The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-02-18


the sovereign States composing the Union
would be violated and the use and enjoy
ment Of territory acquired by the common
treasure ot all the State would be clt~fd
against the people and property Of nearly
| half 81 the mcmpers OF the coDfedcracy.--
Slavery can therefore never be prohibited in
Kansas except through the means OF consti-
tutional provision, and in no other manner
can this BE- obtained 20 promptly, If the ma
jorty of the people desire it, g. by admit.
ting her into the Union under her present
| Constitution. On the other hand, should
| Congress reject the Constitution under the
idea Of affordng the disafec:ed in Kansas a
third opportunity to prohibit slavery in the
/ State, which they might have done twice
before, il 10 the majority, DO man can fore.
tell the consequences II Congress, for the
| sake Of these men who refused TO vote for
/ delegates TO the Convention, when they
/ might have excluded slavery from the con-
I s,itution. and who aiterward refused to vote
ON December Dist, when they might, as they
/ claim, have stricken slavery from the Con
stitn,ion, should now reject this State be-
caue slavery remains in the Constitution,
! it is manifest that the agitation upon this
subject will be renewed 10 more alarming
/ form than it has ever before assumed. Ev-
cry patriot in the country had INDUCED the
| hope that the Kansas Nebraska act would
have put final end to the slavery agitation,
at least in Congress, which had, for more
than twenty years, CONFUSED the country
and endangered the Union. This act in.
VOWED great and fundamental principles,
and if fairly carried into effect, will settle
the question. Should agitation be again
revived should the people Of sister States
he again estranged from each other with
more than former bitterness will arise
from cause so far as the interests Of Kan
sas are concerned, more triiling and insignii-
cant than has ever stirred the elements of a
great people into commotion. TO the peo-
pie of Kansas, the only practical difference
between admission or rejection depends sim
ply upon the fact whether they can them
selves more speedily change their present
constitution if it does not accord with the
will Of the majority, or frame second con-
stitution to he submitted to Congress here
after.
Even il this were a question Of mere ex'
pediency and not Of right, small difference
Of time one way or the other il not OF the
least Importance when contrasted with the
evils which must necessarily result to the
whole country from the revival OF the Slavery
agitation.
In considering this question, it should
never be forgotten that in proportion to its
insignifcance. bet the decision be what IL
may, 80 far as it may affect a few thousand
Inhabitants Of Kansas, who have from the
beginning resisted the Constitution aud the
laws. for this very reason the rejection OF
the Constitution will bc 40 much the NOR,
kceny ielt by the people OF fourteen States
Of the Union where Slavery Is recognized
und r the Constitution OF the United States.
Again. the speedy admission Of Kansas
into the Union will restore peace and quiet
To the whole country. Already the affairs
Of that Territory have engrossed an undue
propo ton Of public attention, AMI have
sadly affected the friendly relations Of the
people Of the States with each other and
alarmed the fears of patriots for the safety
Of the Union X an-as once admitted, the
excitement becomes localized and would
soon die away for want OF Ou.siIt aliment,
and then every difficulty could h" settled by
the hallot-boy. Besides, and no thrilling
consideration, shah then be enabled To
withdraw the troops from Kansas and en-
ploy them on service where they are much
needed. They have been kept there on the
earnest importantly OF Governor Walker.
10 maintain the existence OF the Territorial
Government. and secure the execution OF
the laws. He considered at least two thou
~and regular troops. under the command OF
Gen. Harvey, necessary.
Acting upon his reliable information. !
have been obliged in some degree. To inter
icre with the expedition to Ctsh in order TO
keep down the repellion in Kansas, which
has involved very heavy expense to the gov
erpment Kansas once admiited,it is believed
there will no longer be occasion there for the
troops.
| have thus performed my duty on this
important question under deep sens ofmy
responsibility to tod and Ia the country
My public life will terminate in brief Pc
Rod AMI | have no other object Of earthly
ambition than to leave my country in a
peaceful and prosperous condition, and TO
live in the affections and respect Of my coun-
trymen, The dark AMI omnous clouds now
impending over the Union cousceniiously
believe will be diSSipated with honor to ev
cry portion Of it 10y the admission Of Kansas
during the present session OF Congress ;
whereas, II ste shollI be rejected. greatly
fear these clouds will become darker and
more omiuous than ever yet threatened the
Constitution and the Unicu.
Signed JAMES BCcil,SAS.
Washington, Feb. ,, l-As
Ine Nurmoos.