Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1858-03-13


ratification, and That either mode of giving
existence to State institutions is consistent
with the doctrine of popular sovereignty and
the established practice OF The States OF this
Union
Resolved. That the Kansas Nebraska bill
having asserted and recognized the right OF
the people or the territories TO form Their
own institutions in their own way and the
duly organized Government in Kansas hav ng
the regular process provided Tor Convention
OF the delegates of the people, with nstruc.
tions and power TO form Constitution and
such delegates having assembled in Conven-
tion aud enacted Constitution under such
instruction and power; such Constitution
being republican, in favor Of the territory
having the numher OF inhabitants to justify
it, Kansas should be promptly admitted TO
the Union.
Res0ived, That the people Of Kansas, under
the Constitution enacted by their Convention,
may, "at all times, alter, reform or abolish
their government in such munner as they
may think proper" :" that the provision con-
tained therein ms 10 a particular mode of
alteration after the year 1864, does not forbid
any other mode the people, by regular pro-
cess, may choose to adopt, either before or
after that time aud this construction is
warranted by the practice Of Pennsylvania
and other States aud may be regarded rs
based upon settled principle Of constitu-
tional law
Resolres. That it is the opinion Of this
Convention that the time has come when the
difficulties aud troubles in Kansas should
cease, and to determine whether the schemes
OF bad men are still to agitate that territory
that the question should be local.. not national;
and that dangers are to be- apprehended TO
the Union and the cause of free government,
by the further del'y of her admission as
State.
Resolred, That if the Constitution of Kan.
sas is not acceptable in some or its provisions
to the majority OF the free State men Of that
territory, their own obstinate conduct has
produced the result they have no cause to
| complain, and their mouths should be forever
closed.
| Resolved, That we have evident reason
to believe that the Aboitionsts in Kansas
and out Of it have much greater desire to
overthrow the Democratic party of the ma
ton, than TO ameliorate the condition of the
| slave and while they are bold in their pro-
testa,ions against what they call tho slave
| power, they conceal thirst aud desire for
political place, which they would grasp, at
the cost Of the broken and shattered bonds of
| the Union.
| ReSolved, Therefore, that we unhestatngly
do approve Of the measures OF Mr. Buchanan
in his Kansas policy and are ready and
willing to sustain him in all other measures
Of his administration thus far disclosed. We
entertain the belief that lie will not abandon
an article in the Democratic creed.
| ReS0ired, That the Democracy OF Pennsyl.
vaDia acknowledge with pride and commen.
datioB the able and timely support which the
| i-ia hos f-ix.a in ho g
Senate TO the policy O; the National Admin
istration. His wisdom in couLcil, his logical
skill and talent in debate, his industry and
integrity, constitute him q representative to
whom the interests Of his constituents may
be safely conGded.
ReSoired, That in electing Wm. T. Packer
as Governor Of the State, the Democratic
party have secured the services Of one in
every way well qualified to administer all the
affairs OF the State for its best interests
With an enlarged experience lie combines
administrative ability OF no ordinary character
and we have every confidence that he will, by
bis advocacy OF the true Democratic policy
secure the prosperity Of the people and the
honor of the Commonwealth.
Resolred, That we recommend TO the Leg,
islature Of this State such measures of reform
aud economy as will lessen, as much as posi-
bic the heavy burtheus imposed upon the
people by taxation and we particularly
recommend such revision OF the system o
banking, as may prevent, in the future, tht
troubles and dltlicullios that the people Of The
State have lately encountered.
Mr. Stokes offered the following as ar
amendment 10 the report Of the committee
"The Democratic party OF the State o
nnsylvania, in convention assembled, dt
resolve
|. That the fundamental basis Of American
liberty is tue right OF the people, without uut
distinction OF locality, Circumstance or result
10 make tho laws under which they 1--we.
. The great right assa.led during the latt
Presidential! contest, by our opponents, Ma
gloriously vindicated by the election Of th'
Democratic candidate.
8. This victory was supposed to Insure Il
all, and especially the citizens Of territories 0
the United States, the free exercise Of nl
political rights by which to declare, establish
and maiptuin such institutions, policy un'
measures as u majority might deem bes
adapted to promote their prosperity, securit.
and happiness and this, without any dicta
iion or restraint from any person or officer
or any unauthorized interference whatever.
4. Such independent freedom Of the popu
lar will eau only be attained By full exercis
of the individual rights Of the elective Tran
chise and, therefore, is the true test Of tn
validity OF constitutional government.
3. Therefore, Congress should admit n
State into the Union, except with Coust
tuition ratified and adopted in all its parts b
u majority of all the citizens, to be goverae
by such Constitution, which majority should b
: real, not fictitious; fair, not fraudulent
direct, not implied; aud anything short c
| this is a mockery, delusion, aud a snare
infamous in oct, and disastrous in conss
quence.
g. 10 abandon the people of q territory {
= political intrigue, unfair intrusion, or lawles
! violence. and thus defeat the true ezpressio
and absolute application of the right Of sci
. government, would be u violation of the homo
aud an abandonment Of the maXims Of ii
j Democratic party, and must finally result in
4 rupture Of the bonds by which the party al
held together, and consequent sacrifice
all that secures the Freedom, greatness al
glory OF the country.
7. That the policy Of forcing Kansas int
the Union upon u Constitution already r.
iected at the ballot.box by a large majorit
Of the people for whose government IL WI
framed, is ruinous that il Involves an AZ
s f Congressional Intervention and polite
o usurpaton, accomplished, il at all, at q sacT
fee Of the plighted faith of the nation an
in defiance Of the principles OF self,gover
II 4 4