Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1858-06-10


lish-Kansas bill, are almost rs numerous
as the interpreters. 1t is singularfact, and
nevertheless prominent one, that two or
more men, of equal powers Of mind, and
with an equal desire for right under
standing, that justice may be done to all, can
not read an enactment or statement of prin
ciples, and arrive at the same conclusions,
at least in the MAN. We have had numer-
Gus instances of misinterpretation; some,
from an erroneous understanding Of the
subject, and others from motives of person
al or party interest: not only in regard to
political matters, but even the enactments
of our Legislative bodies have been SUBJ
jected to this species Of arrogance on the
part of these self-constiiuted judges. If
a law does not fully coincide with their ideas
of right and propriety, its supporters are
at once denounced as traitors, and worthy
only felon's punishment.
In regard to the English bill. the oppo-
sition. in all parts of the country, have ex
ercised their powers of abuse and defama-
ton against its supporters; and its author.
Mr.. English, has been the recipient of all
the low, groveling epithets in the Repnb-
lican vocabulary. Such epithets as ''trait-
or" spaniel" and host CT others of
like import, prove nothing against those
to whom. they are applied; but only exhib-
it "a low. depraved mind, whose silly work
ings are almost beneath contempt.
A portion Of the Republican press de-
nounce this bill because they conceive it to
be a triumph of the slave power; another
portion considers it great victory for free
dom. from the fact that it compels the sub
mission of the Lecompton constitution,
which they consider a death-stroke to the
said Lecomption, there being an overwhel-
ming majority against it, The New York
Tribune condemns the bill On account OF
the quantities Of land which it donates to
Kansas, if the Lecompton constitution is
accepted; which, it believes, was only To-
tended as bride to the sovereigns of that
territory,t TO induce them TO lend their aid in
tie establishment of slavery in Kansas -
Many of the southern papers oppose the
bill, basing their opposition on the ground
that the lard grants are insufficient to sup
ply the necessities of The people in the or
ganization Of their State government; and
think. that If the people of Kansas will re-
Ject this proposition of Congress, another
one will be submitted which will award them
grants of land sufficient to relieve them
Of oyer-taxation, and exhibit more gen.
erous spirit on the part Of the general
government, than is contained in the prop.
osition now submitted to them. Out oi
these, and many more constructions, il
would be difficult for a person unacquaint-
ed with the bill, to arrive at any just con-
fusion in regard to what its real provis-
ions are.
The shape that the question had assumed
in Congress, made it necessary to pass a
compromise bill, in order that peace and
quiet might be restored to the country to
which it had so long been a stranger. AS
all know, compromise measures do not, as
a general rule, give entire satisfaction to all
the parties interested. It is understood by
those supporting such measures, that they
may be compelled 10 sacrifice smaller diff
ferences for the sake Of doing great good
in the end. This spirit of Cancellation, fol
the general good, was manifest in the pass
age of the English bill; for none will sup
pose that all who voted for it endorse i
wholly and entire. but will readily conced'
that they were willing to lay miner differ
ences aside, and work together for the set
Element Of this "vexed question"
This measure has exhibited rare virtu'
already, End that is, it has taken the ques
ton out of Congress. where it has receive'
more attention, for the last four years. thai
all other questions, many of which are o
equal Importance and left that body NJ
excuse for its further agitation. Simulta
nsous with its peaceful settlement in tn
halls of Congress, the country exhibited
calmness, on this question. it had not ex
perienced for many months. This consid
GRAFTON alone. should entitle it to "decen
respect" and fair AID honest interpreta
ton. from It's oppoients.
BY the passage OF the English bill, tn
people of Kansas had 6 sacred right guar
anteed, which the Lecompton constitution
attempted to wrest from them, namely
the right of voting on all important ques
tons, in the final and equitable adjustmen
Of which they alone are Interested. Thi