Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1858-02-11
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY II, 1853.

emily of this act, they would have been bound
to submit any portion Of the Constitution to
the popular vote in order to give it validity.
Had | entertained such an opinion, thi
would have been in opposition to many pre-
cedents in our history, commencing in the
very best age of the Republic. 1t would
haze been in opposition to The principle
which pervades our institutions, and is every
day carried into practice, that the people
have the right to delegate to representatives
chosen by themselves, their sovereign power
to frame Constitutions, enact laws, and per-
form any other important acts, without re-
their subsequent approba tion.
1t would be a most inconyenient limitation
of their own power, imposed by the people
upon them> elves, to exclude them from exer,
cising their sovereignty, in any lawful man.
ner they may think proper. 1t is true the
people Of Kansas might, if they had pleased,
have required the Convention to submit the
Constitution to a popular vote, bat this they
have not done. The only remedy, therefore,
in this case, is that which exists in all other
similar eases. If the delegates who framed
the Kansas Consultation have, in any man
ner. violated the will Of their constituents,
the people always possess the power to
change their Constitution or laws, according
to their own pleasure.
The question of slavery was submitted to
the election of the people of Kansas on the
2lst Of December last, in obedience to the
mandate Of the Constitution. Here, again,
a fair opportunity was presented to the adj
herents Of the Topeka Constitution, if they
were in the majority, to decide this exciting
question, in their own way and thus re-
store peace to the distracted Territory. But
they again refused the right of popular SOW
ercignty, and again suffered the election to
pass in defanlt.
| heartily rejuice that wiser and better
spirit prevailed among a large majority of
these people on the first Monday of January,
aud that they did that day vote under the
l. compton Constitution, for Governor and
other State officers, mem Der of Congress, and
members of the Legislature. This election
was warmly contested by parties, and a
larger vote was polled than at any previous
election in the Territory. We may now
reasonably hope that the revolutionary To,
peka organization may be speedily aud
finally abandoned, and this viii 60 far to-
wards the final settlement of the unhappy diff
ferences in Kansas. If frauds have been
committed at this election, by one or both
parties, the Legislature and the people OF
Kansas, under their Constitution, know how
to redress themselves, and punish these
detestablc, but too common crimes, without
outside interference.
The people of Kansas have, then, Sin
their own way" and in strict accordance
with the organic act, framed Constitution
and State Government, have submitted the
ail-important question of slavery to the peo
pie, aud have elected u governor, member o.
Congress, members Of the State Legislature
and other State officers. They now ask fol
admission into the Union, under this Constr
tuition, which is republican in its form. Il
is for Congress to decide whether they vii
admit or reject the State which has thus beer
created. For my own part, am decidedly
in favor of its admission, and thus ternnna
ting the Kansas question. This will carry
out the great principle of non-interyentlor
recognized and sanctioned by the organic ac
which declares, in express language, in Etyo
of the ron-interyention of Congress will
slavery in the States aud Territories" leay
ing the people perfectly free to form anC
! regulate their domestic institutions in thei
I own way, subject only TO the Constitution 0
/ the United States" In this manner, by 10
calizing the question of slavery, and conin
! ing it to the people who are Immediately con
cerned, every patriot expected this question
70 be banished from the halls OF Congress
where it has always exerted ba.eful lnilu
enee throughout the country.
1t is proper that | should refer to the elec
ton held under the act of the Territoria
Legislature, on the first Monday in January
on the Lecompton Constitution. This cleo
ton, held after the Territory had been pre-
pared for admission into the Union as SOY
ereign State, and when no authority existe
in the Territorial Legislature which coui
possibly destroy it's existence, or change 1t
character, the election, which was PEACEFUL
conducted under my instructions, involved
strange inconsistency. 4 large majority c
the persons who voted against the Lecomr
ton Constitution were at the same time an
place recognizing its valid existence In tn
most solemn and authentic manner, by VIC
ting under its provisions. | have, as ye
received no official information OF the resul
of this election.
AS a question of expediency, after tn
right has been maintained, 1T may be wise
reflect upon the benefits to Kansas and tn
whole Union which would result frcm its In
mediate admission into the Union, as well a
the disaster which may follow Its releetlof
Domestic peace will be the happy const
onence of its admission, and that fine Terr
tory. hitherto torn by dissensions, will rapic
" increase in population and wealth, an
realize the blessings and comfort which 70
low agricultural and mechanical lndustr,
The people then will be sovereign and ca
rerulate their own affairs in their own wa,
If the majority of them desire to abohs
domestic slavery within the State, there is L
other possible mode by which it can be Q
fected SO speedily as by its prompt admi
. sion. The will Of the majority is supren
, and irresistible, when expressed orderly an
in lawful manner 1t can unmake Consl
, tutions at pleasure. 1t would be absurd
t say they can impose fetters upon their ow w
power which they cannot afterwards remoV
t If they could do this, they might tie the !.
f own hands for a hundred as we'll as for tt
!, wears. These are the fundamental prime
, ples of American freedom, and recogniz'
;. in some form by every State Constitution
and if Congress, in the act OF admissio