Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1858-11-11

that would justify such an assertion. I
there was such clause, why did not Judg
Douglas and his friends vote for it? VIII,
did not the Black Republicans, and all Wit
voted for the Critterden substitute, which
submitted the Constitution, vote for the bill
1t was the very point they made. Yet to I
man they voted against it. That, l think
should be conclusive.
But then it is said, it was virtual sub
mission of the Constitution to the people
because if they refused to ratify the modified
Land Ordinance, the admission of Kansa:
under the Leccmpton Constitution was de-
feated. Well the facts are so. I cannot
and do not deny them. But I should like to
know how that could by any possibility be
avoided or remedied. Suppose Congress had
admitted Kansas without modifying any
thing, yielding even 10 her enormous GLAND
grab," which embraced many more acres
than there are in all South Carolina-1
should like to know if the Lecompton Con-
stitution would not still have been submitted
to the people as virtually as it was by the
English Bill that is--not submitted at all
but left with them; an inevitable necessi-
ty. Congress could do no moreno less,
40 other way. The Constitution belonged
10 the people of Kansas. Congress could
not withhold it from them moment; nor
could it make them organize under it-as.
semble their Legislature, assume the posi-
ton of State, and send Senators and Rep
resentstives to Congress against their own
will? Can Congress coerce State into the
Union? Then Congress can coercc State
to remain in the Union, or drive State out
of it, Congress is omnipotcnt. But where
are then the rights of the States? Fortu-
nately for us, the Constitution of every State
ard of every Territory asking to be State,
is not only virtually, but actually in the
hands of its people at all times and under
all circumstances, and they cannot be direst-
ed of that control without the utter destruc-
ton of our Constitution and an entire revo-
luton. The whole power of Congress in
the premises is exhausted when it accepts
the Constitution without condition.
There are some who 60 still further and
assert that although there might be no way
to avoid submission of the Lecompton Con-
stitution to the control of the people Of Kan
sas, yet the Conference Bill was a compro-
mise of principle, inasmuch as it specifically
required them to act, and it made for them
the definite opportunity to defeat the Con-
stitution, as we'll as the ordinance. Now
this is true as a fact yet the inference is ab-
surd upon its very face IF Congress could
not take the Lecompton Constitution out of
the hands of the people of Kansas, what
difference dill it make whether they voted
on the ordinance in August under the diree'
ton of Congress, or any other time, whether
fixed by Congress or themselves. August
was agreed upon, for it was very we'll to set
a time andlet things end. But from August
to August again and forever, this Constltu
tiou was in the hands of the people of Kansas
and they could do with it whatthey pleased.
True, Congress might have avoided that
specific occasion and August vote, by swal-
lowing the Land Ordinance and all, and
asking no security for The remainder OF the
public lands. But still Kansas could have
refused to organize as State, and no power
under our Constitution could have interfered.
1t is all words and nothing more. Congress
was charged with bribing Kansas to become
a slave State. But the bribe was by the
Conference Bill four millions Of acres Of land,
instead of twepty.three millions. If we
had given her the whole twenty.three mil
lions for her useless slavery clause, there
might have been some ground for the charge
Yet it would have been of no avail, for
Kansas could under no bribe or coercion
known to our Government have been COM
pelled to accept the Constitution, or Ordi-
nance, or become State against her will at
any period whatever. I will not presume
that any one is less pro6cieutin constitution
al lore, or is less conversant with the history
of Congressional proceedings in the admis.
sion of new States than myself. But will
say that I am incapable of comprehending
them at all, if in this Conference Bill there
was any "compromise" of Southern princl'
Piles or interests; any concession whatever
by the South any departure from the strict
est construction of the Constitution or any
material deviation from the usual practice
of the Government
The people of Kansas have By an over
whelming majority rejected the Land Ordi.
nance, as modified BY Congress, and refused
to come into the Union on such terms. BE
it so. 1t is what suspected-what rather
desired. 1t sorts precisely with what fell
when I saw Kansas thrust herself into Con
gress, and demanded-reeking with blood
and fraud-to be enrolled among the States
Let her stay out. lam opposed to her com
ing in before she has the requisite popula
ton, not because she will be free State
but because T. fully approved of the prohib
itory clause of the Conference Bill, and fo1
that reason voted against the admission O.
Oregon. Unless in exceptional cases-suct
as that of Kansas was last winter--l do no
think that State should be admitted with
less population than would entitle her to {
member of the House. Itis not just to th'
other States, and is not consonant with tht
theory of our Government.
But I will not detain you longer with wha
belongs to the past. The present and th'
f,,,ro oro ubot ooncarns ns most You desir,