American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1858-03-11
Aati-LecomptOn Letter iom Hon. w. 8.
GrOesbeck---A Good Democrat.

GFNTLEAEH-A nave Just received your
note inviting me TO be present. on the 2d
Of March, "st meeting OF the Democrats
OF Hamilton county. who voted for Mr..
BuchsnaD, and who are committed to the
doctrine Of Popular Sovereignty in its IN.
tegriiy, opposed to forcing upon any pso.
pie Constitution against their known
and expressed will and. therefore oppos.
ed TO the Lecon pton Constitution.
My duties here will not allow me to be
with you, but take the occasion 70 say
am in sympathy with your meeting.
In the language Of your note. | am COM
mitted to the doctrine Of Popular Sove-
reigntp. and it is with me something more
than motto for transparency in polil-
cal procession. or at an evening meeting.
II is a sacred doctrine. not to be cheated or
outwitied, or overcome by illegal forms
and tochnicalilies. but always TO be guard
ed and preserved in its integrity.
With you / am opposed to forcing upon
any people Constitution against their
known and expressed will. have before
me the known and expressed viii Of the
people Of Kansas against the Lecompton
Constitution. II is the last expression Of
their will, made, not rebelliously, nor ir>
regularly. nor illegally. but under the
sanction and in pursuance Of Law of tue
law Of the Territorial Legislature; not only
so. but made fairly and peaceably, and on
the day when those who favored the Con
stitution were cut IN all their strength, and
II able, would have voted down the oppo-
sition.
| cannot understand why this is "a null.
ty. We are urged to accept tlis Constilu.
ton. as msjorily of the people can inn
mediate y set it aside, without any regard
to the time and mode Of amendment pre-.
rescrbed in it. II this be SO, fin opposi
ton to the Constitution itself, they can dc
this, bo Wis it they have no power over i
before il is adopted? If the msjority car
overturn living. binding Constitution, re-
gardless Of its provisions. it would seem
that The same ms jorily have some contro
over Constitution not yet vitalized, and
which, as yet, is but inchoate. and vests nc
rights.
In the case of Florida, her proposition tt
come inc the Union as State, vas pend
ing in Congress, think, seven years.
Will it be pretended. if her Territoria
Legislature has passed law to take thu
sense Of the people on the Constitution, a
any time during that period, and
large majority had in pursuance Of tb
law. directed that the Constitution be re
called with view 10 change il, that Con
, gress would treat such action as nullily
A Constitution for New Mexico has bee
before Congress about FIVE years. Canno
the people reconsider it. at any time befor
it is acted on BY Congress? The applica
tion of foreign State'or Territory TO b
admitted into the Union, may be regarde
as proposition to enter into compact
which, like any other proposition. may b
recalled at any time before it is accepted
In the case OF Kansas, however. tn
: large majority voted down this Cunstitu
tion. before it was brought to Congress.
: But | will not go into an argument now
/ may present my views upon the subjec
=. hereafter.
! There have been great irregularitie
heretofore. in the proceedings under whic
: Territories have preparedto to become States
a and in the absence Of an Enabling Ac
: there is no fixed rule 10 pursue. But thi
9 may be said of all the previous CASES.
There was satisfactory evidence Of the &C
T quiescence Of the people. Having this
Irregularities could bc overlooked. Now
+, for the first time in oar history. itissougt
to compel people to accept a Consti:u
. ton, which they have, not implicitly bu
! expressly and promptly rejected. This
8 not Democracy. rejoice to say ithas n
precedence in the past, and let us hope
Tor our country's sake, it may not becom
Q a precedent for the fnture.
Very respectfully.
i w. 8. GROESBECK.