The Nevada Democrat., 1858-01-27
NEVADA DEMOCRAT.
NEVADA, WEDNESDAY, JAN. 27, 1858.
Popular Sovereignty.


Those who advocate tho immediate admission
Of Kansas, under the LscOmpton Consultation,
profess to do 20 IS o matter Of expedisncy
and policy, net because theyaapprove the course
Of the Conveation which framed the Constitu-
ton. Many doubtless honestly believe that II
the Territory was erected into State, the Kan
sas question would at once be localized, and
thereafter cease to bs bone Of contention in
national politics. 1t is immaterial to them
whether the people Of Kansas approve or diaap-
prove the Constitution, IL they but get rid OF
troublesome question. they are ready to force
il upon them, and in doing 30 they would vio-
late the great principle Of popular sovereignty
embraced in the Kansas ebraska act. II should
be the first duty Of Congress, on admitting
Territory into the Union as State, to ascertain
whether the Constitution presented has been
approved by majority Of the people who are
to be affected by it. The theory that the will
Of the people is fairly represented by the Con-
yention of delegates, cannot with any propriety
be applied to the delegates who framed the
Lecompton Constitution. Less than seventeen
hundred votes we're cast at the election Of dele
xates to that Convention, which is little more
than one-tenth Of the legal voters OF Kansas
II Ia contended, however, that fair opportuni-
ty was given to oil the bona fde citizens OF the
Territory to vote for delegates, but that from
q spirit of facticusne~ many would not avail
themselves of their undoubted right, This is
true to A certain extent. There is no doubt
that large number Of legal voters voluntarily
absentsd themselves from the polls, who had
every opportunity afforded them of voting had
they been disposed They. at least, have no
right TO complain. But we learn from the let
ter Of resignation Of Gov. Walker, that nearly
half of the counties in Kansas were disfranchis-
ed through no fault Of their own. Kansas it
seems, is divided into thirty-four counties, the
Sheriffs and other officers of which, were ap-
pointed by the Territorial Legislature. Inc
act of the Legislature calling the Convention,
REQUIRED the Sherns to take the census OF the
several counties. and make out register OF oil
who we're entitled to vote for delegates In
nineteen Of the counties no census whatever
was taken and in fifteen counties no register
was made Of the names Of the voters; the OIL
GERS alleging IS On excuse, that they had not
the means Of taking the census, and that the
Legislature had made no proviion to pay them
for their services. The fifteen counties In which
the vsters were net registered were entirely
disiranchised; and wherever the people attempt
ed by subsequent census and register, to
remedy the neglect Of the Territorial cifcerS'
the delegates elected by them were excluded
from the convention. tits asserted that the
Sherifs who neglected their duties were parsl-
zans, and we're politically opposed to majority
Of the voters Of their respective counties, and
as the people of Kansas have never enjoyed the
privilege of electing their own local officers,
this charge may be we'll founded. But it is
inmaterial what their motives may have been'
or what excuse they may have given for neg
lecting their duties. the fact is patent, that the
voters in nearly half OF the counties were dis
franchised, and that through no fault or neglect
Of their own. To admit Kansas under such
circumstances, and thus force Constitution
upon the people, which large proportion OF
them had no hand in framing, and were deprv-
ed of the right through the neglect of the Ter
ritorial officers, would DO in direct conflict with
the principal Of popular sovereignty. as advoca-
ted by the Democratic party in the canvass Of
1856, aud as understood by the people.
Kansas had better be kept under Territorial
government sen ysars longer, rather than be
admitted under Constitution which her cisi-
zens do not approve. It matters not what their
objections may be to the Constitution; they
alone are competent to Judge Of the institutions
under which they are to live; and the only le-
gitimate way to ascertain their wishes is to have
their organic law submitted to direct vote OF
the people.