Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-02-05
80. policy of the Administration.

,vo corv the following letter of the Hon. j. CLANCY
W. oF 30 To Democratic meeting in Philadelphia
oon+oninC remarkably clear and forcble exposition
S tho no;cy of the Administration in reference to Kan
sas: ur....-..o,, hoo o6 1877
l,ontIonen have the honor to acknowledge the re-
;+ of vour invitation to attend meeting OF the De
ocracv of Philadelphia, to be held on Monday next
FIR the purpose of sustaining the message OF the Pre-
dent regret that my duties here compei me 10 lorego
tho nleasure would afford me to accept your invitation
bp message is one which has my hearty and cordial ap
oyoI The doctrine of popular sovereignty is now
ttad and integral part of the Democratic creed so,
also is its correlative that of nonnterventon by Con-
ps in the domestic affairs of the Territories AS
2 Government of law and order, the popular will Of
tbc Territory can only be known through its legal
representatives..
The mode and manner of conveying that will to the
Federal Government belongs exclusively to the people OF
the Territory If they direct that it shall be made known
only through the popular suffrage ratiyng Ine acS VI
their representatives it be received IN no other form
If they authorize their representatives to speak Tor them
without submission by partial SUBMISSION to their
Donuay vote it is alike binding for while, In each and
every case have no right to dictate suggest or IN
tprvenp consider it the highest attribute of popular
sovereignty to allow the people of Territory not only
to form and control their own domestic Institutions bat
10 do this in their 1cdy and not the dy that Con
press may suggest Kansas has done this The Presl-
dent has no legal knowledge of the popular will there eX-
to reject or disregard this it would not only nuy the
acts popular sovereignty communicated to HIM through
legitimate channels but it would be Intervention with
high hand and an Executive usurpation far more od0us
than Congressional The new doctrine that the popular
will cannot be made known through its own chosen
agents. if it be their will to do, is an abridgment OF
overegnty-a limitation Of the power of the people, i'm
posed on them by Congress, which assumes without con-
tuonal authority, to exercise it. 1t is setting up
higher law than the Constitution nasmuch as 1t abro
gates the whole system of representative government
recognize in the people of Kansas, when they are
sufficiently numerous, the absolute right IN the exercise
of sovereign power to settle their domestic institutions
and recognize it of the highest attributes of that
sovereignty that they may choose their own Gy their
own mode and If the Executive or congress
dictate the manner, or compel them 10 seect par
cuar mode other than that OF their own choosing then
popular sovereignty farce. If the agents abuse the
trust, to whom they responsible? 10 the people, Il
they are soveregn-to Congress- if the people are not
sovereign If the Constitution of Kansas is not accept
able to the people of Kansas it for them to change
it popular sovereignty comedies them that right But
Congress attempts to change it, congressional sover
eighty supersedes popular sovereignty and the battle OF
1856 has been fought in vain have regard for the
IecOmpton Convention Constitution except so far as
is the manifestation of the will of sovereign people
made known through their agents. 1t is because
am bound to regard this Constitution the act of the
people, and not of the Convention that l accept it.
acknowledge the right of the people to abrogate alte
or amend this Constitution. deny that right to tn
Executive or Congress With these views, my sympa
thies and feelings with you. Very truly yours,
j. CLANCY JONES.