Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1858-03-06
Daniel 8. Dickinson on Lecompton.

Hon. Daniel >. Dickinson to several
leading men in Washington City, we
lay before our readers and commend its
thorough perusal. 1t is not only a
strong common sense view of the late
Lecomptoa affair, but is, moreover,
sound democratic doctrine. We have
no good grounds to believe that Kan
sas will not be admitted with this same
constitution over which there has been
made such extravagant demonstrations.
Read the letter:
WILLARD's HOTEL,
WAsHINGroN, February 20, 1858.
GENTLEMEN II am honored with
your kind note Of this morning desir-
ing me to name an evening when |
can meet my Democratic friends of the
District, and others sojourning here,
and give expression to my opinions on
the great public questions of the day
! feeIingly appreciate the generous and
confiding spirit which suggested a
compliment SO gratifying and distin-
guished, and regret to add that, while
it would afford me the highest gratif-
cation to comply with your request,
the professional engagement which
brought me here has just been closed,
and other calls of kindred character at
home, compel me to leave the city.
Our country, blessed by a benefcent
Providence with all the elements cal
culated to render people prosperous
and happy, seems to be destined to be
convulsed by internal strife and distig
ured by domestic discord.
Of all the agitations which have dis
turbed our repose as people, and ar
rayed one section against another, |
have regarded, and still regard, the
Kansas question as the most artificial
and causeless, originating in a great
degree in bad intentions and worse &C.
tions.
For all present purposes l shall not
consider the ordinations and recrimi-
nations which have prevailed, not the
allegations of fraud, violence and trea-
son which have signalled its unhappy
history, but remark that the evils of
which the people complain originate
in their own bosom, and that as a peo-
pie they have generally held, and now
hold, full and ample remedy in their
own hands, and that those who refuse
to exercise one of the dearest privileges
and highest duties Of freemen-that Of
the elective franchise-may indulge
morbid grief, or cherish partizsn
spleen, but they should never be espe-
cial objects of sympathy. The people
Of this Union have interests, both for
eign and domestic, too mighty and d.
versified to bestow their time and en-
ergies and sympathy in considering the
details of local constitutions or the
fairness of territorial elections over
which they have no legitimate inhu-
ence or control. Had l been a men,
Der Of the Lecompton convention l
would have urged the submission of its
constitution as a whole, and in all its
parts, to the people for approval or
rejection.
But l am unable to perceive upon
what possible sound theory of non-iu-
Prevention either the president or Con-
gress can 60 behind constitution.
republican in form, and determine
whether people who might have
voted for delegates did SO vote. or
whether the delegates IN convention,
in neglecting to submit the details Of
the constitution to the people, obeyed
or disregarded the popular will !;
whether the constitution was wise or
unwise, slave or free. All these are
questions belonging exclusively to the
people of Kansas, at all times under
their complete control, and in which
the federal government cannot inter-
vene without disturbing the founda.
tons upon which the popular federative
edi6ce rests. If Congress may reject
. constitution because it, details were
mot submitted to the people of the
tefritory, it may in like manner, man.
dsst it, disapprobation because they
wsre II it may intervene to compel
aabuiaaion to the people, it may in
Sssvsee - pssvsnt : submission I: II Il
~ rq1eot ooastitution for the snla
sa9soas issstAssinss llAvssy, 4 may
49, wGi fa9RaTAa 8srsgs.slE
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