The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1858-02-18

Money matters in England continued to
improve,
Much ado about Nothing.
The last Statesman was voluminous on the
the subject OF the Kansas resolutions of the
Legislature, al least we come to the conclu-
sion after wading through the two and quar-
ter columns that that was the main object, the
personal abuse Of the editor of this paper, oc-
cupying third or 30 cf the article. being per-
haps thrown in as seasoning, and to crafty
the malevolence Of the writer. If the whole
article had been OF the tenor of the conclu-
ding portion, we should have been relieved
from the trouble Of replying.
The ostensible cause of this long winded
effusion, was a few remarks in this paper week
before last, in part quoted by the Statesman,
in which we took occasion to allude to the in
consistency Of the minority ofthe Legislature,
who, while protesting to be opposed to the
Leconpton Constitution, at the same time, vo-
ted against resolutions expressing in substance
on the essential point, the views which they
to 60 into the balance against Kansas.
Il was that vote and the effect of that vote.
Of which we spoke, and we can really see no
reason, upon subsequent examination, assisted
by the voluminous commentary of the States
man, to change in the minutest particular the
views which we at first expressed.
What the comparative merits of the two sets
of resolutions may have been, is qaite imma-
terial, and has nothing to do with the prrticu-
tar question under discussion. The democrat
ic members of the Legislature did, to man,
vote against resolutions instructing onr Senators
and requesting our representatives to vote
against the Lecompton Constitution About
this it would seem that there could be no con-
troversy. Whether they would have prefer
red some other resolutions, or not, is another
and an entirely different question. They had
to vote upon these, and did vote upon them
precisely as we stated. They are on the rec
ord, md there they will remain to the end of
time, furnishing to coming generations a sig
nalillustration of the wide difference between
the professions and practice of Iowa democra-
cy.
1t is also equally true, if the telegraph can
be relied upon, that the effect of that vote was
precisely what we predicted 1T would be. 1t
has thrown the influence of the Democratic
party Of this State In favor of the Lecompton
swindle. Mr.. Jones so construes that vote,
and surely he knows. He refuses to obey the
instruc tons of the Legislature or to resign on
the ground that those resolutions do not reflect
the sentiments Of his party at home. and that
he has right TO believe that party to be favo-
able to the admission of Kansas into the Union
under the Lecompton Constitution. He viii.
accordingly SO vote.
For that vote and for its consequences, the
Democratic members of the Legislature who
cast it, are responsible. There is nothing in
the resolutions themselves which can excuse
them for voting against them or to which any
one sincerely opposed 10 the Lecompton Con-
stitution, can reasonably object. The sub
stance of them is the instruction to vote
against that instrument for the reason that it
was not submitted to fair vote of the people
of Kansas. There may have been other ga
sons; it is in fact stated that there are other rea-
sons. We can conceive of numerous other
reasons, and very good ones; but this one
alone is specified, and it is enough, although
there was NJ improperly in the suggestion
that, il it were necessary, many other and very
important reasons might be urged against this
high handed and infamous attempt to ride
rough shod over the rights of the people of
Kansa.
It was not, however, the wording of those
resolutions, which caused the futtering among
the democratic members Of the Legislature.
and called forth the leader in the Statesman
but it was in fact the difficult and dangerous
navigation of the Democratic ship in the ia
tricate channel running between the Scylla OF
Mr.. Douglas and the Charybds of Mr.. Bu-
chanan and his administration. They are be-
ginning to realize that the old ship, owing to
false and traitorous pilotage, is certain 10 be
wrecked on oAe or the other of these danger
Gus shores, they don't know which, and they
are Enthusiastically careful not to con mi
themselves, Lot knowing into whose hands
they may fall, or in other words, which fac
ton will win. It matters precious little which
in the general result we think
It is not the rights Of Kansas. but the
safety Of the Democratic party, which is cre-
ating all this commotion. Is It likely that af-
ter countenancing all the monstrous wrongs
which have been inflicted upon Kansas, these
Democrats would scrupIe to approve this last
act Of the drama, unless compelled by polit-
ical necessity to do 90? II this is not the case.
Il prevention of this nefarious undertaking be
the material point with them, Why are they
% critical about the use Of few words more
Or less2 II they were really alive to the
emergency, il they felt any degree OF in
aignafion. on account Of this irreparable
injury, this outrage Of forcing constitution