Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-01-01

was the first thing to be done towards pacifica.
non But how was it to be effected Our
political opponents thought-and 1 suppose
are stiIi OF the same opinion-that the people
OF the United States, through their representa-
uVes In Congress, might decide it without con-
their theory, should be treated with utter con-
tempt. But the Democratic party determined
10 leave 1t with those who alone were directly
concerned In 1T. This latter doctrine was tri
umphantly sustained in Congress, at the polls.
and by the Judiciary. After that the General
dovernment could do no more than protect the
people OF Kansas in doing the work assigned
Them How they should do it, by what agents
or organs, was not prescribed; they were to do
IL I'm their own way'-by such representa-
tiyes rs they might see proper to choose.
but unfortunately the Abolition party had
become SO rancorous. that the olive branch was
offered them in vain. They insulted and bias
phemed the laws which left the matter to their
own decision: The regular authorities could
90 no more than give all fair chance of vo-
ung Inc Legislature first passed law sub
mitting the question of " Convention or no
convention to apopulnr vote. The next Le-
Slsiature afterwards in accordance with the
known wishes of the people, and by virtue of
their own rightful authority, enacted another
law for the election Of delegates to a Conven-
ton The delegates were chosen at a fair and
tiers. Whether the vote was large or small. it
Is not possible to deny the right of those who
were chosen. To say that a portion of the
electors, by ahsenting themselves from the
polls, could invalidate an election otherwise
legal and regular, is simply absurd.
The members of the Convention thus chosen
met at Lecompton, and then was raised the
alarm that the delegates, or some of them in.
tended TO make a slave Constitution in onposi-
ton to what they knew TO be the will Of the
people. While the President saw that he had
no right TO interfere between the pcople of
Kansas and their own representative, and
while he knew very we'll what was known to
every other lawyer and statesman in the coun
Try, that 1T was for the Convention to shane
the Constitution, and to decide ipon tbc form
OF It's su admission, he nevertheless expressed his
opinion freely, that in the circumstances of the
case, and with reference to that question of
slavery, the Constitution ought to be submit.
ted. 1t was submitted-so submitted that If
there was majority opposed to slavery, they
had nothing In the world to do but go 10 the
polls and say 80.
But the moment the Abolitiop;sts .ov ,bo
whole disposition of the slavery subject placed
IN their own hands, they abandoned apparent.
~ all their hostility to it. They will not con-
descend, not they, to vote on a uucs. ion so
trihing. The principle for which they were
willing TO drench the country in blood, has all
a' '0hoe pecome too Insignificant to be worth
ballot Something else in the organic law
never thought of before, and not specified even
now, has suddenly become SO important in
their eyes, that the slavery question may be
decided against them for ught thew care about
IL, unless this new and underlined and unex.
pressed grievance be redressed at the same
time- To me 1T seems perfectly clear that
conduct IKE this must be prompted either by
prejudice almost insane, or else by hypocrisy
fha .h &c
III the Convention has no legal au tbority to
make Convention without submitting the
Whole OF 1t to popular vote, then this COpsti-
tuuon ought to be treated as a nullity Rut
whosoever denies the general power of the
people to olothe their representatives with
full authority TO make a Consultation binding
on themselves and their constituents, knows
not whereof he afirms. All reason as we'll as
precedentis against him.
The power of the Lecompton Convention was
certainly not restricted, except on the subject
OF slavery. But if its members abused their
authority by fraudulently inserting any other
provision which they knew to be wrong or be-
heved to be disapproyed by their constituents,
and dishonesty refused to submit it then. il
should be regarded with the contempt due to a
cheat But where is the evidence of any such
fraud The Convention had no motive to
commit IT. They and their constituents did
not differ on the necessity Of having Consti-
tuition, nor on any but one subject embraced
within its provision. On every other subjec
the unanimity Of opinion was as perfect as it
ever was IN any Of those States where Cons,i
tuition was not submitted at ALL 1t is easy
enough to abuse these men, but fair minded
person will not accuse them without proof nor
suspect them in the absence of motive For
myself, think it was not unfair. certainly
not fraudulent for them to adjust all the un-
disputed points of thoir Government by the OK
ercise Of their delegated authority and to leave
the subject on which thcre was division, to q
fair vote Of the people.
The President seeing Constitution about to
be established for Kansas, by legal authority
what could he do! He might regret some
things that were dOne--he might disapproyo of
otbers-he might wish that i. had been differ
ent in many respects but still it was tho law
full work Of lawful body. Could he set it
asidei Could he order the election not TO be
held under it? Could he drive the people
away from tho polls? lie had no more power
to do any Of these things than be had to veto
an act Of the Pennsylvania Legislature.
Since then there was to be an election on the
direct question Of slavery, and an opportunity
given for q full show of hands, he expressed his
wish feryently and freely that all the people,
laying aside their animOsities and prejudiccs
should come to the polls and there peacefully
decide a,question which, as long as it remained
open, would produce nothing but excuses for
crime and rebellion. lie believed that de-
cision Of this question by n clean majority of
votes, would give peace and order to Kansas,
and with all his heart he wished her to enjoy
those blessings, even though she should pur-
chase them at the expense OF postponing the
adjustment of other points to future and more
.prOritious time. IL these sentiments have
caused the opposition TO abuse him, it cannot
be helped; if they have afflicted the conscience
of any homes, man, 1 am sorry--f any intclli
gent Democrat misunderstsnds them, an ap-
peal to his reason and judgment will soon set
him right. Of one thing l am sure: that
James Buchanan is the last public man in the
country who need fear the place which will be
assigned to him in the history of those proceed
ings; and this will be proved to the hearts
content Of all who live long enough to see the
accounts made up ..r 20 .s--. d,
am, with great respect, yours, Co. r
.. j. g. BLACK. -
To Geo. Pitt, Esq, and others, Committee.