Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1858-02-05

give our readers an insight into the views
of the Administration upon the vexed
question of Kansas affairs, as expressed
in the Presidents special message to Con-
gress, enclosing the Lccompton Consti-
tuition. We ask for it careful reading ::
eve lay before the readers of the
Union this morning the extraordinary
message of the President on the subject
of affairs in Kansas. Before abiding to
the character of this State paper, it will
not be regarded as out of place to OBJ
serve that on no occasion heretofore has
public message been submitted to Con-
gress under circumstances of more pro
found interest than the present. The
union of the States signifies something
more than the existence of political
tie binding them together upon basis
OF common governmental interests. 1t
is something besides mere partnership
in profits and losses-a mere rule bv
which we agree to divide advantages and
calculate disadvantages We have a
history crowded, it ma .je, into the mar
row period of three quarters of centu-
ry, but it is a history full of noble ira
ditions, patriotic self-sacrifces, and indi-
vidual nIartyrdom. 1t is history of the
progress of portion of the human fam
lily which has no parallel elsewhere. 1t
is history of free government, exhibit
ing to the world the adaptation of its in
stitutions to the highest welfare of the
human family. Under it we have wit
messed the triumph of labor and its full
recognition as an element of power in
the State. We have established an equal
ity of political, social, and Industrial
rights, and under their influence have
accomplished more in the short day of
our existence for the benefit of maukipd
than the rest of the world combine n
is manifest, then, that our conn 4 Gov
crnment should be the objecti q snpr cnle
affection, and all its affairs conducted III
on the basis Of an enlarged patriotism
capable Of overcoming every minor diff
Guilty, and of strengthening, as we ad-
vance step by step, the devotion of the
people to its life and uses.
1t IS impossible to disguise from the
most ordinary observer that upon the
question Of Kansas VIC have permitted
-'4tesfsning men 20 raFse~ap ailsc issues
with the sole view Of distracting our
councils and dividing our people. An
effort reaching back more than thirty-fve
years has been made to produce essential
and irreconcilable divisions between the
North and the South. The direction by
Congress to organize territorial govern
ment for Kansas was seized upon as a
football for agitators and disunionists.-
Against the proposition was therefore
arrayed the whole force of anti-slavery
throughout the free States. 1t was de-
nounced as a plan to propagate the insti-
tuiions of the South in that Territory.
Many of the republicans regarded re-
bellion against slavery as justifablc, and
demanded by considerations of individual
duty Such, indeed, was the controlling
sentiment of the abolitionists, by whom
Kansas was colonizcd Meanwhile its
territorial government was established.
1t was met by the rebellious government
Of Topeka. The two systems antagon-
lied, and each demanded allegiance the
former established by the full authority
of Congress the latter basing its right
to control on the assumption that its adj
herents were the majority. Such was the
issue presented to Mr.. Buchanan when
nc assumed the duties of the Presidency.
Is there a man Of sense in this whole
country who can fail to see what course,
under the circumstances, the President
would pursue? Could he recognize the
Topeka government, which had only a
-AoifiRal existence, but which sought and
threatened the overthrow of the govern
mcnt established by previous legislation
and executive action? Was he to sane
ton what Mr. Walker subsequently, de-
nominated :" the spirit of rebellion, +"
which he said "pcrvadcs the republican
party of the Territory p Was he TO
become party to what the same author
ity dchominatcd organized insurrec-
ton y No. He maintained the laws
and Jurisdiction of the United States. -
lie recognised the government establish
ed by his predecessors. lie invoked the
most eminent talent and patriotism to
subdue by peaceful means the parties
who had set up to overthrow and degrade
that government. He called upon the
people to exercise the high duties of citi-
zenship by voting at elections. He told
them that their rebellion was doubly mi
quitous, in this, that they had raised up
a mock system in opposition TO the laws