The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1858-03-31
McGREGOR, IOWA. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3d. 1858.
vill read the party itself out of exis.

will read the party itself out Of exis
tence.
1t has been contended on this floor
by the gentlemen from Mississippi, Mr.
Lamar, from Alabama, [Mr. Shorter,
and Tennessee, Mr.. Atkins, that the
Lecompton constitution cannot be chang.
ed or amended before 1884; in this they
differ from the President, and I agree
with them.
The constitution of Kansas is com.
pact made with the people-their or.
ganic law it is superior to any legisla.
tive enactment of the State, and all oil
them must conform and be subordinate
to it, or they are absolutely null and
void. The constitution is the "higher
law" of the State, and it cannot be
changed in any manner, cave in the
mode and at the time prescribed in it,
The year 1864 is the period fixed by the
people in their acceptance of the con.
stitution--the compact they have enter
ed into with themselves for the protec-
ton OF their civil rights. and to con-
cede that the people Of Kansas have the
right, at any time, to change their funda-
mental law, is to legalize the right of
revolution in Kansas, in imitation, l
suppose. Of the unsettled and unsatis-
factory state of political affairs in unfor-
tunate Mexico, where revolution and
change Of constitution have. for few
years past. occurred every few months.
The decision of the Supreme Court Of
the United States, in the case of the
"Dorr rebellion" a court whose deci-
sions are respected and specially com
mended by the President, } in my judg-
ment forever puts at rest any doubt upon
this subject. If they cannot move in
favor of change of their constitution
before 1864, they must then conform to
the mode prescribed by the constitution,
which is that the Legislature, by a tsco
thirds vote, at their next session, may
call convention, and if the people at
the next election vote in favor of con.
stitution, it may meet and form a new
constitution. From this it will be per-
ceived that there can really be no change
before 1856; and not then, unless taoe
thirds of the Legislature favor it.
When it is remembered that the mem.
bers of the Assembly are elected for
two and the Senators for four years
considering the character Of the bold,
bad men who, under the Lecompton con.
sttution. may initiate this State govern.
ment. and how unscrupulously they will
act in framing and passing laws to per-
petuate the rule of themselves and
friends. it is not at all probable that the
constitution of Kansas will be changed
before 1870.
Now, force Kansas in as a State un.
der this obnoxious Lecompton constita.
ton. and predict that the anti Lecomp.
ton party will carry New York next fall
by over fifty thousand majority; that q
majority Of the Representatives elected
to Congress next fall will be auti-Le
compton and that an anti-Lecomptor
statesman will be the next President Of
the United States. Stop agitation upon
this subject by presidential edict, OF
by office-holders crying ''peace, be
still " Impossible When this can
be done we shall not be fit for the liberty
we enjoy; and the present Democratic
party will be buried so low in political
infamy as to prevent its resurrection by
the united efforts of the entire South
Stop that agitation which demands that
popular sovereignty shall reign omnip.
otent in this Republic No, never =
Sir, it is the child Of light; it gambols
on the hill-tops and in the valleys,
throughout our beautiful country. 1t is
that spirit which lived where a Tel
dwelt it had Hsmpden for votary
it wrested magma charta from King
John; gave the habeas corpus act to
Britain !; and the Declaration Of Inde,
pendence to this country. 1t has ever
been the life of the Democratic party
Jefferson was an agitator. Monroe wa:
an agitator, when he announced the doc
trine Of "non-i interference of European
Powers on this continent soune
doctrine, and one that hope to see thi.
Administration enforce. Andrew Jack
son was an agitator, and agitated thu
United States Bank out Of existence
We agitated Texas into the Union and
by system of hard agitation. tough
kansas" and popular sovereignty
in favor with the people. and agitatet
Mr.. Buchanan upon it into the presi
dental chair. Opposition to agitation
is the child Of darkness it was begot
ten by despotism, and fostered BY
kings and emperors. 1t has in France
established the censorship Of the press
and is used to keep light from the op
pressed people, and them in ignorance
As Democrat, considering how mucI
benefit agitation has conferred upon tn
people OF this country in the adoption O
all the wholesome progressive measure
of the Democratic party. / can neve
consent to oppose agitation. especiall
when l believe justice will finally folio,
right. No. sir. glory in agitation. ant
am proud of being an agitator agains
the Lecompton constitution.
This Administration should be con
trolled by principles not seek to con
troll by patronage. l honestly believ
that, but for patronage. fast becomin.
the bane of the Republic, not ten Dem
ocratic members from the free State
would be found supporting the Lecomp
ton constitution az it has been present
ed to us. For myself. not being on
of those who
"-erook tie pregnant hinges Of the knee,
Where thrift may pillow Awning"
I am irrevocably against it.
y y
Tho frouAs orovon ~ hovo hoon rnr,