Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1858-03-05

contains within itself the seeds of all evil.
1t is further said that the people were fac
tious, and as they meant, at any rate, to reject
the Lecompton Constitution, it was right not
TO give them a chance to do go. But if
the Constitution for any reason did not please
them, shay had right to reject it !; nothing is
so faotious as a minority attempting 10 rule
majority.
It is said they should be punished for net
going to the polls at the bidding of men who
were believed 10 be disposed to defraud them.
They went TO the polls the first moment that
they were satisfied Of any chance Of a fair re-
turn, even though suffering under great disad-
yantages in the appoItonment of representa-
tlyes.
1t is said that the people Of Kansas, once
admitted into the Union, may change their Con-
stitution If this is dishonesty said, | will
not use the language which would properly de-
scribe the proposition. If, as it is to be pre-
ssurned, it is honestly said, aud am snre it is
honestly said BY the President, then why give
70 the men of Kansas leyersionary right
of possession Why do wrong, simply that
wrong may be undone! If this is ali that is
intended if there lies nothing behind this
if there are no indications of wish TO perplex
the national councils, and So to pave the way
for change of the national policy or for
disunion. then mischief has been done wan:ony
aud gratuitously the country is couvulsed by
its publi1 authorities, for issue as ludicrous
as il is wrong. 1t was hardly worth the while
70 shatter the Democratic party for anything SO
paltry. But while it is admitted that the sub
mission Of Constitution to the people is the
correct principle it is said that fourteen States
would be displeased if this correct principle
we're to be followed out. Now, the South, in
tho organic act for Kansas, obtained all that it
asked for, ana the main result has heen exactly
what Southern men foresaw. The South has
nothing whatevor TO gain by the adoption of the
Lecompton Constitution. 1t presents no ques-
tiou of praeticle advantage to the South, and it
cannot be pretended that the admission of Kan
sas under it will carry with it any advantage
for the South. As question the score of ex-
pediency it does nothing but injury 10 the
South; the issue, presented aS Southern one,
is untimely and mistaken, uuwise, aud anything
but national.
And would it wound any at toe South less
to have the people of Kansas, as soon as the
General Government is out of the way, undo
all that tas been done? Is it not more re-
spectful to the South to state the case man
fully and temperately, and rely on Southern
magnauimity and sense of justice
Again it is said the Union ia in danger
the Union is to be dissolved. There is no
present danger TO the Union. The sufferers Of
wrong in Kansas have been almost all Northern
men and the North has no wibh TO desert, OF
dissolve, or weaken the Union.
But it is urged the meu of Kansas are in
rebellion. The imposition of loAthsonie and
rejected Constitution is an odd remedy for pre-
tended rebellion, which, as far as | know, has
no precedent, except in King George and the
British Parliament in l774. 1t Governor
Walker found discontents there. the promises
of equity which he made in the name of the
President queIled rebellion by meanes of the
ballot-bux. The waves never rase Unless the
wind blows. Il the menace Of the Lecompion
Constitution seemed likely to excite dlsturban-
ees, Governor Stanton, to his honor be 1t said,
iulled the rising commotion, not by calling in
,be army of the United States but by peace
fully conyoking the legal Legislature Of the
Territory.
There is now no insurrection in Kansas ),
there is no rebellion there. Cease to dispute
the unquestionable right Of the majority, aud
the star Of peace will rise serenely, the storm
will be hushed, and the waves subside. The
Government will not fnd rebellion there ),
let it not provoke one.
And what contrast between Governor Of
Territory restoring peace through the repre-
sentatives of the people md an officer OF the
General Government, calling himself a Presi-
dent of a Convention, taking an escort from
the army Of the United States to make his en-
try into the capital Of Kansas amid the muI-
murs of its people.
IF, to the question between the Lscompton
Constitution and the people of Kansas, We sp-
ply the test of principle, we find that the en-
forcemert of that Constitution will be an act
OF power against right; of the army against
the people; of force against reason of u8uf-
Dation against the rightful will of the majority.
Il will be violation of the fundamental prin-
eiple of free government by consent. 1t Is di
rectly at war with Democracy, whose cardinal
point is the power of the people. The sup
porters of the Lecompton Constitution have
not one square inch OF Democratic ground to
stand upon A Constitution for It's validity
needs the concurrence of the majority Of the
people, either silently, by general acqul-
escence, or by an appeal to the polls. Snah
full and undoubted evidence be required tor
deed of foot of Land or a gift by will of a
shilling Shall merchant or banker have
power 10 stop payment OF check fraudulently
held, and shall the people have no power to
stop their servants from sequesterlng their
rights Shall the most Insignificant treaty OF
n Minister Plenipotenliary want validity uil it
is ratified And shall the highest treaty of
the people with themselves be made in corner
by their servants without their assenta Is
fern everything and substance nothing! Is
appearance everything, aud truth and right and
reality nothingl
There is not precedent for enfor,iug a
Constitution against the consent of the neonle