The daily Butte record., 1858-02-15

and information. studiously sought, during |
recent trip through the eastern section of
this county, I am enabled to say that your
early, spontaneous and decided advocacy Of
the position assumed BY Senator Douglas,
regarding the Lecompton Constitution, meets
with the almost universal concurrence and
high appreciation Of the people. BY Demo-
Gratis 1t is regarded as proof of your sincere
attachment TO the principles Of the Demo-
cratic party. BY oil men, from Mooreville
to Orovills. the detection Of the President,
sustained BY the numerous recipients and
expectants Of his favors, is viewed as por-
tsntous Of serious consequences. Their an
ticipations, therefrom, point to the disrupt.
ion Of the Democratic party, to the destruct.
ion Of confidence in the sincerity or the
pledges Of our most favorite statesmen and
tho removal Of the slavery agitation, thereby
threatening dissolution to our proud politi-
col organization. 1t was gratifying to find
the people so thoroughly informed and in.
tsrested on this subject. Popular sover-
ignty"-its origin and progress. its aims
and effects are matters of daily discussion
among them. 1t is regarded as the pana-
cea for all sectional strife. With knowl.
edge of the unanimity with which it was es.
poused by the Democratic party-of the her.
culean task by which the people were taught
to understand and appreciate it, and the
benign influences TO proceed from its appli.
cation, 1t is impossible for them conceive
why. or for what reason, fhe present at
tempt is made to repudiate it, That those
who are stultifying themselves. by abusing
Douglas, Walker and other for opposing the
Lecompton Constition, are utterly devoid of
honest sincerity, and Of even decent re-
gard for consistency, is the prevailing ex-
preston. Below, will attempt to condense
their general views and understanding Of
the whole subject. as cleaned from the nu-
merous rambling discussions to which l was
o witness.
Whether regarded as mere party meas
ure, or as an emanation Of the purest patri.
otism, the establishment of the doctrine of
popular sovereignty, as n part Of the settled
system and policy of our government. forms
one Of the greatest political achievements
Of the age. Up to the date of its enuncia-
ton. as applicable to territorial govern
ments, the agitation of the slavery question
had been assuming form and character
that seemed to defy all attempts at pacific
adjustment For more than thirty years.
1t had bafied the wisdom of our most saga
cious statesmen, while, in each succeeding
year, the contentious in the national councils
were assuming a more threatening aspect.
From time to time acts had been passed,
based upon unconstitutional compromises
and temporsing expedients. that sutiiced.
to allay the storm. All such
legislation, concurred in at u sacrifice Of
principle, and in violation Of the Constitu-
ton, was. Of course insufficient to secure
permanent tranquility. Its very elements
afforded sound and unanswerable reason
for disrsgarding it, whenever. for any cause,
its repeal was demanded. Eventually, with
o firm reliance upon the efficacy and justice
Of tho unalterable tenets of our political
system, the prominent statesmen, of the
Democratic party, directed their attention,
in search Of remedy, to the elemental
principles Of Democratic governments and
the terms Of our union. Those researches
resulted in the PRONUNCIATION of the doc
trincs Of popular sovereignty, as applicable
to territorial governments. The application
and rigid adherence to those doctrines, in
the formation Of every new community. ter
ritory or state. presented to their minds.
snre mode Of tranqulizing the bitter con-
tentions that prevailed, and also of erecting
q safeguard. against future strife. which
might arise upon other subjects of domestic
policy. Great Obstacles, however, appeared
In the way Of their successful PRONUNCIATION.
1t was q proposition in advance of public
sentiment, and involved legislation for which
the public mind was unprepared. The "Mis-
souri, Compromise" was measure which had
received the sanction of nearly all of our
vsnerated statesmen. and that 1t was ''can-
onised in the hearts of the people, was
known and acknowledged by the intrepid
Douglas, notwithstanding his conviction Of
its upconstitutionality. But he was aware,
that, TO mako tho Inauguration of popular
sovereignty effective Of the desired ends, it
must be relieved from the influence and
doctrines implied from that act He. there.
fore. boldly proclaimed its nullity. and ad-
vocated Its repeal. To that end. and to the
creation Of new public sentiment, the
statesmen of tho Democratic party bent
their energies. Grave appeals and constitu.
tional arguments went forth from the halls
VI nd u Al ~