The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1858-08-26
What the Monroe Democrat said Dec.
Sd 1857.

ed its labors and adjourned. We have
purposely, thus far, rcfraiDed frocn MOTTO
ing its proceedings. because we did not
wish to raise our voice for or against its
action, before We had some tangible as
surance what it was to result in. Now,
however, it becomes US to speak, and We
mean to speak plainly.
When the bill authorizing the conven-
ton passed the Territorial Legislature,
we had every assurance, from those who
seemed to speak by authority, that its
work should be conducted fairly and i'm
partially, and that when finished the con-
stitution should be submitted to the peo-
pie for their approval or rejection. We
were led to believe, and, on our faith, We
helped to lead others to believe that in
the constitutions formation the members
Of the convention would continually keep
in view the doctrine of popular sovereign
ty," as promulged to the Kansas Nebras-
ka bill: that they would act houorably
and without partiality to any Of the vsri
Gus sentiments which have heretofore di-
vded and distracted the territory. But
we were deceived. ourself, aud in turn
have involuutarily aided in dcceiving our
neighbors. So far as the convention act
ed, made itself complete clap trap Of
pro-slavery interests, and had regard ou
ly for the wishes of small minority Of
those who are domicilcd in the Territory
Iustead of regarding the doctrine that the
will of the majority shall govern its menu
bcrs. or majority of them, appear to
have spent their time in devising a way
by which the popular will mig ht be cheat
ed, and the minority be allowed to rule
This action bellies all their own pledges,
and all the pledges of the whole democ-
racy. North and South, made during
the late presidential campaign. There Is
consolation. however. in the knowledge
that what they have done is not fnali
ty. Their work has yet to pass the or
deal of an examination and an approval
by Congress. and we hope and con6den.
TALLY believe that the body will so act as
to severely rebuke these tacperers with
the rights of the people, and teach them
that popular sovereignty" does not meau
playing ipto the hands Of the south, as a
party, nor Of the north, but that it means
giving the bona 6de residents OF the Ter
ritory, let them come from what quarter
they may, fair and impartial hearing
in the formation of the fund dameuta Law
of the State. This the Dem ocracy of the
country stands pledged to, aDd this Con
gress should insist upon.
We have not as yet seen the con,titu-
tiou itself, but let that in-trumcnt be ever
so perfect in it's provisions, the fact that
the schedule of its contents, prepared By
the members of the convention which
framed it, makes no provision for its sub
mission, as whole. to the people for their
acceptance or rejection, is enoug of itself
to coudenn it In the formation of no
other State has so BIZ handed an at
tempt been made by the few TO force
constitution upon the many; and the at
tempt should not be submitted 10 in this
instance. and We hope will not be-
What doe- the schedule teach usl Why
that the President of the Convention
should proclaim an election to be held
Cd the 2lst Of the present month; that
The same President should appoint three
persons in each county. who shall select
judges to hold the election; that the bal
lots sball be constitution with slavery
or "coustitutioB without slavery;" that
the returns of said election be made to
the same President, and the result be
proclaimed by him, and certified to Con-
eress. If the slavery clause be u-tained,
the constitution is to be sent to Con-
gress as drafted; if not sustained the
slavery clause is TO be out, and 20 trans.
mltted; no amendments to be ma lie to the |
constitution until seven years shall have
expired after its adoption. In 20 event
is it allowed the people to vote for or a.
gainst any other provision than that
v hlcb relates to slavery: all the rest mu.t
BE taken and swallowed as the lordly
doctors have prepared it. What hum
Dug this; what siur ATTEMPTED to be
cast upon the rig hts of the people to gov
'rn themselves. 1t bears upon its face
he impress OF trick and fraud, and should
DriDg down upon the beads of it's author.
be Scorn and contempt of every lover OF
honesty and straigh hit. forward dealing
throughout the land.
Congress, and we hope the Pennsylvs.
Tia delegation in that body will see to il,
hould at once. upon the presentation of
his packed instrument, reject it by u.
luminous vote. That body should con-
ider that if the new constitution is not
'orthy of being submitted to the judy.
nent Of the freemen of Kansas, it is
learly not fit instrument for their gov.
rnDeDt; aud they should provide for the
ormiDg OF such constitution az would
uffer nothing from public scrutiny, and
ubllc opinion as expressed through the ,
ailot-box. We bope that enough hon.
st men will be found in the next Con. I
ress, to redeem the pledge of the demo. .
ratio party, that Kansas shall come into ,
he Union with such institutions as ma
'rity of her bona.fde citizens shall de. :
'rmine upon. This, as outsiders, the :
Il = IL O..