The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1858-03-24

0TMen who desire to play conspicuous parts
in the politics OF their country, without regard
to consistency or principle, be their motive
whatever it way but who are not possessed of
good and truthful memories should be careful to
avoid making lengthy speeches, or at least,
should not have them placed on record. Asa
proof Of the correctness of this proposition, we
make the following extract from an address on
Kansas, Utah and the Dred Scott decision, de-
livered by the Hon. Stephen A. Douglas, in the
State House, at Springfield, Illinois, on the
twelfth of June, 1851 The address was pub
lished in ertenso in our columns. The gentle
MN said:
"0n the Kansas question but little need be
said at the present time. You are familiar with
tie history Of the question and my connection
with it. Subsequent reflection has strengthen
ed and confirmed my conviction in the sound
ness ofthe principles on which | acted, and the
correctness Of the course have felt it my duty
to pursue on that subject Kansas is about to
speak for herself through her delegates assem-
bled in Convention to form Constitution pre-
paratory to her admission into the Union on
an equal footing with the original States. Peace
and prosperity now prevail throughout her bor
derS. The law under which her delegates are
about to be elected, is believed to be just and
fair in all its objects and provisions. There is
every reason to hope that the law will be fairly
interpreted and impartially executed 50 as to
allow every bona file inhabtant the free and
quiet exercise of the elective franchise If any
portion OF the inhabitants acting under the ad
vice of political leaders in distant States, shall
choose to absent themselves from the polls, and
wethold their votes, with view OF leaving the
free State Democrats in the minority, and thus
securing pro slavery Constitution in opposi-
ton to the wishes of the majority Of the people
living under it, let the responsibility rest on
those, who, for partizan o'es, will sacrifice
the principles they profess to cherish and pro-
mote, &c.
Now, what do we find in all this? First
That the wishes Of the people were to be ex
pressed through het, delegates, assembled in
Convention to form Constitution, prepara-
tory" or in other words, which shall entitle
them to be admitted into the Union. Second:
A recognition Of the validity Of the authority
under which the delegates were appointed
Third: That those who did not choose to vote
at the election for delegates "thu' securing"
constitution, could blame no one but them
selves.
On these two latter points we believe there
il no objection made In fact the legality of
the Convention was fully recognized by every
one, except those who voluntarily refused TO
t.ke any port in its el-Gtion, simply because
they were determined to stand by the rebellious
Topeka Constitution and for no ether reason
On the first point VIC maintain that the exer-
else Of the peoples sovereignty may be, and is
fully carried out by their delegates, whose prin-
ciplcs and views are known to those who ap-
point them as such. 1t is practice in every
day legislation and it is principle carried out
by the delegates to the Electoral College who
do not submit their nomination again to the
people for ratification, merely because they en-
baly in Themselves the will and sovereignty of
the people
As for the author of the remarks which we
have quoted, we leave our readers to judge how
much they harmoniza with his preseut posi-
ton.