Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1858-02-11

Of the Territorial Legislature the Monday in Jan.
uary ON the LecomptOn Constitution This election was
held aser the Territory had been prepared for admission
INTO the Union sovereign State when no athori-
existed ~ the territorial Legislature, which could
fhe election, which was peacefully conducted under INV
instructons, involved strange inconsistency large
majority of the persons who voted against the Lecomp
ton Constitution, at the time and place
Dzing its valid existence in the most solemn and auth
tic manner 10y voting under its provisions have as
yet received no oncal information of the result of this
election.
Asa question of expediency after the right has been
maintained 1t may be wise to reflect upon the benefits to
Kansas and TO the whole Union as web as the disasters
wcf may follow its rejection. Domestic peace will be
we happy consequence of it's admission and that fine
Ierrtory hitherto torn by dissensons, will rapidly in
crease In population and wealth. and speedily realize the
blessings and comforts which follow agricultural and me-
chanleai industry The people then will be sovereign
ana can regulate their own affairs In their own way If
the majority OF them desire TO abolish domestic slavery
within the State, there 10 other possible mode by
when y can 6e effected 80 speedily as by its prompt
admission The will of the majority supreme and ire
sistabe, when expressed orderly and in lawful manner
IL can unmake Constitutions at pleasure 1t would be
absurd TO they impose upon their own
power which they cannot afterwards remove. If they
could do this they might tie their hands for hund
red as Tor ten years. These the mdament al princ
pies OF American freedom, and recognized in form
BY every State Constitution and if Congress in the
OF admission should think proper to recognize them
perceive no objection. This has been done emphaticaly
IN the Constitution OF Kansas. 1t declares i'll the Bill Of
Rights that 'a political power is inherent in the people
and all free governments founded their authority
and nsttueu for their benefit and therefore, they have
at all times the inalenabe and indefeaSie right alter
reform or abolish their form of government in such
manner they may think proper The great State of
New ork Is at this moment governed under consttu
ton framed in direct opposition to the mode prescribed
by the previous Constitution. IT, tn erefOre the proy
SION changing Che Kansas Constitution after the year
1884 could by any possibility be construed into the pro-
hbtion to make such change previous the period of
prohibition, it would he wholly unavaing. The Legis
atnre already elected may its first session submit the
question to the vote of the people, whether they will
not have Convention to amend their Constitution and
adopt all necessary for giving effect the popular
will. =
It has been soemny adjudged by te highest Judicial
tribunal that slavery exists i'll Kansas by virtue of the
Constitution of the United States Kansas is therefore,
at this moment as much slave State as Georgia or
South Carolina. Without this the equality of the
elgn States composing the Union would be violated and
the use and enjoyment of territory acquired by the
mon treasure OF all the States would be closed against
the people and property Of nearly half the members of
the Conedecy Slavery therefore never be prohibit
ed IN KANSAS except by means OF Constitutional pro-
vision and III other this be obtained so
promptly If the majority of the people desire it, by
admitting l. into the Cuion under the present Const
ton.
On the other hand should Congress reject the Consi
tuition, under Inc idea of aiordng the disafectcd in
Kansas; thlrd opportunity to prohibit slavery in
State which they night have done twice before if in the
majority, forctell the consequences If Con
gresS Tor The sake OF those who refuse to vote for
delegates to the Convention when they might have eX
cludcd slavery from the Constitution and who erward
refuse the 2lst December when they might as they
claim, have stricken slavery from the Constitution
should now ec State, because slavery remains in its
Constitution it is manifest that the ag alton upon this
important subject viii be renewed in u more alarming
form that it has assumed.
Every patriot in the country had INDUCED the 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 convused the country and
dangered the Union This involved great and funda
mental principles and if fairly carried into effect will
settle the question Should the agitation he again revy
ed should the people Of the sister States be again
trdnged from each other with than former bitter
ness .hs viii arise from cause, tar the Interests
OF Kansas concerned, trihng and Insignificant
than has stirred the elements Of great people into
commotiOn. To the people Kansas the only practical
difference between their admission rejection, depends
simply upon the fact whether they themselves
speedily change the present Constitution, if it does not
accord with the VIII OF the majority, frame second
Constitution u he submitted to Congress hereafter
Even if this question of mere eXpediency and not
of right the small difference of time way the 9th
Is not OF the least Importance when cantrascd with
the evils which must necessarily result TO the whole
try from the renewal of the slavery citation. In COnsd
ering this question: it should be forgotten that in
proportion to its sgncance let the decision be what it
may. far As it may effect the few thousand inhabitants
OF Kansas who have from the beginning, resisted the Con
Sttton and the laws for this very reason the rejection
the people OF fourteen States of the Union where slavery
is recognized ander the Constitution Of the United State.
Again, the speedy admission OF Kansas into tie Union.
would restore peace and quiet to the whole country
Already the aflirs of the Territory have engrossed
undue proportion of the public attention, have sadly af
fectcd the friendly relations OF the States with each other
and alarmed the fears Of patriots for the safety of the
Union Kansas admitted, the excitement becomes
localized and will die away for want OF outside ali
ment then every difficulty would be settled at the bal
lot box. Besides-Ind thi is no tritng consideration
shall then be enabled to withdraw the troops from
Kansas and employ them in service where they
much needed They have been kept there the earnest
Importantly of Governor Walker to maintain the eN>
of the Territorial Government and the
cution of the laws He considered at least two thousand
troops under the command o! General Hrncy necessary
Acting upon his reliable information, have been obliged
in degree interfere with the expedition H. Utah
order keep down the rebellion in Kansas which has
involved very heavy expense to the Government
Kansas admitted is believed there will longer
be any occasion there for the troops OF the United Ste
have thus performed my dIty this important ques
ton under deep OF my responsibility to God and
my country Ny public life will terminate within brie
period and have other object OF earthly ambition
than leave my country in peaceful, prosperous
don. and live in the affections and respect Of my
trymen.
The dark and ominons cloHiS impending over the
Union. conscentiously believe will he di,spated with
honor every portion OF it, by the admission Of kaS
during the present session oi Congress whereas if il
should be rejected greatly fear that these clouds will
be darker and more olnnous than any that have ever
yet threatened the Constitution and the Union.
... JAMES BUCHANAN.