The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1858-03-10
Making an aggregate of


Constitution with slavery G,226 votes
Constitution without slavery 529
Making an aggregate of 6.IJ5
An opportunity has consequently been aifor-
ded to the people OF Kansas to decide this ques-
tion of slavery for themselves, and that decis-
ion is now before us with all the sanctions o
law. No real or valid exception can be taken
to any other part of the Constitution. On this
subject President Buchanan has we'll said in his
message:
The constitution conforms precisely to what
Gov. Walker SAID would meet his most cordial
approval, and that he should devote his whole
time in addresses every day to the people ofev-
cry county in the territory to secure IFS adop-
ton. He says:
"Adopt a constitution very similar to that o
some of the southern States, securing the right
10 tie slaves now in the Territory, numbering
probably from two to three hundred, but prohi.
biting the introduction of any more, excluding
free negroes; enforcing by most stringent pro.
visions the execution Of the fugitive slave law,
securing the right Of appeal in all constitutional
cases to the Supreme Court Of the United States
and requiring all officers Of the government
legislative, executive and judicial, ~.thc judges
and inspectors of all of the elections, and
the attorneys Of all courts;--to take an oath to
support the constitution Of the State and oI
the United States Such constitution, If sub
mittcd to vote of the whole people, would, in
my opinion, be adopted by q very considerable
majority"
II will be seen that the convention at Le-
compton has adopted just such constitution,
with the Single exception Of the clause prohibi-
ting the introduction of any more slaves; and
I,t lnn
vote Of the people themselves, registered and
unregistered, thus leaving no possible pretext
for complaint.
1t is well known that the only real matter oI
controversy in Kansas was the question of sla-
very. Evidence to that effect could be accumu-
lated almost without limit establishing that
fact. But the committee deem this unnecccssa-
ry, as the fact itself will hardly be disputed by
any one. Such being the case, no reasonable
ground Of complaint can be found; for that ques-
ton was submitted to all the bona fde inhabitants
for decision on the 21st December There is
no pretence that that any districts counties, or
persons were disiranchiSed at that election. Ev-
cry qualified voter, whether registered or not
registered had the unrcstraned privilege of ro-
ting for or against slavery Here, then, was
the opportunity to settle The only existing diff
ficully, if it was desired. Would it not be very
extraordinary to permit a iactious portion ofthc
people, in total dieregard of the law, to stay
E wilully from the polls, when, according to law,
and according to the published notice of Gov
Walker; they were equally bound as if they had
voted, and then claim the privilege of q re-su6-
mission? .....
If it were true that they had, as they assert
: majority opposed to slavery, they could have
voted out the clause sanctoning that institution
BY their own act the clause is retained: and
then they desire to reject the teAole constitution
because ofthe so-called obnoxious slavery clause
left in by their own refusal to cote. Such viii
funcss is not to be conciliated or tolerated in
country governed by laws. Suppose twenty ad
ditional opportunities should be afforded to the
same people to vote on all these questions, who
can guaranty that they will act better in the
future than they have in the past? Who can
say that they will vote at all? And If not
would not the same objection now made be as
valid then as it is now, with reference to THEN
nan action? 1t seems to be, however, but carry.
ing out their known political design to prevent
the peaceful settlement Of the question.
The only legal rule is te adhere to the uni.
form practice of all the constitutional govern.
ments in the Union; and an opportunity having
be9n afforded to all of registering their names
and voting, Nc0 to decide according to the ma
iorty thus cast, whether some of the people
have voten, or neglected or refused TO vote
, Gov. Walker said to the people o Kansas il
his Official address: .... .......
"Throughout our whole Union, and whcrcv.
er free governments prevails, those who abstain
from the exercise Of the rights Of suffrage au.
th0riZe those who do vote to act for them in that
, contingency, and the abscntees are as much
bound under the law and constitution-wheT
there is no fraud or violcnce-by the majority Of
those who do vote as though all had participated
in the election. Otherwise, as voting must be
voluntary, self government would be Impracti
cable, and monarchy and despotism would re-
main as the only alternative" .... .....
Admitting the truth orthe proposition of Gov
Walker that those who abstain from voting au
thOrize those who do vote to vote for them, il
necessarily follows that the abolitionists Of Kan
sas, if they are the majority Of the people, as
they claim to be, are directly responsible for The
establishment Of slavery in that Territory; anC
whether they constitute the majority or the mi
nority, the decision made is equally binding up
on all. ..ff
Popular sovereignty has been invoked by
, some to defeat the LccomptOn Constitution. i
is even alleged that by those objectors that no
= thing but submission OF the whole constitu
ton to direct vote of the people would be
compliance with the provisions CT the Kansas
Nebraska act, which declares the people OF that
Territory shall be perfectly free to form their do
mestic institutions in N.si, oacll rag. With th
view Of the subject the committee cannot agree
Surely it will not be contended that this pro
vision of the Kansas organic law diminished tht
previous rights of the people in creating State
government. In all time past, since the deciar
alton OF independence, it has been uniorml,
: admitted without q single exception, that tht
|, people had the right Of choice either to form
! their constitutions by their agents elected TO
that purpose, or to reserve tho right TO ratifl
, the constitution by subsequent direct vote 0
of the people. In either case and in both ca.
ses, it is the act Of the people, and full eXer
, else of popular sovereignty If therefore, tn
Kansas act had taken away the right OF th,
J people to act through their agents it would b
|. a limitation of their rights rather than an in
crease and improvement, as the friends of tha
measure have heretofore boosted. The peopl
would, in that case, be confined to one tDay on|
in which to make constitution, and woul,
not be at liberty to choose their oWn ,0dy. Sucl
a construction of the organic law is manifest,
: erroneous.
Ilauing thus given historical account Of tn
matter referred to their consideration, your com
: mittee will briefly review the whole subject, un
embarrassed by details. They will look at III
: subject as it originated as it has been for thrc
Iyears, and as it now is.
The population of our country four years sg
was principally confined by treaty and by Law
to the comparatively small region lying to th
: east Of the river Mississippi. Iowa, Missouri
t Arkansas, and part Of Louisiana were found o.
the western bank, Also, on the extreme south