Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-01-01


Wharton aud e. w Csrrigan; and able LISTERS read
from Messrs. Ca.s, Cobb, Floyd, Toucey Thompaon
Brown aud Black of the Cabinet Senator Bgler,
hessrs. j. Clancy Jones, Il. N. Phillips, T. b. Flo
renee and Richard Rush.
| The following excellent preamble and resolutions
which had been submitted early in the evening, were
| adopted by acclamation
PREAMBLE AND REsoLurfoSs.
Whereas, The measures and principles Of the Ad
ministration of President Buchanan az thus far de-
velOped in relation 10 the affairs ni Kansas, have
been the subject OF the bitter denuncation OF po
itica opponents who in their uuwss Zeal willing
to destroy the harmony Of hsUnon, by raising fase
| ISSUES before tho people; and -
Whereas II IL the determination Of the Democratic
party to adhere firmly TO thn.. we'll e.shli-he! laad-
marks. which iu time of sectional conflict and great
political excitement, have proved TO be the only secu
ry to the political institutions of this vnst and PROF.
| porous nation, and
Whereas. The conduct OF partsans has renewed the
occasion when it becomes necessary in public man
ner, TO declare continuous confidence in the car.
dina doctrines of independent State sovereignty and
| Constitutional liberty, as applicable to the manage
ment OF the Territories of the United States, and
their admission into the Union States; therefore,
| be it
Resolved, That the Democracy of Philsdclphis,
with signal unsumity, cordially iudorse, approve,
and do and will support the Administration of Presi-
| dent Buchanan.
That in hi. first Message we recognize the language
| Of The patriot. That this language euuncia.es the
principles of the National Democratic Party, and
justifes the confidence which the people have placed
| n him.
That We are perfectly satisfied that President Buc
hanan has not aud can have no other DESIRE in trs
discharge of the functions of his high office, than to
advance the true interests, honor and dignity OF the
! Uuion-that his abilities have been proved 10 be OF
the most distinguished order his character emnently
! conservative, and his councils wise; aud we believe
the people Of the country in every part of it, canuot
commit mistake in rallying around such man and
sustaining him in hs efforts 10 settle all existing dif.
! cutes III which the country may be involved,
| whether foreign or domestic. Therefore be it:
Resolved, That the Government Of the United
States is a Government of delegated powers that
within the limits of its functions it Ia the supreme
the sovereign power of the land aud the idea that
this supreme power be properly overruled in ts ex
ercise either by thos5 from whom II is delegated, or
those for whose government such power may be eXer'
ciseds beresy dangerous 10 the psrpetuity OF civil III
stitution, aud constitutional liberty and tends 10 create
confusion and anarchy iu any condition OF organized
society.
Resolved That while it ia true fhaI The Govern
ment of the United States ia within the limits of ts
constitutional functions the sovereign power oil the
land, it ia equally true that in all matters not lna
ded within the grant of power to the Federal Govern
ment the right OF absolute sovereignty is reserved to
the States respectively and the people thereof and
that any interference on the part Of the General Coy
|
dent and dangerous, and should be and is discounte.
+ nanced by the Democratic party as no less viola
tiou of the reserved rights Of the States as would be
the attempt ou the part Of any of the States or the
people thereof except in due form Of law to inter
ferfere with the rghtfnl exercise Of the powers ex
pressly granted to the General Government.
Resolved, Thst In the application Of the principles
contained in the foregoing resolutions the Demucra
cy Of the city Of Philadelphia responding To the Ma
, tiopsl Democracy of every State 10 the Union, de.
| EOnprp5p
recy to interfere with The local institutions of the
several Staes and that in all matters not within the
powers delegated by the C0nsti'urou, the States are
the only Judges of their own affairs But i'll the Ter.
ritores Of the United States, which belong alike ~
the people Of every State aud section OF ths Union
the sovereign power, far as delegated at all, ls
vested in Congress. This power should, hnwever,
be exercised with strct regard to al the rights
served to the States, and in exercising this sovereign
power il Is incumbent upon Congress to proect with
10 the Territories all therights of property, personal
security and personal liberty which the citizens IRON
the various sections Of the country locating IN the
Territories enjoyed within the States from which they
respectively eingraed and this duty should be pro-
perly discharged up to the time when, under Con
suton duly framed, such Territory shalI by Con
gress be recognized as an independent State.
