Nebraska advertiser., 1858-02-25

The Admission OF AanSas unuoL 'nO
LecOmptOn Constitution, ana lts
Probable Effect on the Future OF
the Democracy.
We copy into our columns the following
somewhat lengthy, and most excellent ar
ticle from the washington States, on
the Kansas Lecompton Constitution, Sc
This article means much, coming from the
source it does. Ma. HEIss, the Edit
or. is a southern man-has always been
ultra IN his opinions and positiOns-is an
old newspaper pOlitician-entirely discOn-
nected with all patronage, and hence his
stand on this question, astoUnds the quid
nuncs, and causes a decided rafting among
the dry bones: q
kansas, itwould seem, is still deereed
by fate to fresh phases of difficulty to the
politician who SO lately thought he had
reason to bid the subject a hearty adieu,
1t comes before US now in the least ques-
tionabIe shape, but In 50 opposite a man
ner to that we so lately deemed unques-
tionable, that it demands a consideration
more for our self-defence as Democrats
than for any settlement of its troubles.
They, it would appear, are settled by the
people of Kansas for themselves.
Governor Denver's proclamation to the
people of the Territory, showing that there
is a majority of ten thousand of the bona
fde voters Of the Territory against the
Lecompton Constitution, is the first well
authenticated evidence we have that the
people of Kansas are almost unanimously
opposedt to it. We have had plenty ofnews-
paper statements to that effect, and no
lack of their endorsement by politicians;
but we have never had the facts present.
ed to us as they now are. They come to
US as the official vote Of the c~iizens of
Kansas, endorsed by the. signature of the
federal official governing the Territory ;
and we cannot but recognize their full
bearing and Importance.
We remarked on Saturday that the re-
suit of Governor Denver's returns gives
an entirely new aspect to the Kansas
question; and it is matter for thoughtful
consideration whether Kansas ought to
be taken into the Union with the Lecomp-
ton Constitution, and a majority Of three
to one against i. We have persistantly
refused to be led by the statements Of
stdltiied letter-writers, and scheming or
specializing politicians, representing or
misrepresenting each and every side Of the
Kansas controversy. We have always ar
gued for a simplification, and not a COM
plication of the facts Of the case; advised
our readers to wait patiently for such sim
pliication, and not be deluded by the ex-
ertions of denlagogues IN search of polit-
ical capital; and who, hoping to bless their
own stars, have bounteously cursed Kan
sas by their interference.
We have now to axe decided action on
the question. In a few days the repre-
sentatives Of the entire people will be put
to the test of sustaining the doctrine Of
non-intervention and State rights, on the
principle that the people have a right to
form their own constitution; or that a con-
s%titution condemned by three-fourths Of
the1people of Kansas shall be forced upon
them by the national Congress.
We cannot too earnestly beg Of the
Democratic Senators and members from
the North and South, to give to this vital
question all the honest consideration such
a fundamental question as this of State
rights demands, and especially in its pres
ent relation to Kansas. We beg Of them
to consider the question in all its bear
ings-its gains, itslosses, and its final re-
suits. Noisy defamation on the one hand,
or bland sophistry on the other, must not
defraud their convictions of the truth. Let
them act like reasonable reasoning men,
honest to themselves by being honest to
those principles of State-rights Democra-
cy by which their constituents sent them
to Congress.
1t is beyond doubt that a large major
ity of the Northern Democracy are oppos-
ed to the L%ecompton Constitution, on the
ground that the people Of Kansas who.
have a right to choose their own institu-
tions are opposed to 1t. The press of the
Democracy tell us 50; and Democratic
Legislatures, in a number of instances,
have instructed their Senators and men,
bers of Congress to oppose it. On the
other hand the South are almost unani-
nous in its favor. Now, the question is,
should the South press the Northern De-
mocracy to vote for the reception of the
Lecompton Constitution at any sacrifice?
The National Democracy at the North
have always fought, and always viii fight,
side by side with the united South, on anv
question touching the aggrandizement or
safety Of the Union. The Northern De-
mocracyhave stood by the South il. the &C
QUESTION of territory heretofore, and it is
prepared to stand by the South in the ac-
QUESTION of territory hereafter. The
knowledge of these facts ought to make
the South careful how it perils the strength
of the North, by forcing it to a vote which
in all probability, might sacrifice its po-
sition In the councils Of the nation, and
break up the party power Of the De-
mocracy at the North. The facts on all
sides warn us of the danger. On the
other hand, how is the South to be bene-
fitted by such a sacrifice of the North
Let us see.
The admission of Kansas, in defiance
of the expressed will of its people, will,
according to the reported returns, bring
into tho Ca1ofa re H. TTus4aI c.