The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-03-05
NEW YORK HERALD FRIDAY MARCH S. 1853.

New HAMPSHIRE provided Tor alteraons or admitted he
me constitution o. 1921 Of the STATE Of New YORK wa
displaced abroga:ed against its express provisions
1886 end new one was adopted by the people 10 we
OF Luther Borden & howard, PIP. 27) the su.
says" No enc, we believe ever doubted the proposition
that according TO the institutions OF this country the sove
regny every state resides IN the people Q. sae
and that they may alter and change their form OF govern
ment at their own pleasure" In The Convention whco
ramed the late constitution of Virginia proposition was
made to insert clause providing mode for is iurnei
amendment The proposition rejected on the ground
that majority OF the people had the power at any time
and in any manner they PLEASED 70 amend toe hnh
II rejected those OF James Madison Chef justice
Marshall John Tyler and Liitleton Tazewell. will add
another authority, which. though contemporary 70 emit
tied 70 all the respect and generation belonging TO the
great past During the debate upon the admission OF MI
chgan tie Senate Of the United States Mr. Benton re-
marked THAT conventions we're original acts OF the peo
pie. They depended upon inherent and inaienable
rights The people O. aoy state MAJ at any time
and without any provision in their constitution and may
alter abolish the whole frame Of government as they
In the majority, and they could be dlvested Of it,
(Ga!es Seaton's Debates, vol IL, part 1o38) Sir,
there Is no room for comment upon this formidable array
exception TO their general is anywhere to be
found They are full and conclusive upon the point that
people through the intervention OF their representatives.
in convention clothed with the power Of abr0gatng
old constitutions and Of establishing new constitutions at
their arbitrary pleasure. regardless Of law
organic law any other law. Sir the second paragraph
in the Bill Of Rights included in the Lecomp.on constu
ticn, s IN these words
All political power nheren. In the people and all free
founded their authority and Instituted for
BILE and indeeable right to alter reform or abolish their
form Of such they may think proper
must therefore, be quite apparent that, Kansas be-
admitted under this constitution Congress WILL in effect,
have affirmed the political doctrine here asserted. Still,
that lingering doubt however unfounded, may be per
mitted to the most skeptcal mind think 1t would be
we'll sir that Congress should accompany the act OF ad
mission with declaration OF the naenAble and ndefea
sble right of the people at all times to alter reform
abolish their form OF government in such manner es
they may think proper am confident eir that such q
declaration while Intellectual either In addition to de-
rogation from the law would quiet the honestly enter
taned though causeess fears Of many well mentioned
citizen, would reduce the senseess camor OF part
press Sir. the country Graves rest. aud believe
that exclusion Of the affairs Of Kansas from those OF
the States will produce it Nothing in my Judgment will
accomplish this the introduction OF Kansas into the
Union Then but not till then, will the people Of Kansas
be effectuay enabled to form and regulate their domes
my reasons rendered at large for declining to com
ply with the request of the very distinguished gentlemen
who, short while since, requested me- among others to
oppose the Iecempton observation-disclosures sir, which
have satisfied that the principles OF popular eighty
and the fundamental principles OF constitutional demo
crazy required IFS support, have adopted no sectional
view and have diligently endeavored to exclude con,ro
answer whether am justified by the argument-whether
the reasons rendered demand the conclusion adopted
paen ty await the result knowing that have directed
course devious and deceptive path but full upon
the meridian line OF the Union.
The address was listened 10 throughout with earnest
attention, and frequently interrupted by applause At
the conclusion motion OF Capt Ry nders three cheers
were given for the chairman OF the Committee ca Com
of the House of Representatives, and the meeting
adjourned