Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1858-01-14

ali controversy. 1t is vain say that the Deone
can vote upon the slavery question. IL is not true
in fact, as they can only vote for or against the i'm
portltion of any more slaves, and even this poor
privilege they can only exercise by voting, at the
same time, for the Constitution to which they are
opposed Such an overthrow Of popular rights un-
der the elective franchise, has never before been
witnessed in this country and will not be endured
10y the people of Kansas. They insist upon the
right OF voting for against the Constitution, of
making their OWN Government. OF governing them
selves, and not merely of governing Africans who
may be hereafter imported within their limits.
1t is clear from the outbreaks which have already
occurred, that if Congress should adopt the Lee
compton Constitution, we shall have scenes of strife
and bioodShed re enacted in that Territory, from
which every patriot must turn in horror and dis
may. The people will not submit to the Lccompt-
on Constitution. They have so declared in all their
mass Conventions, and they will resist it even TO
bloodshcd. Ifthis of affairs should occur what
then! Why, the new State authorities acknowl-
edged by Congress and the President will demand
of the latter the aid OF the federal troops saugh
! ter the people. We believe this effort would fail,
but if it succeeded it would be victory purchased
by the overthrow of the Democratic party, and we
fear even of the Government.
Civil war. it is evident, would not be confined TO
Kansas Thousands of Missourians have already
illegally voted there Oh the 2lst OF December and
would march to the aid of the Lecompt0n faction.
while, on the other hand, from the ncghboring
Territory of Nebraska, and the adjacent State OF
Iowa, thousands would flock tn the standard of the
people, and the civil war would probably be extend
cd throughout the Union. Indeed, G, en- from Mis-
souri,, it Is apprehcnGcd that not few would join
the irec-Sate party of Kansas; for large majority
of the people of that State are opposed to the late
incursion and invasion upon the bIlot-box. The
times arc full of danger. We are upon the brink OF
the prccipice and the adoption by Congress of the
Lecompton Constitution would hurl Us into the
abysS below.
/ WHY then should the Lecomaton Constitution be
forced upon a. unw Hin pcopc2 Why should tn :
lDt have the privilege OF voting against as well as
for the Constitution Why should the elective fran
chise be renlcre, Il solemn mockery, an the pco-
Die forced to vote for an Instrument to which they
are opposed or be deprived altogether of the right
oislIiagc! But ii Is not only civil WAR in X M
sas that is 70 be dreaded us the result of this mon
strous usurpition. The example of such disfiail-
chiscmcnt OF Il free people has most dangerous
and alarming tendency.
fthc elective franchise cm he matllatcd in Kan
sls, and the act approved by Democratic Con
crcss and Democratic AlministTa lion, why not in
other States and Territories until the right of sut
flagc, the scrcd privilege of every American cti-
zen, shall be 6rttieI alto ye'her, an or Govern
ment, instead of rcstin. upon the Will. PEo-
I
nv oligarchv or deSpotism7 TIE 'iyi Of sIfra. =
must be maintained at al ha-ards. |: cannot be ri
He'd With with inlpunitv. Ii must be withheld in al
It's entirety and in all its freedom. \ shackescin
be placed uponlt. The Government inG>t bc..ound-
cd ON TIE consent Of the covtrled and that prin-
cpe must ne extended t. Kansas as it exists III cy-
cry ether State.
This is no question of cxpcdicncy. bu; one OF
principc-ayc. the fund mcnt principle that lies
at the very basis OF ali institutions; ami it mus.
ber cognihcd and upheld i'll all its strength an,
III iicSty. The Democratic party is party Oi pT:n-
cipes. 1t is principles that constitute the Demo
cratic creed and opinions power. No nam has Il
right to chan"S the principles ot the Democratic
party, and especially those which fundamental
and eternal. This is too grca; question: it con
Germs too -cpv the sacred ri 4his Of Amcri-
can citizens - be stbvcrtel by amy man, OF t. be
disro garcd upon ANY wrc;chcd ptccXt o; temporary
expcdicncy. 1t is i'll vain to say viii sbvcrt the
principle, an! lint Tie people o. 'iiS,s Will rcct.
hc evil hereafter. Great an Eual,n NAL p",nci-
pies must re-er BE- roiq'fi: not even ior day an
hour much less for period indefinite il: tlc, AM
when results are uncertain.
MIST extraordinary i the position that We can
deprive the people of X nsiS IT tiiS time OF the
right III Ike their own government. ai pcrmt tiis
minority 10 establish a Constitution Tor them. De
cause ut >o:ne u.Ure peri ri unknown ana il. c.tc
by revolution, 10y evil war, otherwise. the peo
iish one of their choice. Even the poor pre-
text THAI this would settle the question ana
take it ont ofC0ngrcS>, is utterly unoundrd in act
L. would not settle the X ans IL question nor would
it take il OFT ofCoigrcsS from the State, Com
grcsSonal or Presidential ccc;ioas--uo, it wonld
be attended by civil war, hl conflict between the
pcop.c OF kaIls AMI the Federal army, il would
bring the question ck in lis dircIul form IN
to every eection. Il would render still! more ex
aspcritcd the discussions III Congress. aal threaten
die exist nee 0fthe Government itself. Why ihcI
ID inec >nch caiamiticS upon the country Why no
reject the Constitution bC it has nos been sub
; mite / To the pco?c. and enable them. is Is thc
right, Ia fJrm II ii a Government II M be III &c
4 corlancc ,ri,a Tic irHoj tie mq tr.fyi
tbs great principle lies at the baSis OF all Dc
mocricy IN o: al free government, ami the IN :,
IS who compose our party will never consent t
scc ii surrendered or mutila,.d, Much, then, a
We cp.orc tlcsc!v.l war already commenced il
kins -, it my have come upon Us like alarm
bc,la m ni:sll: to arouse The nItion from it, sum
ber and t. induce citizens to comm md thcl
representatives in Congress to bring such c.an.
lilies upon the county. The unterrtcI Dcmocr,
cy OF PENNSYLVANIA cannot be driven ar seducc
from their support OF the great principle o: self or
crnmcnt Ii thcr representatives, disregard thci
+ viii they will receive u rcbuke 81 inci4 giant an
unyer,, that Il will teach the servants ot the pee
y that HEREAFTER THEIR Will. MUST AM
~ SHALL BE OBEYED.