I Resolved, That The Territorial I.egi'"'1-e ol Kan
sas which authorized the election OF the Lecnmpton
Convention, was lawful Legislature winch, 10 Ev
ing authority to said Convention to frame Constu
ton clearly acted within tue scope of its powers
That the fact that the Legislature did not require said
Convention to submit the Constitution TO vote o
the people, does not effect its legality That neither
said Legislature nor the Convention which Framed
the Constitutions having deemed texpedien save II
respect TO the institution of Slavery TO submit said
Constitution to direct popular vote, il unquestion
ably the duty of the President, when such Constitu
ton shall be sent by the Convention to Congres;
through the hands OF the Executive respectfully t(
receive and to transmit the to Congress and
said Constitution, in the opinion OF Congress, sbal
meet the requirements Of the Federal Constitution, i
will be the duty of Congress to respond TO The wishes
of the people Of Kansas, thus legally expressed
through their chosen agents. by admitting hahsa
into the Union.
, Resolved That il the settlement Of Kansas hat
been effected according to the usual principles OF eini
grafton to the Territories the question OF slavery
would have been peacefully determined BY tue peo
ple Instead of this large sums have been raised nu
of the Territory, with which enigrant aid societies
and others have been employed in forcing its settle
ment with view to this question. The consequence
has been that the opponents of law snd order have
from the beginning been i'll state Of rebellion agans
the Territorial Government established by Congress
y requiring the Government OF the United States tC
keen large military force in Kansas TO maintain The
Territorial Government in existence against thos,
who oppose the lawful authority Of the United States
and af the Territory.
I Resolved That the great doctrine Of popular sove
rsignty, which is the foundation of all our istu
tons can be carried into effect only through the me
dium Of representatives of the people in an organized
Government.
That in conformity with this principle, the Legs
ative Assembly of Kansas passed fair law Tor tht
election of deegatet to Convention to frame Con
sitution and State Government, preparatory Ia ad
mission as State into the Uuon; that the violatur
of law who had constantly refused to submit to Ter
rtorsl Government opposed it, and did not vote a
ths election. A fair opportunity, however, for such
purpose having been presented they have no right IL
complain.
Resolved, In the language OF the Presidents Mes
sage "that Kansas has for some years occupied toe
| off iha [
should be directed to far more important Objects
When once admitted into the Union, whether with ol
: without slavery, the excitement beyond her OWL
limits will speedily pass away as she will then for the
fret time be left shs ought to have been long since
TO manage her own affairs in her own way
: Resolved That the question now raised in rela
ton to the action OF the lawful authorities IN kantas
is the same old question recurring in new form be-
tween the Democratic party and their Black Repub
lican opponents. 1t is the same pary Issue modified
: which was raised against the Compromise Measure:
of 1851, and against The Kansas Nebraska bill o
1851 At present it assumes the shape OF preventing
the admission Of Kansas into The States under the
provisions Of the Kansas bill. Astation is the only
political weapon of those who have heretofore and
, still oppose the operation Of thatlaw Poltics! pow
er is their object, and in order TO attain II they are
willing to hazard the peace aud security of the Union
for the sake of thousand men, in Kansas who have
been in constan. resistance to the Constitution and
the laws.
Resolved, Ths: It is manifest, had any Constitu
ton which the ingenuity OF mau could have devised
even the Topeka Consiuton-been presented to the
Black Republican Party by the Lscompton Ccnven
tion that party would have voted against it, because
it is their object not to sete the question: preierrinR
to destroy the interests Of the Territory for the pur
pose of Keeping up agitation the slavery question
throughout the States of the Union until the nex
Presidential election.
Resolved. That while we recognize in the fullest
extent the right Of the peops Of Territory, when
duly qualified to make Constitution. TO submitt tc
vote OF the people, yet the people of Kansas not
having seen fit 80 to submit the whole Constitution
there has been practically any division of sentiment
We hold it 10 be the duty of all conservative men 10
attend the polls and for agains, Slavery, and
nothing but spirit of disorgsnization and rebellion
can encourage them in doing otherw lse. And above
an do ,r Iasrs To nrpa nnn all good memhnrs Of the