Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-01-01
PRESIDENT BUCHANAN'S KANSAS POLICY
ENDORSED BY THE DEMOCRACY OF PHIL
AnEI puIA

PRESIDENT BUCuANAN'S KANSAS POLICY
ENDORSED BY THE DEMOCRACY OF PHIL
ADELPHIA.
On Monday night there was an immense Demo
cratic meeting 10 Philadelphia. Ex.Chief Justice
Ellis Lewis acting as President.
Mr.. w. Fl. Willie of Pennsylvania said that the
object Of the Administration was to let the people Of
Kansas settle their affairs. There was no charge
of illegality brought forward when the Convention
wos elected, but many refused to vote. 1t was their
own fault. II the President marked out any other
course in his message than true Democracy, then
charge him With either neglecting his duty or over
stepping his authority. The people of Kansas were
allowed to manage their own affairs in their own way
In being invited to elect delegates to the Lecompon
Convention.
Senator Bright of Indiana, was the next speaker.
He said he had not had time to prepare himself to
speak on the subject Of the Presidents policy as fully
as he desired. Every word he might say here would
70 before another tribunsl-the people OF Indiana
If he neglected Indiana or forgot her interest," might
Heaven forget him. Territorial acquisition and gov.
ernment was most intricate question, and had caused
much trouble. He referred to the Democratic policy
In reference to the admission of new States since the
establishment of the Confederation, sayng it bad al
ways been favorable. In order not to be misunder
stood he would place himself right before the people
by explaining the position he intended to take in the
Senate. He had prepared written statement from
which he read the doctrine of non-intervention as
laid down.
The Nicholson letter always met with cordial ap'
provsl. "Mind your own business" was applicable
TO public as we'll az private affairs He argued that
the Lecompton Convention was constitutional, and
when Kansas was brought before the Senate for ad'
mission under that Constitution, he should vote in
favor thereof without stopping to inquire whether it
wss with or without slavery. He believed with the
Administration that it would have been the most wise
policy to have submitted the whole Constitution
But this action of the representatives OF the people
themselves We must not question. Why should
new test be applied to Kansas when only one test 10
reourea for the Constitution Of the United States sit
ab.ll bs republican in form" deny the right to
trsyel outside of the requirements Of the Constitu
tion. I will not state what are my private wishes
and feelings am no apologist and never have been
an sdvocste of slavery, hut never let my private
feelings interfere with my public duties. when
consider the slight difference between the topeka
aud Lecompton Constitutions, when ihe slavery
question ia omittad mast conclude that there Is not
a great differences of opinion relative to other sub
iects prefer the latter to the former, because it
comes in an authentic form from the people them.
selves through their chosen representatives But
ia argued that the Convention was elected oy mi
nority, and its actions do not reflect the will OF the
nsople Then it s their own fault All had an op
por,unty Of voting But for them TO urge their own
misconduct as reason for rejecting the admission 1t
ridiculous. Ny course of duty is plain. shall sua
tain the President whenever he obsys the political
creed, and .hsll abandon him only when he forsakes
the platform, and that is the Constitution.