Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1858-02-13

vailing. The Legislature already elected
may at its first session, submit the ques-
ton to the vote of the people, whether they
will or not, have Convention to amend their
Constituiion,a and adopt all neces3ary means
for giving effect to the popular will.
1t has been solemnly adjudged By the
lists in Kansas, byvirtuc of the Constitution
OF the United States. Kansas Is therefore,
at this moment, rs much slave state as
Georgia or South Carolina. Without this,
the equality of the sovereign States compo-
eing the Union would be violated and he
use and enjoyment of territory acquired by
the common treasure of all the States,
would be closed agaiHst the peoplo and
property of learly half the members Of the
Confederacy. Slavery can therefore never
be prohibited in Kansas, except By means
Of q Constitutional provision, and in no
other manner can this be obtained so
promp ly, if the majority of the people de-
sire it, as by admitting it into the Union
under the present Constitution.
On tho other hand, should Congress
reject the Constitution, under the idea of
affording the disaffccted in Kansas third
opportunity to prohibit slavcryin State
which they might hayo done twice before
if in the majority, nc man can fHretcll the
consequences. II Congress, for the sake
Of those men who refused to vote for dele
gates to the Convention, when they might
have excluded slavery from the Constitution,
and who aferwird refused to vote on the
2lst of December, when they might as they
Il ~,
Constitution, should now reject State,
because slavery remains in its Constitution,
it is manifest that the agitation upot this
impor ant s1bect will bo renewed in a
more alarming form than it has ever as.
sumed.
Every patriot In tie country had in.
dulged thy hope that the Kansas Nebraska
act would put final end to the slavery
agitation, at least in Congress, which had
for more than twenty years oonvulsed the
county, ard endangered the Union, This
act Involved great and fundamental princi
pies, and if fairly carried into effect, will
settle the question. Should the agitation
be again revived Shotld the people of the
sister States be again ostranged from each
other with more than former bitterness,
this will arise from cause, so far as the
interests of Kansas are concerted; moro
triHiog and insignificant than has ever
stirred the elements of great people mo
commotion. To the people Of Kansas the
only practical ditlerence between their
admission or rejection, depends simply
upon the fact whether they can themselves
more speedily change the present Constitu-
tion. if it does net accord with the will Of
the majority, or frame second Cohs,itu-
ton to be submitted to Congress hereafter.
Even if this were a question of mere expe.
diency, and not of right, the small difference
Of time, one way or the other, is no. of the
least importance when cDptrasted with the
evils which must Iecessarily result to the
whole country from the renewal of the
slavery agitation. In considering this
question, it should never be forgotten that
in proportion to its iusignifcance, let tho
decision be what it may, so far may affect
the few thousands Inhabitants of Kansas
who have, from the beginning, resisted the
Constitution ard the laws, for this very
reason Of the rejection of the Constitution
will be so much more keenly felt by the
, people of fourteen States of the Union
where slavery IS recognized under the
Constitution of the United Sites. Again,
the speedy admission of Kansas iuo the
Union, Hopld rest re peace and quiet to
} the Territory have engrossed au undue
, proportion, Of the public attention, have
sadly affected the friendly relations to the
people of the States with each other, aud
CHARMED the fears of patriots for the safety
of the Union. Kansas once admitted, the
) excitement becone localized and will soon
, die away for want of outside alimeut; then
Y every difficulty would be settled at tho
: ballot box. Bcsides-and this is no
C trifling consideration-we shall then be
: enabled to Withdraw the troops from Kan
c sas aud employ them in service where they
n are much needed. They have been kept
:. there on the earnest Importantly of Gov
h ernor Walker to maintain the existence of
s the Territorial Government and secure the
e execution of the laws. He considered at
: least two thousand troops under the com.
/ mand of Gen, Harvey necessary Acting
= upon his reliable information, | have been
l. obliged, IN some degree, to interfere with
d the expedition to Utah in order to keep
5 down the rebellion in Kansas, which has
1t involved very heavy expense to the
S, Government. Kansas once admi ted, it is
l. believed there will no longer be any ocoa,
: sion there for the troops of the United
!, States.
e have thus performed my duty on this
It important question, under a deep sense
= of my responsibility to God and to my
4. country. My public life will terminate
10 within brief period, and have no other
10 object of earthly ambition than to leave
is my country in peaceful, prosperou:
v condition, and live in the affections anC
y respect of my countrymen.
E. The dark and omuous clouds now i'm
le pending over the Union, conscientiously )
,r believe, will be dissipa,ed with honor tt
ii every portion of it, by the admission o.
le Kansas during the present session of Con
ut gress, whereas if it should be rejected,
| a, II,o1 Il, Il