Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1858-02-18


parties, the Legislature and People ol Kan
sas, under their Con stitution, know how to
redress themselves and punish these de-
testable but too common crimes without out
side interference. ......-. .
The people of Kansas have, then, Gin
their own way" and in strict accordance
with the organic act, framed a Constitution
and State Government, have submitted the
all-important question of slavery to the peo-
Pile, and have elected Governor, member
Of Congress, members Of the State Legisla.
ture and other State officers; and they now
ask admission into the Union under this
Constitution, republican in its form. 1t is
for Congress to decide whether they will
admit or reject the State which has thus
been created.
For my own part, am decidedly in favor
Of is admission, and thus terminating the
Kansas question. This will carry out the
great principle Of intervention sanction
ed by the organic act, and which declares
in express language in favor Of the non-in-
tervention Of Congress with slavery in the
States and Territories, leaving the people
perfectly free to form and regulate their
domestic institutions in their own way, sub
ject only to the Constitution Of the United
States" In this manner, by localizing the
question Of slavery and confning it to the
people who are immediately concerned, ev-
cry patriot anxiously expected that this
question would be banished from the halls
of Congress, where it has always exerted
baneful influence throughout the country.
1t is proper that should refer to the e.
lection held under the act Of the Territorial
Legislature on the first Monday in Janua-
ry on the Lecompton Constitution. This
election was held after the Territory had
been prepared for admission into the Union
as a sovereign State, and when no authority
existed in the Territorial Legislature which
could possibly destroy its existence or change
its character. The election, which was
peaceably conducted under my instructions,
involved strange inconsistencies. A large
majority Of the persons who voted agains!
theLecompton Constitution were at the time
and place recognizing its valid existence in
the most solid and authentic manner by vo-
ting under its provisions. l have yet receiv.
ed no official information Of the result of this
election. ...
As question Of expediency, after right
has been maintained, it may be wise 10 re-
fleet upon the benefit to Kansas and the
whole country that will result from its i'm.
mediate admission into the Union, as wei
as the disasters that may follow its rejection
Domestic peace will be the happy conse.
quences Of the admission, and that fine Ter.
ritory, hitherto torn by dissentions, will
rapidly increase in population and wealth
and speedily realize the blessings and com
forts which follow agricultural and mechan.
ica industry. The people, then, will be
sovereign, and can regulate their affairs in
their own way. If the majority Of them de.
sire to abolish slavery within the State
there is no other possible mode by which ii
can be effected SO speedily as by its promp,
admission. ........-..
The will Of the majority is supreme and
irresistible, when expressed in an orderly
and lawful manner. 1t can unmaks Con.
stitutions at pleasure. 1t would be absurt
to say that they can impose fetters upor
their own power which they cannot after
wards remove. If they could do this, they
might tie their own hands just as well Tor q
hundred as for ten years. These are the
fundamental principles of American free,
dom, and are recognized in some form by
every State Constitution; and If Congress
in the act Of admission, should think proper
to recognize them, l can perceive no OBJ
lection.
This has been done emphatically in the
Constitution Of Kansas. 1t declares in its
bill of rights that "All political power is
inherent in the people" and all free Govern
ments are founded on their authority and
instituted for their benefit, and, therefore
have at all times an inalienable and indie.
feasible right to alter, reform and abolish
their form Of Governmsn. in such manner
as they may think proper. The great
State of New York is at this moment gov
erned under Constitution framed and es-
tablished in direct opposition to a mode
prescribed by previous Constitution. IT.
therefore, a provision changing the Cohsti-
tuition Of Kansas after the year 1864, could
by possibility be construed into prohibi-
tion to make such change previous to thai
period Of prohibition, it would be wholly
unavailing. The Legislature already snac.
ted may nj its FIRST sessinn submit ths