The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-02-01
The Washington Organ of Mr. Douglas on
Hnnana Alfalfa

The Washington Organ of Mr. Douglas on
Kansas Affairs.
From the Washington States Jan %
THK ADMISSION OF KANSAS UNDER THR LEcoMPToN
CONSTITUTION, AND ITS PROBABLE EFFECT ON THE
FUTURE OF TBR DEMOCRACY.
Kansas it would seem, Is still decreed by tate 70
fresh phases Of difficulty to the politician who so
lately thought he had reason TO bid the subject
earty adieu. II comes before now in the least
fashionable shape, but in opposite manner 10
hat so lately deemed unquestionable that II de-
sands consideration more for our selidetence as
pmocrats than for any settlement OF ITS troubles:
hey, il would appear, are settled by the people OF
iansas for themselves.
Governor Denver's proclamation to the people OF
the Territory showing that there is majority OF ten
thousand OF the bona tide voters OF the Territory
against the Lecompton constitution IL the nrst wen
authenticated evidence we have that the people OF
Kansas are almost UNANIMOUSLY opposed 10 II. we
had plenty of newspaper statements TO that erect,
and no lack of their endorsement by politicans but
we never have had the facts presented to us as they
now are They come to us as the omclal vote OF the
federal official governing the Territory; and we can
not but recognize their full bearing and Importance
We remarked on Saturday that the result Of Gov.
Denvers returns gives entirely aspect to the
Kansas question; and it is a matter for thoughtful
consideration whether Kansas ought to be taken into
the Union with the Lecompton constitution, and q
majority of three TO one against it, We have per-
sistently refused to be led by the statements of
stultifed letterwrters, and scheming speculative
politicians, representing incorporating each and
every side of this Kansas controversy. We have
always argued for simplihcation, and not a com
plcaon of the facts of the case advised readers
to wait patiently for such simpthcation, and not be
deuded by the exertions of denagogues in search OF
political capital: and who hoping 10 bless their own
ssES at have 00Dne0H'y cursed Kansas by 'ns' inter
We have now to take decided action on the ques-
ton In few days the representatives of the entire
people will be put to the test o! sustaining the doc
trine of non-interventon and State rights, on the
principle that the people have right to form their
own constitution; or that constitution condemned
by three-fourths OF the people of Kansas shall be
forced upon them by the national Congress.
We cannot too earnestly beg of democratic Sena
tors and members, from the North and the South to
give this vital question all the honest consideration
such fundamental question this of State rights
demands, and especially in its present relation to
Kansas. We beg OF them to consider the question
in all its bearings-its gains its losses and its final
results. Noisy defamation on the one hand or bland
sophistry on the other must not sderaud their con-
victions of the truth. Let them act like reasonable
reasoning men, honest to themselves by being honest
to those principles OF State rights democracy by
which their constituents sent them to Congress.
1t is beyond doubt that large majority of the
Northern democracy is opposed to the Lecompton
constitution the ground that the people OF Kan
sas who have right to choose their institutions
are opposed to it, The press OF the democracy tell
us so; and democratic Legislatures in a number of
instances have instructed their Senators and men,
bers of Congress to oppose it. On the other hand,
the South are almost unanimous i'll its favor. Now,
the question is should the South press the Northern
democracy To- vete for the reception OF the Lecomp
ton constitution at any sacrifice?
The national democracy of the North have always
fought and always will fight, side by side with the
united South on any question touching the aggran
dizement or safety of the Union. The Northern
democracy have stood by the South in the acquisition
of Territory heretofore, and II Is prepared to stand
by the South in the acquisition OF Territory hereafter
The knowledge Of these facts ought TO make the
South careful how perls the strength of the North
by forcing il to vote which, in all probability, might
sacrifice it, position in the councils of the nation,
and break up the party power of the democracy in
the North. The facts on all sides us OF such
danger. On the other hand, how is the South to be
benefited by such sacrifice OF the North! Let us
see.
The admission of Kansas, in defiance Of the ex.
pressed will of its people, will, according 10 the
reported returns bring into the Senate Of the United
States two black republican Senators, which will
weaken the South two votes in that body. IL We are
to draw any differences from the prevailing opinion
at the North the democracy there must be Frustrated
for some years by the admission of Kansas under
such circumstances. If our Southern friends have
overlooked the effect of defeat Of the Northern de-
mocracy for the next two or three years, we will
refresh their memories TO the following facts
In the Senate Of the United States parties now
stand 81 democrats; Is opposition. From elections
which have already taken place, there will be
sions of democratic Senators from Tennessee, Ken
lucky, Minnesota and Texas, which will make par
ties stand AZ democrats; % opposition Within the
next two years Senators elected in nine Northern
States in place of the present incumbent and those
already elected who are democrats, viz:-Allen of
Rhode Island Wright o. New Jersey Biger Of Penn
sylvania Pugh OF Ohio, Stuart OF Michigan, Fitch of
Indiana Douglas OF Illinois Jones OF Iowa and one of
the Senators from Wisconsin; besides Bright Of lndi-
ana nav lose his seat account Of llegality, and
plug ugly may be sent from Maryland in place of
Mr. Peafce; in all eleven seats will need occupants.
Some of these States whose Senator terms will ex-
pire NAV already be clsssed black republican,
and the reception Of the Lecompton constitution by
democratic Congress may result in the entire de-
feat OF the democracy in the States now democratic.
Thus in all probability, eleven additional Senators
will stand on the black republican side OF the United
States Senate, making parties stand thus-demo-
Gratis, 81 opposition, including Kansas, 30. MAORI
ty for opposition :.
This Is not an encouraging picture TO look upon.
But politicians. il they will can make the prospect
pleasanter We do not think we exaggerate the diff.
fcultes 10 be apprehended at the North by the re-
ceptiOn OF the LecOmptOn constitution by demo-
cratic Congress. with Governor Denyers proclama-
ton before endorsing the people Of Kansas in the
protest against the constitution we cannot see how
democratic Senator or member OF Congress could
face his constituents in the North If he voted for its
acceptance. The South not only positively gains
nothing but loses much by making the acceptance
OF the LecOmptOn constitution test with the
Northern democracy. IL will only help to drive 1t
Senators out Of Congress, who would stand by the
South ia bringing in Arizona a slave State, or Sc
curing TO us Cuba, Nicaragua or Mexico
II Is not our desire TO dictate what the South or
the North should do in this emergency but we do
desire 20 zee the national democracy united and
strengthened and believe it our duty To iearessly
present to that great party such facts as may tend
TO warn il against destruction. This Is the more
particularly needful now in view Of the new issues
which must arise within few years, and which
must be the means Of securing wealth, power and an
extension Of institutions southwark If our states
men now look calmly at the facts before they plunge
the North, with the South into this Lecompton
maelstrom. They should neither sacrifice the North
or South for Kansas, especially when there is such
inconroyertble reasons (as given by Governor Den.
yer) for letting Kansas alone.
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