Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1858-02-11
ton to pass by default.

heartily rejoice that a wise and bet,
ter spirit prevailed among a large ma.
Jority of these peopleSon>t the first Mon.
day in january, and that they did OF
that day vote under the Lecompton Con.
stltntion for a.Governor and other State
officers a member of Congress, and mem.
bers of the Legislature. This election
was warmly contested by the parties
n a larger vote polled than at any pre-.
vious election in the Territory. We
may now reasonably hope that the rev.
~olutionary Topeka organization will be
speedily and finally abandoned, and this
will go far toward a final settlement OF
the unhappy differences in Kansas. If
frauds have been committed at this cleo
ton by one or by both parties, the Leg.
i~slature and people of Kansas, under
their constitution, know how to redress
themselves and these detestable, but too
common crimes, without outside inter
ferehce.
The people of Kansas have then sin
their own way, and in strict accordance
with the Organic Act, framed a constitu-
ton and State Government, have sub
mitted the all-important question of
slavery to the people, and have elected
a Governor, member of Congress, mem
bers of the State Legislature, and other
State officers, and they now ask admis-
sion into the Union under this Consti-
tuition, republican in its form. It is for
Congress to decide whether they will
admit or reject the State which has
thus been created. For my own part 1
am decidedly in favor of its admission,
and will carry out the great principle
of non intervention sanctioned by the
Organic Act, which declares, in express
ton of Congress with slavery in the
State and Territories, leaving the people
perfectly free to form and regulate their
domestic institution in their own way,
subject only to the Constitution of the
United States.
In this manner, localizing the ques-
ton of slavery, and combining it to the
people who are Immediately concerned,
every patriot anxiously expected that
this questions would be banished from
the halls of Congress, where it has al
ways exerted a bancful influence
throughout the country. 1t is proper
that 1 should refer to the election held
under the act of the Territorial Legisla-
tune on the first Monday of January, on
the Lecompton Constitution. This
election was held after the Territory had
been prepared for admission into the
Union as a sovereign State, and when
no authority existed in the Territorial
Legislature which could possibly destroy
it's existence, or change its character
The election, which was ~peaceably con-
Quoted under my instruction, involved
strange inconsistencies.
A large majority of the persons who
voted against the Lecompton Constitu-
ton were at the same time and place
recognizing its valid existence in the
most solid and authentic manner, by
voting under its provisions. l have yet
received no official information of the
of this election. As a question
of expedieney, after right has been
maintained, it may be wise to reflect up
on the benefits and the whole country
that will result from its immediate ad-
mission into the Union, as well as the
disasters that may follow its rejection.
Domestic peace Will be the happy con
of the admmission, and that
fine Territory, hitherto torn by dissen-
will rapidly increase in popula-
ton and wealth, and speedily realize the
blessings and comfort which follow ag-
ricultural and mechanical industry
The people then will be sovereign, and
can regulate their affairs in their W
way. If the majority of them desire to
domestic slavery with the State,
there is no other possible mode by which
can be effected so speedily as by its
prompt admission.
The will of the majority is supreme
and irresistible when expressed in an
and lawful manner 1t can un-
make constitutions at pleasure. 1t
be absured to say that they can
impose letters upon their WI power
which they cannot afterward remove
If they could do this they might tie
ownhands just as we'll for a hun
dred as for ten years. These are the
principles of American
freedom, and are recognized in some
form. by every State constitution, and if
Congress, iii the act of admission, should
think proper to recognize them, l can
perceive no objection. This has been
done emphatically in the constitution
Of Kansas. It declares in its bill Of
that "all political power is inner
emit in the people," and all free govern
ments are founded on their authority |
and instituted for their benefit, and,
therefore, have at all times an inaliena-
BILE and indefcaceable right to alter, re-
form and abolish their form of govern
in such manner as they may think
proper.
The CRATE State of New York is at
this moment governed under a constitu-
ton framed and established in direct
opposition to the mode prescribed by a
previous constitution. IF therefore a
provision changing the Constitution of
Kansas after the year 1864, could by
any possibility be constructed into a
prohibition, to make such change pre-
vious to that period of prohibition, it
would be wholly unavailing. The Leg
%islature already enacted may at its first
session submit the question to a vote of
the people whether they will or will not
have a Convention to amend their Con-
stitution, and adopt all necessary means