The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1858-11-06

SASA61V - A-S ASAAAtOAAosJ
AS REVIEWED By "a CITIZEN OF KANSAS
N THE LAWRENCE REPUBLICAN," AN
swERED BY "a REPUBLICAN," .
LAWRENCE, Oct. %, 1858.
In the issue of the Lawrence RepuGli-
can of October 14th, there appeared
rather hippant rehearsal of assumptions
and sOphisms, bearing upon the tendency
and progress of the doctrine of sovereign
ty over the people Of the Territories of
the American Union, over the cognOmen
KANSAS" in which the author seems to
have become totally intoxicated with the
profundity of his own arguments. Believ-
ing that the history of our country abounds
in evidences contradictory to his assumed
facts, and that the logic adduced to de-
fend his political thesis is untenable, l
feel it my duty to briefly reply.
First, he gives the venerable Cass" the
sole credit of originating the doctrine of
"squatter sovereignty" as promulgated in
his Nicholson letter. Then Douglas, he
says, robbed him of his livery and soon
transformed the name to popular sovs-
reignty," in defense of which he had
waxed eloquent and strengthen the
events in Utah and Kansas exploded the
humbug," but not unM the people of
Kansas went to work and made gov
eminent and laws for themselves, (and
this correspondent, KANSAS" was an
agent in that rebellious work, suspect
when, 10 the army of the United States
came down upon them, horse, foot and
dragon, smashed their government and
laws to pieces, and ruthlessly subjected
the people to its authority" Then the
United States army was sent to Utah, and
the people and their institutions were
both regulated latter the way of Douglas
and the President, with sword and can
non."
Sad, the picture, in the extreme +; but
coincidence is found chiefly in the known
fact that if we take Hamlet out of the
play, there would be nothing Of interest
left-in other words, "Kansas' has pro-
duced the star characters for the occasion,
by the wonderful power known to exist
only ''in the alembic of has genius" /
purpose, therefore, for his benefit, in COM
mon with the general readers of this Ter
ritory, who are especially interested in
the proper settlement Of this question, to
revert to the period styled that of 1.-The
Confederation" that was preceded by that
Of the revolutionary national govern
msnt Then, such doctrines as now seem
to afford kansas pet theme for forsn-
SIC folly, would have been secuted as the
enemy Of Democratic rule, and akin to
despotSm. He forgets that when the
Constitution of the United States was
adopted, 1t became a substitute for the
heartless despotism of State sovereignty,
and brought back the government to the
constituent sovereignty of the people. 1t
became dsclaratory of rights, inherent and
incompatible, and to this day the self-ev-
idsat truths of the Declaration Of hide
pendence are engraved upon the deepest
'ecesses Of every true American heart
We the people of the United States, in
order to form a more perfect Union, es-
aoiish justice" &c, &c, "do Ordain and
establish this Constitution" was theil
language. Consequently. its protection
extended alike to the whole people with.
IN its jurisdiction, whether they lived in
: State or q Territory. This, like Other
governments, was made BY and for the
people, and not the people for the govern
a'e't' as would seem to be the time-fash.
'0ned idea Of Kansas" judging by hii
~oAIensy towards popular sovereignty.
Under that Constitution certain power:
arc given to Congress, and every othsl
power OF privilege not thus delegated, il
reserved with the people. It is contend.
60 therefore, that indirectly. and SEINE.
umss directly, the doctrine of popular
sovereignty has been vindicated from time
|" time by some of our ahlest statesmen
ever since the present National Congress,
vas established. In every instance, zher,
new State has been admitted into tn,
onon' the vote on the question Of I'D
mission proves that members in the Soutl
.ossd 70 admit . Northern State, with /
0'n'atoa'u prohibiting slayssy. While q