Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1858-02-12

with the organic act, framed constitu-
ton and State governments have sub
mltted The all-lmportant question of sla-
very to the people, and have elected a
governor, member to represent them in
Congress, members of the State Legis-
lature, and other State officers. They
now ask admission into the Union under
this constitution which is republican in
its form. 1t is for Congress to decide
whether they will admit or reject the
State which has thus been created.
For my own part I am decidedly in
favor of its admission, and thus terminals
ing the Kansas question. This wiffcar-
ny out the great principle Of non-intcr-
vention recognized and sanctioned by the
organic act, which declares in express
language in favor of non-intervention
by Congress with slavery in the States
or Territories" leaving " the people
thereof perfectly free to form and rcgu-
late their domestic institutions in their
own way, subject only to the Constitu-
ton of the United States" In this
manner, by localizing the question of
slavery, and combining it to the people
whom it Immediately concerned. every
patriot anxiously expected that this ques=
ton would be banished from the halls of
Congress, where it has always exerted a
baleful influence throughout the whole
country.
Ii is proper that | should briefly refer
to the election held under an act of the
Territorial Legislature, on the first Mon
day of January last, on the Lecompton
constitution. This election was held af-
ter the Territory had been prepared for
admission into the Union as sovereign
State, and when no authority existed in
the Territorial Legislature which could
possibly destroy its existence or change
its character The election, which was
peaceably conducted under my instruc-
tons, involved strange inconsistency.
A large majority of the persons who
voted against the Lecompton constitution
were at the very same time and place
recognizing its valid existence in the
most solemn and authentic manner by
voting under its provisions. | have yet
received no official information Of the
result of this election.
As question of expedioncy, after the
righthas been maintained, it may be wise
to reflect upon the benefits to Kansas,
and to the whole country, which would
result from its immediate admission into
the Union, as well as the disasters which
may follow its rejection Domestic peace
will be the happy consequence of its nd :
mission, and that fine Territory, which
has hitherto been torn by dissensions,
will rapidly increase III population and
wealth, and speedily realize the blessings
and comforts which follow in the train of
agricultural and mechanical industry
The people will then be sovereign, and
can regulate their own affairs in their
own way. If a majority of them desire
to abolish domestic slavery within the
State, there is no other possible mode by
which this can be effected so speedily as
by prompt admission. The will of the
majority is supreme and irres stible when
expressed in an orderly and lawful man
ner. They can make and unmake con
stitutions at pleasure. It would be abb
surd to say that they can impose letters
upon their own power, which they can
not afterwards remove. If they could
do this they might tic their own hands
for hundred as well as for ten years. -
These are fundamental principles of
American freedom, and are recognized,
| believe, in some form or other by every
State constitution; and if Congress, in
the act of admission, should think proper
to recognize them, | can perceive no OBJ
lection to such course.
This has been done empbatically in
the constitution Of Kansas. It declares
in the bill of rights that "all political
power is inherent in the people, and all
free governments are founded on their
authority and instituted for their benefit,
and therefore they have at all times an
inalienable and indefeasiblc right to al
ter, reform, or abolish their form Of gov
ornment in such manner as they may
think proper" The great State of New
York is at this moment governed dnder
constitution framed and established in
direct opposition to the mode prescribed
by the previous constitution. If, there
fore, the provision changing the Kansas
constitution, after tho year one thousand
eight hundred and sixty-four, could by
possibility be construed into prohibition
to make such change previous to that
period, this prohibition would be wholly
unavailing. The Legislature already
elected may, at its very first session,
submit the question 10 vote of the pco-
pie whether they will or will not have a
convention to amend their constitution,
and adopt all necessary means for giving
effect to the popular will.
1t has been solcmnly adjudgcd by the
highest Judicial tribunal known to our
laws, that slavery exists in Kansas by
virtue Of the Constitution Of the Uni
ted States. Kansas is, therefore, at this
as much slave State as Gcor.
gia or South Carolina. Without this
tho equality Of the sovereign States com
posing the Union would be violated, and
the use and enjoyment Of territory ac-
quired by the common treasure Of all the
States would be closed against the people
and the property Of nearly half the mem
bers of the Confedcracy. Slavery can,
never be prohibited in Kansas
except by means Of a constitutional pro-
vision and in no other manner can this
be obtained so promptly, If a majority of
the people desire il, as by admitting it