The Placer herald., 1858-01-23
The Kansas Question.

the entire confederacy, and brought out ex-
This absorbing interest would not have been
felt, were it not that the idea has somehow
prevailed, that his position is antagonistic to
the views of the President on the same ques-
ton. But we confess our inability to see, as
yet that there is any more than slight
difference of opinion, not upon the doctrine
of popular sovereignty itself-one Of the fun
damental articles of the Democratic creed
but whether it were better to admit Kansas
in the Union, under the Constitution that
will be presented after the peculiar manner
in which it has been submitted to the people
The President conceives the spirit and intent
of the Kansas organic act complied with in
submitting the slavery question to the peo-
pie, and if Kansas be now admitted under
the Lecompton Constitution, the citizens Of
the new State can settle their own troubles
without interference from any other quarter.
Mr. Douglas, who is the author of the Kan
sas-N ebraska act, and it certainly must be
admitted that he is proper person to say
what the meaning of that act was, declares
that the Lecompton Convention has not car
ried out the intent of the organic law Of
Kansas, but by their action have rendered
the doctrine of popular sovereignty nullity.
Thus the matter stands: the President and
tbo foat IF
democratic doctrine, do not differ. As
question of expediency the President would
approve of the admission of Kansas under
the Constitution that is offered-Mr Doug
las objects to this, for the reason that by this
course the main principle involved in the
issue is sacrificed. Hence it will be seen,
that the President has but made sugges-
ton as to what he believes tie best cour.e
to pursue under the circumstances, which
does not necessarily conflict with the popu-
lar sovereignty doctrine itself, as understood
by Mr.. Douglas and the Democratic party
generally.
1t cannot be doubted for one moment
that if Congress should reject the Lecomp
ton Constitution the President would acqui-
esce in their decision, and send the whole
question back to the people of Kansas. This
being the case, how then can it be believed
that anything has yet occurred to create a
serious misunderstanding between these dis
tnCuished gentlemen, or disturb the har
mony of the party.
We have the assurance in the Presidents
Message, that his views assimilated with
those of Mr.. Douglas, for he expresses his
disappointment that the Lecompton Consttu-
ticn was not submitted to the people of
Kansas for their adoption or rejection. And
as a further proof of their identity of senti-
ment, he hopes that, in future, Congress will
REQUIRE as was done in the case of Mime
sofa, that the constitution of all new States
shall be submitted directly to the people for
their adoption OF rejection.
So far, then, it is question Of expe-
diency on one hand and principle upon the
other. And if Congress shall believe, with
Mr.. Douglas, that strict adherence to the
principle of popular sovereignty will furnish
more speedy and equitable settlement Of
the Kansas trouble, Mr.. Buchanan we think,
would be the last man to thwart action hav
ing for its object consummation so devout-
ly to be wished.
That Mr. Douglas Interpretation of the
Kansas N ebraska act, is the true one, every
Democrat who has passed through the ex-
citing political contest of the past three years,
must feel. The same Interpretation has been
given from the stump in the columns of the
party press, and indorsed by the great remo
cratic masses throughout the country. The
doctrine advocated to-day is the same that
was contended for upon the day of the Mis-
souri, Compromise repeal. And while it has
been understood that slavery would be an
important issue in settling the domestic in
stitutions of the new States it has never
been doubted that the intent Of the Kansas
act was, that the people of that and all other
Territories, when asking admission into the
Union, should form Constitutions whose all
and every provision should lie submitted for
popular action.
With this state of facts, should there be
any surprise at Mr.. Douglas declarations
now, or any reason that misunderstanding
with the President should follow. The dec
trines enunciated in his speech, are sound to
the core, his position is impregnable, and
must and will be supported by the masses.
EE- There seems to be disposition on
the part of one or two Democratic papers