Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1858-04-15

the platform-indeed we might say, the
|features-upon which the Republican
party was organized, was an unqualified
opposition to slavery, the non-admission'
|of any more slave States, and the power
|of Congress to legislate for the terrific
|ries.
This was the sum AMI substance ofthe
Philadelphia Platform adopted in 1856.
The doctrine then hat the people of a
territory could, and of right ought to
'regulate their institutions in their own
way" was considered "monstrous," sub
|~versive of the fundamental principles of
our Government, a total violation, We
were told, of the Constitution of the
United States.
But two years have elapsed, and where
lido we find them now? We find them
with Douglas, Walker& Co, their sworn
enemies, protesting to be better sover.
leignty men than the Democratic party
Itself, voting for the admission of a slave
State practically.
We may we'll ask, where will wonders
cease, when such men as Seward ant
IGiddings, and Wilson and Co!lamel
will vote, not only to admit Kansas as
4 slave State, but this too simply by tn,
proclamation Of the President, when the
constitution expressly provides, not tina
the President is empowered to admit
new States. but that "new States may
be admitted by the Congress into tn,
Union"
Here in the first place they propose ;
measure totally a~ntagonistical to theil
Former measures and expressed princi
aples, and in the second, propose to carry
Z that measure into execution in a noto
3%riously illegal form. Formerly they
Thought that Congress alone had juris
Sdiction over the subject of slavery; nov
they propose to remove it entirely from
congress, and rest it in the hands of the
border rufians' cf Kansas and the
President.
1 1t is notorious that aside from theil
Opposition to the Lccompton Constitu
|tion because it contained a slavery clause
the Republicans repeatedly said will
Douglas, that it was not enough thai
athe constitution should be republican il
form, but that it was the power, the du
lty of Congress to enquire whether i
contained the embodiment of the vii
3of the people. This was their DECLARE
ation. Is this their true position?-
Were they honest when they so declar
led? If so. are they honest now in ad
avocating the admission of Kansas with
aout an enquiry as 20 whether it be re
publican in form, or the embodiment o.
1.-THE majority Of the bona tide resident:
of the territory? We would like to st.
them reconcile their two positions, ont
with the other. They were either hon
lest then, or dishonest low OF arc homes
now, and dishonest then, or honest il
.neither position. Which will you have
lit gentlemen?
1t is alleged that the Lccompton Con
astitution, though presented by the legal
ly constituted authorities, uncxception
able in its provisions, and adopted il
the same manner as the Constitution oil
the United States itself was adopted
was not the constitution of the people
that it did not represent a majority OF
the actual residents. They, therefore
|petitloned Congress to redress THEN
wrongs by rejecting it.
Now let us suppose that it be rejected
and another constitution be presented
what means have Congress, who alone
is empowered to admit new States, OF
knowing whether it meets the wishes.
of the people, or is even republican in
form, if the Crittendcn's Montgomery
amendment prevails? If it was right fol
Congress to enquire into this matter
when the Lecompton Constitution was
presented, is it not equally right thai
they should make the same enquiries
in relation to any subsequent constltu
presented? If the LccomptonI
Constitution was carried by fraud and
violence" as is alleged, how are we to|
know but what any subsequent constitu
ton presented Will be adopted BY the
same means?
We have too much confidence in thtj
8OOu ScISc anu hISUOuh VI tHC $OHSiSFs
to believe they will allow such measures
to pass and be recorded against themE
for future reference. If it be recorded
it will be to their everlasting shame
That republican members should per
NIT it, we are not so much surprised,
IS it is natural that, like a drowningE
man, they should clutch at any thing
as fragile as a straw, with ahopoE
Of s~aveing themselves from the politica!
Ieath, staring them in the face; Or, see
ing their fall, that they should, with
heir expiring struggle, endeavor tol
shake the foundation of the noble super
of the Democratic party.
We still adhere firmly to u original
position that the best manner of ettle-E
.ng the Kansas difficulties is to admit
ler under her constitution presented
yet every move made to evade theE
question, every compromise proposed
las not only not tended to settle thcE
question, but has tended to involve thef
matter in confusion the most incxtrica-
Die, and may yet prove in effect the mos;1
to the interests of the people,
IF Kansas and the peace of the pablo
nind.-Doyton Empire.