Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-12-09
Vol, VIII.

States" 1t would equally have violated the great
principle Of popular sovereignty at the foundation
OF our Institutions, to deprive the people of the pow
er' II they thought proper to exercise it of conding
10 delegates elected by themselves the trust of fra
ming constitution, without requiring them to sub
Ject their constituents to the trouble expense and
delay of a second election. 1t would have been in
opposition to many precedents in history, COM
mencng in the very best age of the republic, of the
admission Of Territories as States into the Union.
without previous vote of the people approving
their constitution. .. s....
IL Is to be lamented that question so insignifi-
can't when viewed in its practical effects on the peo-
pie OF Kansas whether decided one way or the 9TH
er, should have kindled such flame of excitement
throughout the country. This reflection NAV prove
to be lesson of wisdom and of warning for our flu
ture guidance. Practically considered the question
Is SIMPLY whether the people of that Territory
shond first come into the Union and then change
any provision in their constitution not agreeable to
themselves, or accomplish the very same object by
remaining out of the Union and framing another
constitution in accordance with their will? In eli
ther case, the result would be precisely the same
The only difference in point of fact is, that the OBJ
Ject would have been much sooner attained and the
pachcation OF Kansas speedily effected had it
been admitted as State during the last session of
Congress.
My recommendation, however, for the immediate
admission of Kansas failed to meet the appreciation
of Congress They deemed it wiser to adopt diff
erent measure for the settlement of the question:
For my own part, l should have been willing to
yield my assent to almost any constitutional mea-
sure to accomplish this object. T. therefore, cordi-
ally acquieSced in what has been called the English
Compromise, and approved the " Act for the adms-
sion of the State of Kansas into the Union" upon
the terms therein prescribed.
Under the ordinance which accompanied the Le-
compton constitution, the people of Kansas had
claimed double the quantity OF public lands for the
support of common schools, which had ever been
previously granted to any State upon entering the
Union; and also the alternate sections of land for
twelve miles each side of two railroads. proposed
to be constructed from the northern to the southern
boundary, and from the eastern to the western
boundary of the State. Congress, deeming these
claims unreasonable, provided, by the act of May T.
1853 to which have just referred for the admis-
sion of the State equal footing with the orig
nal States, but "upon the fundamental condition
precedent" that majority of the people thereof at
an election to be held for that purpose, should in
place of the very large grants of public lands which
they had demanded under the ordinance accept
such grants had been made to Minnesota and 9TH
States. Under this act, should majority
reject the proposition offered them, it shall be
deemed and held that the people of Kansas do not
desire admission into the Union with said consttu-
tuition under the conditions set forth in said propo
siton." In that event. the act authorizes the peo-
pie of the Territory to elect delegates to form a
constitution and State government for themselves
whenever, and not before, it is ascertained by
census duly and legally taken that the population
of said Territory equals exceeds the ratio Of rep
rescntatiOn required for member of the House of
Representatives of the Congress of the United
States" The delegates thus assembled shall first
determine by a vote whether it is the wish Of the
people of the proposed State to be admitted into the
Union at that time, and if So shall proceed to form
constitution and take all necessary steps for the
establishment of State government in conformity
with the federal constitution" After this constitu-
ton shall have been formed Congress, carrying out
the principles Of popular sovereignty and noninter
proval or ratification by the people of the proposed
State" to be "prescribed by law" and they shall
then be admitted into the Union State under
such constitution thus fairly and legally made, with
without slavery, as said constitution may pre-
| SCRIBE"
An election was held throughout Kansas, in pur.
s,lance of the provisions of this act the second day
of August last and it resulted in the rejection by
large majority of the proposition submitted to the
people by Congress. This being the case, they are
now authorized to form another constitution, pre-
paratory to admission into the Union, but not until
| their number, as ascertaned by a census, shall
equal exceed the ratio required to elect member
| to the House of Representatives.
1t is not probable in the present state of the
that third constitution can be lawfully framed anc
presented to Congress by Kansas before its popula
! ton shall have reached the designated number
Nor is it to be presumed that after their sad expert
ence in resisting the territorial laws, they will at
tempt to adopt constitution in express violation
| the provisions of an act of Congress. During the
session of 1856, much of the time of Congress wa:
occupied on the question of admitting Kansas under
the Topeka constitution. Again, nearly the whole
of the last session devoted to the question OF it,
admission under the Lecompton constitution. Sure
| " it is not unreasonable to require the people o
Kansas to wait, before making third attempt, un
til the number of their inhabitants shall amount tt
ninety three thousand four hundred and twenty
During this brief period the harmony of the States
as we'll as the great business interests of the country
demand that the people of the Union shall not for
third time be convulsed by another agitation on tn
| Kansas question. By waiting for a short time, ant
acting in obedience to law, Kansas will glide int
the Union without the slightest impediment
RULE FOR THE ADMISSION OF NEW STATES.
This excellent provision, which Congress have ap
piled to Kansas, ought to be extended and rendere
applicable to all Territories which may hereafte
seek admission into the Union.
Whilst Congress possess the undoubted power G
admitting new State into the Union, howeve
small may be the number of its Inhabitants yet thi
power ought not in my opinion, to be exercised be
fore the population shall amount to the ratio requl
ed by the act for the admission of Kansas. Ha
this been previously the rule, the country woul
have escaped all the evils and misfortunes to whc
it has been exposed by the Kansas question
OF course, it would be unjust to give this rule
retrospective application and exclude State which
acting upon the past practice of the government ha
already formed its constitution, elected its legis'
ture and other officers, and is now prepared to er
ter the Union.
The rule ought to be adopted whether we consit
er its bearing on the people of the Territories or VI
on the people of the existing States Many Of tn
serious dissensons which have prevailed in Congres
and throughout the country, would have been avoit
ed, had this rule been established at an earlier p
riod of the government.
!, Immediately upon the formation OF a new lerrit
rv. people from different States and from foreg
countries rush into it, for the laudable purpose
improving their condition. Their first duty to then
selves is to open and cultivate farms, to constru
roads, to establish schools, to erect places Of re