; for, in the division
that prevails on universal suffrage, sooner
oI la,er convention would be ready TO
limit the right to suffrage, aud to maintain
The limitation by force. We claim the aid
of every Irishman to a man. and every de-
scendant of an Irshman; for Ireland through
ihree centuries. shows the bitter fruits of a
government imposed by the completely be-
tween shameless minority and the central
power.
We will not make IN appeal TO the South
as such; but If any part of the Union has
cause for alarm at an increase of the pow
er Of convention suddenly called togeth-
er, We should say it is the South; and
were Jefferson alive, we should on this oc-
casion have protest from his pen. The
guiding principle of his craftsmanship was
10 consult and revere the people. But
what do say? A voice comes to us from
one Of Jeilerson's successors in the chair
of State in the Old Dominion, and in clear
and distinct terms he rejects the Lecomp
ton constitution as not the act and deed of
the people of Kansas, and he rightly con-
demns the Lee ompton schedule as not re-
publican. New York will respond to Vir-
gina, and the great Northwest will swell
the echo.
The policy of enforcing the Lecompton
constitution on an unwilling people is nei-
lher wise nor expedient. nor poss ible.-l
Principle is the true diriner's wand by
which the president of free deople sways
the millions, aud secures majorities for his
measures in Congress. The neglect of
principle for temporizing expediency al
ways loses the respect of majorities in
Congress and out of it, The ship ofSlate
is waterodged; throw the fraudulent con-
siitulion overheard; let principle take the
helm, and the bark will spring forward on
its waya In the bes' years of our repub
lie. Ours is the cause of peace, of order, of
true democracy, of Union, of freedom.-
All good omens are with u.s. For our
part We are resolved to walk in the central
path of humanity. stunning sectionalism
and fanaticism on the one side, and sub |
seryiency to dictation on the other. True
Democracy inscribes on its banner THE
RIGHTS OF THE STATES and THE SOVEREIGN
TY OF THE PEOPLE; it upholds freedom to
The individual in the State, freedom to the
State in the Union, and the indefeasible
right of the majority, whether in a State or
Territory, calmly, deliberately. and undis-
turbed to form and accept, or reject, con-
sti!ution for themselves.
Narrow is the view that sees in the ri
derless steed, and the bloody bridle-rein,
an epitome of war; or hears no voice there