M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1858-03-11
Hon. John A. COrwin on the Ad-
mission Of Kansas.

Hon. John A. CorwiR was recently
invited to address an Anti Lecompton
meeting at Mt. Vernon. lie replied
to the invitation in the following spi,
cy manner: ...
URBANA, Feb. 81.
GENTLEMEN; Your polite note Of
the 25th instant, inviting me to be
present at yOuy meeting Of the 9th
proximo, has been received, and in re.
| ply am compelled to say that it will
be impossible for me to attend.
am glad that my professional and
private engagements have thus far
kept me free from any participation in
the excitement which has been engen.
dered in regard to the admission of
Kansas into the Union.
The inhabitants of the Territory Of
Kansas have the conceded right to
establish their own institutions to
regulate them in their own way to
alter, amend or abolish them at their
own pleasure; and this right being
absolute, paramount, continuing, can.
not be taken away or impaired by any
representative assembly.
With this view Of popular soyer.
eighty, | am Of the opinion that the
Federal Legislature, the Legislature
Of the several States, and the people
Of the several States and Territories,
may, with great propriety, confne
their political action to the regulation
Of their own domestic concerns, and
so far observe principle, policy and
propriety, as to allow the differences
between the settlers OF Kansas to be
adjusted among themselves.
lfthe constitution they have adopt
ed by the representatives selected by
themselves, for that purpose, is re-
publican in its form, Congress has no
choice but to admit the young State
into the sisterhood, relying upon the
proposition which is elementary in a
representative Democracy, that the
evils in our legislation are to be rem.
edied by the acts Of future representa-
ton, selected with the improved expe-
rience Of society and with reference
to the increased and ever-changing
wants which our progress produces.
There is no limitation in a general
law which is not subject to modiica.
tion or repeal, and no governmental
regulation which the sovereignty may
not alter or abolish; and if the Kan.
sas Constitution is liable to any OBJ
lection, on the part Of the people who
live under it, it is their unquestionable
right at any time to correct that evil.
In any point Of view in which the
subject can De considered. think a
different course than that pursued by
the President would have been incon-
siStent with his high character as a
statesman and jurist, and in violation
of those cardinal principles of civil
liberty, the preservation Ofwhich is So
essential 10 our independence.
While | am thus constrained to
differ with you as to the object and
purposes Of your meeting, | sympa-
tLize with you fully in the "rectitude
Of intention" which prompts you to
watch carefully that no iproads are
made upon the great principle Of pop.
ular sovereignty, and most deeply re-
gret that, in your indulgence Of this
generous sentiment, you are obliged
to fiEd yourselves co-workers with
every element of opposition to the
great Democratic party of the United
States.
Within the whole range of my ac-
quaintance and observation, every
man who has ever opposed us, by
''tair means, or foul, is now found
cooperating with you, and especial
ly tender to each Of you my wishes
that you may not hereafter be com
pelled to exclaim, with Falstaf, "Vil-
lainous company hath been the ruin
of me-" For myself, must be ex-
cused for deyotipg my humble ener-
gies to the maintenance ofthe integri
ty and dignity ofthe Democratic party
and ofits organization-believihg as
fully do, that although errors may
intervene, which may be corrected in
due time, yet the happiness, welfare
and honor of our country will be best
protected, promoted and maintained