Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1858-02-26

lpcoplci and so soon rs they could lit their
voice, they protested against The Lecompion
Constitution.
Sixth--Those State officers who received
the largest number Of votes at tho election
on tho 4th Of January last, have likewise
sent their protest to Congress.
Sevcnth-The voice Of tho people Of
] Kansas itself should be heard On the 4th
of January they repaired to the polls under
no ordinary circumstances Of solemnity.-
The President had sanctioned the proceed
ings his special protection; tho Legislature
and Denver took care that the vote should
be an honest one, and by that vote it APP
pears that an overwhelming majority Of the
people Of Kansas reject the Constitution of
Lecomptou.
So then We have seven sets Of witnesses
against Lecompton: the circumsantal evil
dence Of the Lecompton Convention; the
Kansas press; the Kansas Delcgatesin Con-
gross; the series Of Kansas Governors-four
in one year; the Kansas Legislature; the
Kansas people. All, all declare that the
people Of Kansas reject the Lecompton
Constitution.
II could hope that the words of one so
humble as myself could reach the presence
of one so high as the President of the Uni
ted States, | would entreat him to lend his
ear reverently, and hear and respect the
voice of tho people of Kansas, however
owly they may seem in the log cabins and
homes that they have made for themselves
in the Wilderness. What they haye accom-
plished there, under unexampled trials and
difficulties, is the miracle of the age. A
commonwealth in all its fair proportions, has
grown up, as it were, in the night time.-
If the President Of the United States will
have peaceful Administration if he will,
by and by, have dignity in retirement; if
he will stand well with the world of man
kind; if like Washington ard all our great
Presidents, he wishes to stand well with pos
terity, lot him respect the will of tho peo-
pie Of Kansas.
1t is said that the whole affair is of little
consequence; that the wrong, if it be a
wrong, is small one. But there is in po-
litical justice no such thing as a small
wrong. A small wrong contains within it.
self the seeds of all evil.
1t is further said that the people were
factious, and as they meant at any rate to
reject the Lecompton Constitution, il was
not right to give them chance to do so.-
But if the Constitution for any reason did
not please them, they had right to reject
it; nothing is so factious as minority at
tempting to rule majority.
Itis said that they should DO punished
for not soing to the polls at the bidding of
men who were believed to be disposed to
defraud them. They went to the polls the
first moment that they were satisfied of any
chance of fair return, even though suffer-
ing under great disadvantage in the appor-
tionment of Representatives.
1t is said that the people of Kansas, once
admitted into the Union, may change their
constitution. If this is dishonesty said,
will not use the language which would prop
erly describe the proposition. If as it is
presumed, it is honestly said by the Presi-
dent then why give to the men of Kansas, a
reversionary right where they have n right
of possessionl Why do wrong, simply that
wrong may be undone? 1t this is all that
is intended, if there lies nothing behind this,
if there are no indications of wish to per-
plex the national councils, and so to pave
the way for change of the national policy
or for disunion, then mischief has been
done wantonly and gratuitously; the coun-
try is convulsed by its public authorities, for
an issue as ludicrous as it is wrong. 1t was
hardly worth the while to shatter tho Dem
ocratic party for anything so paltry. But
while it is admitted that the submission Of
Constitution to tho people is the correct
principle, it is said that fourteen States
would be displeased if this correct princi-
pie were to be followed out. Now the South,
in the organic act of Kansas, obtained all
that it asked for, and the main result has
been exactly what Southern men foresaw.
! Tho South has nothing whatever to gain by
tho adoption of the Lecompton Constitu-
ton. 1t presents no question of practical
advantage to the South, and it cannot be
pretended that tho admission of Kansas un-
der it will carry with it any advantage for
the South. As question on the score Of
expediency it does nothing but injury to
the South; the issue presented as South
ern one, is untimely and mistaken, unwise,
and anything but national.
And would it wound any at the South
less to have the people of Kansas, as soon
as the General Government is out Of the
way, undo all that has been done2 Is il
not more respectful to the South to state
the case manfully and temperatcly, and re
ly on Southern magnanimity and sense o
justice
II Again, it is said the Union is in danger
: the Union is to be dissolved. There is NJ
present danger to the Uaion. The suffer
ers of wrong in Kansas have been almos
, all Northern men; and the North has NJ
5 wish or desire to desert, or dissolve, or weak
en- the Union.
t But it is urged the men of Kansas are il
, rebellion. Tho imposition of loathsom
: and rejected Constitution is an odd remed,
! for pretended rebellion, which, as far as
: know; has no precedent, except in King
George and the British Parliamentin l774
) ff Gov. Walker found discontents there, tn
promises of equity which he made in tn
name OF the President quelled rebellion By
E means of tho ballot-box. The waves neye
r rise unless the wind blows. If the menae'
, Of tho Lecompton Constitution seems like
ly to excite disturbances, Governor Stanton
i to his honor be it said, luuod the rising
commotion, not by calling in the army
: the United States, but by peaceably con