The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-10-09

Let any one, disposed to understand
correctly the course of the so-called Dem
ocratic party during the last four or five
years, examine their action through all its
vagaries and inconsistencies. He will
find that there has been debasing obse-
quiousness to the central edicts on every
occasion, without regard to the principles
involved-a change to opposite extremes
whenever the Administration required it.
They were all supporters of the Missouri
Compromise until the Administration, un-
der a sudden impulse, demanded its ap-
peal. As soon as the central power made
this test question, their partisans sur
rendered, and, instead of maintaining the
Missouri Compromise, they were convert
ed into opponents. In the Slave States
the repeal was denounced by the South
ern Rights party, on the ground that
Slavery was national, and extended over
the whole public domain /; but in the Free
States the o-called Democracy protested
against nationalizing and extending Slave
ry; and their excuse for a change Of
front was squstter sovereignty, popular
sovereignty, the right of the people in the
Territory to decide for themselves in re-
gard to their own domestic Institutions
Which of these two antagonisms in the
same party, the Southern Rights or the
so-called Democracy, ultimately prevailed,
need not be mentioned. Degradation is
abiect, and always succumbs.
Having repealed the Missouri Compro-
mise, it became necessary that the Central
Government should go still farther, and
abandon the established Territorial policy
of the Government. 1t was demanded in
the name of Southern Rights, and the
Administration recognized it as valid. OF
course, when the Administration yielded,
and made it test, the so-called Democ-
racy surrendered. They had no princi-
pies, no convictions, that could be allowed
to conflict with the standard erected by
the Federal authorities, and the Southern
Rights party had decided what should be
that standard. But to soften and miti-
gate their sbasement, the so-called De-
mocracy professed reverential regard for
Territorial sovereignty. The people Of
the Territories were sovereign, and must
| decide for themselves. But, in electing
the members of the Territorial Legisla-
ture in Kansas, the people of the Terrific
ry were deprived Of the right of choosing
their own Representatives by invasions
from abroad. If there had been sincerity
and manliness, or consistency and honesty,
in the Administration or among the So
called Democracy of the Free States, they
would have opposed and put down this
outrage. This, however, would have CIV
en- offence to the Southern Rights party,
which the Administration would not do.
1t therefore sustained, by armed force, the
usurpation, and the so-called Democracy
sustained that central despotism. Terri
torial sovereignty was smitten and lay
PROSTATE under invation and usurpation,
Kansas had Legislature elected by per-
sons not residents within her limits, to
make laws for the government of the peo-
pie within her limits. This was the fruit
of the new Territorial policy, and was
sustained by the Administration and the
so-called Democratic party.
When Governor Walker and Stanton,
under the instructions of Mr.. Buchanan,
in the spring and summer Of 1857, assured
the people Of Kansas they should have q
free and fair vote at the election, and that
no Constitution should be recognised
which they did not sanction at the polls,
the so-called Democracy were loud in
their expressions of approval. But the
Southern Rights" party took instant meas
ures to make known their dissatisfaction.
Denunciations were poured out through
thoir presses and in their conventions,
against the policy of Walker and Buchan-
an; and the latter, in trepidation, hast
eneG to revoke and reverse his orders
But Walker and Stanton persevered, ex-
| posed and corrected the enormous frauds
at Kickspoo, Oxford, and other points,
whereby the Southern Rights party were
defeated; and the Administration, its
faithful instrument, did not conceal its
dissatisfaction. Walker was compelled
TO resign, and so soon as Stanton convened
the Legislature, in order that legal meas,
ures could be taken to vote on the Con-
stitution, he was summarially dismissed.
In all of these vacillating and demon
alizing proceedings, these counter meas
ures aud changes Of front, these tergivcr-
sations and inconsistencies, these parti-
sans Of the AdmInistration-the so-called
Democracy Of the Free States-accom-
modated themselves to all changes, and
adapted themselves to the opposing and
conflicting measures of the Administra-
ton. When Walker assured the people
they should have fair election, and the
Constitution should be submitted to them,
the so-called Democracy approved
When, however, Walker and Stanton
were dismissed for so doing, the so-called
Democracy justified their dismissal. The
Southern Rights party were not guilty Of
this disgusting sycophancy, for they op-
posed the course Of Walker, his assuranc-
es Of fair vote, and submission Of the
Constitution, from the beginning. Kan
sas was to be subjugated by any means,
and they knew the influence which the
machinery of party would exercise, aided
by patronage, in contributing to that sub
jugation, among ambitious and unscrupu-
lous partisans, who would demean them
selves to any servility.
The Administration party, calling itself
Democratic, is buriesque on Democracy,
and q reproach on all Democratic princi-
Piles. Indeed, the Administration has no
fixed and well defined principles. 1t is q
mere partisan Administration, relying on
the discipline of skeleton organization,
and the power and patronage Of the Gov.
eminent, for its support. An able and
honest Executive would rely on the rec
titude Of his intentions and the Justice ol
his policy and acts, for the approval oi
his eountrymen. Mr.. Buchanan has eyi.
IDENTIFY no faith in his own measures, bui
resorts, like all feeble minds, to expedi.
ents-and these, Of course, are constantly
failing him. His great measure, to which
he bent his whole energies during the
late long session, the marked feature o.
his Administration, the petted scheme o
the Southern Rights party, the Lecomp
| ton Constitution, has proved an utter ab
ortion. Heselected and'specified his owI
policy, and it has ended in total failure