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

sas third opportunity of prohibiting
slavery in the State, which they mighs
have done twice before if in the majority,
no man can forctcll the consequences.
If Congress, for the sake of those men
who refused to vote for delegates to the
Convention, when they might have cx-
cluded slavery from the constitution, and
who afterwards refused to vote on the
2lst December last, when they might.
as they claim, have stricken slavery FROM
the constitution, should now reject tho
State because slavery remains in the con-
stitution, it is manifest that the agitation
upon this dangerous subject will be re-
newed in more alarming form than it
has ever yet assumed.
Every patriot in the country had in
dulgeG the hope that the Kansas and
Nebraska act would put final end to tho
slavery agitation, at least in Congress.
which had for more than twenty years
conyulsed the country and endangered
the Union. This act involved great and
fundamental principles. and if fairly car
ried into effect will settle the question.
Should the agitation be again revived;
should the people of the sister States be
again estranged from each other with
more than their former bitterness, this
will arise from cause, so far as the in
terests of Kansas are concerned, more
trifling and insignificant than has ever
stirred the elements of great people
into commotion. To the people of Kan
sas, the only practical difference between
admission or rejection depends simply
upon the fact whether they can them
selves more speedily change the present
constitution if it does not accord with
the will of the majority, or frame Sc
cond constitution to be submitted to Con-
gross hereafter. Even if this were a
question of mere expcdiency, and not of
right, the small difference of time ono
way or the other, is of no. the least i'm
portance, when contrasted with the evils
which must necessarily result to tho
whole country from revival Of the sla-
very agitation.
In considering this question it should
never be forgotten that in proportion TO
its insignifcancc, let the decision be what
it may, so far as it may affect the few
thousand inhabitants of Kansas who have
from the beginning resisted the constitu-
ton and laws, for this very reason the
rejection of the constitution will DO 80
much the more keeply felt by the people
of fourteen Of the States of this Union,
where slavery is recognized under tho
Constitution Of the United States
Again: the speedy admission of Kan
sas into the Union would restore peace
and quiet to the whole country. Already
the affairs of this Territory have cngross-
ed an undue proportion of public atten-
ton. They have sadly affected tho
friendly relations of the people of the
States with each other, and alarmed the
fears of patriots for the safety of tho
Union. Kansas once admitted into the
Union, the excitement becomes localized,
and will soon die away for want of out
side aliment. Then every difficulty will
be settled at the ballot-box.
Besides, and this is no trining consid-
Grafton, | shall then be enabled to with
draw the troops Of the United States
from Kansas, and employ them on branch
es of service where they are much
needed. They have been kept there, on
the earnest importantly of Gov. Walker,
to maintain the existence Of the Terrific
rial government and secure the execution
Of the laws. He considered, that at
least two thousand regular troops under
the command Of Gen. Harvey, were ne
cessary for this purpose. Acting upon
his reliable information, / have been
obliged, in some degree, to interfere with
the expedition to Utah in order, to keep
down rebellion in Kansas. This has in
volved very heavy expense to the Gov
eminent. Kansas once admitted, it is
believed there will no longer be any oc-
casion there for troops of the United
States.
] have thus performed my duty on this
important question, under deep ser
of responsibility to God and my count !,
My public life will terminate within q
brief period; and have no other object
of earthly ambition than to leave my
country in peaceful and prosperous con-
dition, and TO live in the affections and
respect Of my countrymen. The dark
and ominous clouds which now appear to
be impending over the Union conscien-
tiously believe may be dissipated, with
honor to every portion of it, by the ad-
mission of Kansas during the present
session Of Congress; whereas, if sho
should be rejected, ] greatly fear these
clouds will become darker and moro omi-
nous than any which have ever yet
threatened the Constitution and tho
Union. JAMES BUCHANAN.
Washington, Feb. 2, 1858.