American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1858-03-11

teateu Oy tue OOVernOrs vote, ~ not BE-
ing anticipated in and contingency that the
opponents Of the Lscompton Constitution
would have msjority OF twD-thirds Ia
each branch of the LssislNture.A Hence it
must be apparent to all thai. 10 the event
that Kansas is admitted under the Lecomp-
on Constitution, a ny argument or propo-
sition founded on the idea that The
people of Kansas will have the opportunity
of changing the Constitution by peaceful
means through the -instrumentality cf the
Legislature must in all probability prove
detective end delusive. In the event that
the deed shall be consumaied. their only
alternative win be submission or revolution
Revolutions sfe sometimes peaceful and
bieodless. Constitutions and Governments
have been changed by revolution without
violence or bloodshed. but this is the case
only where the public sentiment in favor
Of the change is unanimous or approaches
SO closely TO unauimity as to be the case
in Kansas. the people will be able to reas-
sert their violated righth OF sslf-govern.
ment, and form a Constitution which will
embody our will, without violence or force
but if, in the psogress of the revolution,
they should meet with determined resist
ence. civil war oruncondilionsl submission
must be the inevital consequence. ,.
Do the history Of this Lecompton Con-
slitu;ion. the character and purpose cf the
men engaged in the movement. and the
means TO force it upon en- unwilling
people, furnish us assurance after they
have realized all their hopes by ma
king tie Constitution the fundamental law
Of the State, unalterable until after 1864,
and then only by s.twothrds vote, that
they will, on the day they come to power
under il. permit il TO be subverted and alb
rogated by a revolutionary movement,
when they will have acquired the right
under the Constitution Of the United
States TO demand Of the Pres ent the use
OF the Federal Army, to put down the
insurection. and protect the State against
domestic violence?" When this demand
shall bemade upon The President by the
"Legslature already elected at its very
first session" or by the Governor "when
the Legislature cannot de convened, Twill
he. not consider himself bound by his offlc-
ial oath. and in obedience to The Constilu-
ton Of the United States. 10 use the Fed !,
eral troops to protect the State against do
mestic violence, By putting down the rev
oluuon, and suppressing insurrecion and
maintaining heaulbority Of The Constilu
tion, untillhwfully changed in the maner
prescribed in the instrument? Or. if il
could be converted into judicial instead
of . political question, and brought before
the Supreme Court Of the United States
for adjudication, can any one doubt the de.
cision? Would not the Court be compel
led to decide that the Constitution, having
once become the fundamental law Of the
State, must be respected and obeyed as
such uutil changed or annuled IN pursu.
ance Of its own provisions? Would not
the Court be compelled 10 declare as an
invaluable and universal rule OF interpre
tation, that when a Constitution presc,ibes
one mode Of amendment il must be under
stood and construed as having thereby
preclu ded all other modes. and prohibited
all other means Of accomplishing the same
objectY Suppose the people Of Kansas
should attempt to change the Constitution
in mode and at time different from that
authorized in the present instrument, and
should proceed SO far as to adopt new
Constitution. and set up State Govern
meni under it by an overwhelming major
ity in antagonism to the Constitution and
State Government under which Kansas
was admitted into the Union which Of the
State Governments would the President
feel bound to recognize. and "protect
against domestic violence" when applied
TO in the maner provided in the Federal
Constitution? He would be compelled to
use the whole military power of the United
States, or so much Of it as shall be neces.
sary to put down rebellion, and protect the
State against domestic Violence, when
properly applied 10 for the purpose. Hence
the question will arise, au,l it is important
to know how ii 10 be decided, in the event
there shall be two State Governments in
Kansas in antagonism with each otEer--
The one organized under the Lecmpton
Constitution. and the other established by
the people in oposition TO the Lscompton
Consultation which will tho President
recognize as valid aud legimate, and which
will he denounce as a revolutionary Gov.
ernment, adhered "to with such treason.
able peiiinancy" as to make it his duty
uu1er the Constitution Of the United States
TO put down the insurrection and crush
out the rebellion without the Federal troops
Il is in important that this question shoald
be determined in order that the people Of
Kansas may know how they are to exer-
clse that great indefeasible right Of which
the President speaks when he says "they
can make and unmake Constitution al
pleasure" Does he mean that inalienable
right Of revolution to which every people
may resort, when their oppression i intol.
cradle. and submission is less evil than
resistance? Ifso, | fear th at the bright
anticipatlons Of the President would not
be fully realized when he imagines that
the speedy admission OF Kansas into the
Union under the Lecompton Constitution
"would restore peace and quiet to the
whole country, and enable him to with.
draw the troops Of the United States from
Kansas and employ on branches Of the seI>
vice where they are much needed"
IMPORTANT FROM KANSAS.
Sr. Louis. March 9.-The Republioan