Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1858-03-05

most perfect guarantee or security aud Union.
Redress must come from the people of the
United States. They in their strength must
remedy the existing evil, by distinct express
sion of their will The moment is fraught with
dangers, which the adoption of the LecomptOn
Constitution would only aggravate.
A departure from the principles on which
Government rests is ar evidence uf its decay.
The violation Of the principle of popular sove.
reignty wastes the ife-blood of the republic.
Again in popular Government, where the
rulers are but servants, anarchy steps in when
principle is forgotten and expediency is made
the guide.
Again The concentration of power in the
hands of q Convention like that Of Lecompton
is not an American idea. il is borrowed from
those Republics of Europe which were rot ca
pable of existing long, for the very reason that
power was SO couotntrated. 1t IS derived from
the worst examples of ths worst periods of rev.
olutionary France, when ninorities usu.ped
power ovor nation by terror and reckless da-
ring. If the rule of the minority Convention
is now formally sanctioned by Congress, it will
be most dangerous precedent--an instrument
of wrath, treasured up for day Of wrath. We
appeal against this system to the whole Democ-
racy Of the country, We appeal 10 al people who
love order, aud justice, and freedom This clty
for its numbers, is the wealthiest in the world
call on the men of wealth in this great city
TO take to heart the danger of establishing as a
principle that majority Of single body, elect
cd to Convention perhaps in times of high ex-
citement, filed, as will sometimes happeo, with
men desperately daring and corrupt, animated,
as men under such circumstances are apt TO be,
BY personal and party passions should assume
the, absolute right TO change ihe fundamental
law Of the country without reference 10 the
people. If they are nut alarmed on aecouot
Of their own fortunes, | ask them TO consider
what disposition, under such an absolute Con-
Vention, might be made of corporate property
what changes in the management of trust funds
set apart for purposes of charity, or educaiiou,
or the support of religious worship. Especial
ly,speaking sober earnestness TO rejecting men,
remind the Catholics OF what might happen,
calling to their recollection the grievance to
which they were exposed in an Eastern State,
and from which they only escaped By The refer
eace OF the Constitution 10 the people. " 9 call
on our naturalized citizens to reflect on their
danger from the principle involved IN accepting
the decision of Convention as fua, aud with
out appeal. Our country is subject 70 periodi-
cal excicments Oh the franchise of Eaturaiized
citizens and 1t may happen that { Convention
possessed Of this obsouie power MAY seek 10
perpetuate themselves and their party iu Office
BY one sweeping disfranchisement of the foreign
born. We call on the poor and on the laborirg
men to come up to the rescue for, in the di-
vision that prevails on universal suffrage, soon.
er or later, a Convention would be found ready
To limit the right to suffrage, and to maintain
the limitation by fnrce u Ne claim the aid Of
every Irishneu to man, aud every descend
ant OF Irishmen for Ireland; through three
centuries, shows the bitter fruits of a Govern.
ment imposed ~ H. -~erli.:.J lvs''evrr
shameless minority aud the Central power
We will not make an appeal TO tue South, as
such but if any part Of the Union has cause
for ALARM at tue increase Of the power Of Con
yention, suddenly called together, We should
say it is the South, and we're Jefferson alvey
should on this occasion aars protect from his
pen, The guiding principle of bis statesman
ship was 70 consult the people and TO revere the
people. But what do say 4 voice comes
10 10 from one Of JeIfeison's successors, in the
Chair of State in the Old dominion, and il
| clear aud distinct terms he rejects the Lecomp-
ton Constitution, as not the act aud deed Of
the people Of Kansas, and he rightly condemns
| tho Lecompton schedule, as not republican,
New York viii respond to Virgins, and the
great Northwest will swell the echo
The policy of enforcing the Lecompfou Con-
stitutiou on an unwilling people is neither wise,
nor ezpedieut, nor possible. Principle is the
true diviuer'B wand By which the President Of
free people sways the millions, and secures
majorities for his measures in Congress. The
neglect OF principle for temporizing expediency
always loses the respect of majorities in Con-
cress and out Of it. The ship of State is wa
| ter-logged throw the fraudulent llecouip,on
Constitution overheard let principle take the
helm, and the bark viii spring forward on its
was as in the best years OF our Republic. Ours
is the cause Of peice, of order, of true Democ-
racy, of Union, of freedom. All good onens
are with us. For our part, We are resolved to
| walk in the central path of humanity, stunning
sectionslsm and fanaticism on the one side, and
subservieney 10 dictation un the other. True
Democracy inscribes on its banner, THE RIGHTS
OF The STATES AND THE SOVEREIGNTY OF
THE PEOPLE il upholds freedom 10 the State
! in the Union, and the indeteasible right of tho
majority, whether in State or in Territory,
calmly, deliberately, and undisturbed, to form
and accept, or reject a Constitution for them
| selves,
THE pECT