Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1858-01-30
PLACERVILLE.
Gel. VVashImRtOM',. Le,ter.


We publish, to the exclusion Of variety of
other matter, the certainly very able and in
Renious letter Of Col. WASHINGTON on the
Kansas Controversy, and commend il to
the careful peruSal Of the Democracy of Ell Do
RADIO. It Is written in reply to our leader Of
last week, in which we incidentally mentioned
him, among Others, as having during the Pres.
idential contest, taken strong and decided
grounds in favor Of e. On-interyention, squat
YER sovereignty, that which Senator Douglas
II 20 strenuOusly contending for. We desire
that both sides shall be heard, in order that the
reader may impartially form his own opinion
with regard ~ the matter in controversy. We
have always entertained for the writer the
highest admiration and esteem have un-
bounded confidence in his Democracy, genius
and patriOtism--have followed his teachings
and now differ from him with some miSgivings
We have not time nor space to review so fully
m we desire his letter. But there is one pur-
ton Of It we cannot omit reference to. We
think he greatly magnIties the issue between the
"IllinOis Senator and the President" lie iuti-
mates that "the issue" Is so great rs to war
rant division Of the party, and some who
think with him talk of u roll CALI and the
"takng Of sides forever"
Col. Washington is too good Democrat to
desire aught save the union and harmony Of
the party of which he is so hOnOrcd member;
but there are those, men protesting to be Demo
seek the disruption Of our party. Those men
hail with delight the declaration from one of
such unimpeached Democracy rs Col. W., that
s'the issue Is q radical one" Is there an "SsUe"
at all; or il an issuc between the Administra-
ton and members Of the Democratic party
does exist, 10 il Of such character as to lead 10
Q dismemberment OF the party! We think
not.
Political parties have their origin bccaus SC
men will differ upon some great fundamental
political principle. Mere questions Of cXpedi.
ency are not sufficient to sustain political
party or faction. II we can believe MIR. Doug
las and Mr.. Buchanan, they do not differ III
principle; both say the people Of the terrific
Fies should make their own laws, without the
interference Of Congress. All Democrats
agree In that proposition, but the Republicans
would restrict the self-gOverning power of the
people of the territories IN tho slavery question
Now II matters not how the people of the
territory exercise their right Of selfgovcrn-
ment. They may make their laws through
their Delegates, many or few they might have
one man write out Constitution for them, and
then approve or reject 1t as they saw iit Ii
matters not how they make their constitution,
provided that when made it is such constr
tuition % they want. The beat and most prop
or, but not the only way Of aSccrtaining,
whether the people approve of the proposed
constitution, is BY taking the peoples voice
upon IL through the DallOt DON. OlrCumStlfl-
ces might render such vote unncccSsary-it
might have the entire known, acknowledged
approval Of the people; when to IL proposed
constitution no whisper Of opposition was
heard, Congress might very properly conclude
that the non submission Of the constitution tO
the people was in accordance with their wish.
But the difference Of opinion among Demo-
Gratis in relation to the LccOmptOn -Cnnsiitu.
ton ID not one so much Of principle AS of facts
and of expediency. And let Congress reject or
admit Kansas with that Constitution, we don I
zee how IL affects any one outside Of Kansas.
Mr.. Douglas thinks, and we think he is right,
that the people Of Kansas don't want to be adj
mitted as n State, If the Lecompton ConstitlI-
S0n IL 70 be their fundamental law. Those
who refused to vote for Delegates to the Con
ventiOn that gave birth TO that instrument, are
deserving Of no sympathy; but Gov. Walker
says whole counties had no OppOrtuuy Ia vote.
But be this as il may, We have vet to hear ol
any man who seriously pretcnds that the peo-
pie Of Kansas approve the Lccompton Consti
tuition.
The advocates Of that instrument present il
Tn Congress and admit that they did not submit
IL to the people, becuWse then WouM Ofe 10 dOWn
With such an admission we think Congress
should reject the petition of the Lccomp t0nItcs
We want no interference by Congress with
the affairs Of the people Of Kansas. and there
fore we don't want Congress, even to restore
quiet and peace, to interfere by forcing n con.
stitutiOn upon that people against the acknowl
edged wishes Of that people.