Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-03-06

az We have understood that our decided
opposition to the admission of Kansas as a
State under the Lecompton Constitution, has
led some of our American friends to infer that
we are prone to RepuJlicanism or as they
understand Republicanism, anti-slarery.
We do not wish to be misunderstood, and we
can hardly see how we can be; but word or
two on this subject may be necessary to pre-
vent any misunderstanding. In regard to
slavery, we are neither pro nor anti. 1t is a
subject we have, as americans, nothing to do
with. 1t belongs to the several States where
it exists, exclusively, and not to the Federal
Government; and we are content to leave it
where it belongs, and with those who have the
responsibility Of 1.-THE blessings and benefits,
as well as the plague and Inconvenience.
If some States do not choose to have slaves, or
authorize slavery, very well; we shall not com
plain of them on that account; and if other
States think proper to have slaves, and author
ize slavery, that is matter which concerns
them, and as they have the power to do as to
them seemeth good in this respect, what bus.
mess is it of ours and why should we NEEDLE
with their concerns, or undertake to read moral
and political lectures to them on the subject?
They will tolerate slavery just as long as it is
profitable to them; and when it ceases to be
so, they win abolish slavery as other States
have done when slave labor became less pro-
fitable than free labor
We are opposed to agitating or discussing
the subject Of slavery; but we know it will
continue to be discussed and agitated, because
both Northern men and Southern men find its
discussion politically profitable to themselves
They can get up an excitement at home upon
this subject, when they cannot on any other,
and they can manifest great deal of patriotic
Juror in regard to it, and thereby secure their
election or reelection to Congress, when, per-
haps, but for the agitation Of the subject they
would sink to the bottom of society, or never
be thrown up, as sediment in water sinks the
moment the water ceases to be agitated So
much for our notions in regard to slavery, and
the agitation of the subject.
But the question Of the admission of Kansas
as a State under the Lecompton Constitution,
is quite another affair; and as the Louisville
Journal, speaking in the midst of slavery, ex-
presses very nearly our own thoughts, in COM
menting on ''the Kansas question, we adopt
its language:
candid review of this question will certainly
show that it is no mere pro slavery anti-savery
issue, but the great question of States rights is
absolutely involved and, strange as it may appear,
those who are opposing the admission of Kansas
under the Lecompton constitution are actually
upon the side which it is manfestly to the interest
Of the South most pertinaciously to uphold. The
recognition of the principle involved is important
10 every Southern State 1t matters not how the
new State of Kansas may determine its domestic
condition, whether for or against slavery, the right
of the people to adopt such constitution as they
may approve is that upon which rests the safety
Of all the slaveholding States from the interference
of the Federal Government. 1t is this right that
is now involved, and this right alone"
We are utterly opposed to all such attempts
as have BEEN and are now made to force con-
stitution upon people to nine-tenths, if not
ninety hundreths Of whom it is obnoxious
and hateful We should be opposed to it were il
even the most perfect constitution that ever was
made. Congress has no right to do it, and il
that body shall, it will be an act of unjustifia.
BILE usurpation and tyranny. 1t is pretended
that this constitution has been submitted, for.
mally, to the people, and that a majority Of
those who voted at all, voted for it and there.
fore Congress should adopt it having been
approved by the people. This reasoning will
of course, satisfy those who want to impose
the Lecompton Constitution upon the people
but how it can satisfy any fair-minded man,
with all the facts before him-any man who
would not were he Judge upon the bench,
permit justice and equity to be defeated
by mere technical bubble, is to us utterly
incomprehensible. The people of the United
States-the plain, unsophisticated men who are
not accustomed to special pleading, prevarica-
ton, and the classification" of language, will
see the simple fact, which stands out as clear
as the noon-day, unclouded sun, that the peo-
pie OF Kansas have not voted for nor desired
this constitution, and that it is hateful to them;
and this viii be enough. All the sophistry in
the world cannot hide this fact from them, nor
convince them that constitution should be
crammed down the Threats Of any people
against their will