Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1858-02-24

pie of Kansas and their OWE representatives,
and while he knew very well what was known
to every other lawyer and statesman IN the
country, that it was for the Convention to
shape the Constitution and to decide upon the
form of submission He nevertheless express
sed his opinion freely, that in the circumstan-
ces of tie case. and with reference to the
question of slavery, the Constitution ought to
be submitted 1t was submitted-so submit
ted that if there was majority opposed to
slavery, they had nothing in the world to do
but go to the polls and say SO.
But the moment the Aboitionists saw the
whole disposition of the slavery subject placed
in their own hands, they abandoned appa-
rently all their hostility to It, They Will not
condescend, not they. TO vote on question so
trifing The principle for which they are
willing to drench the country IN blood, has at
once become too insignificant to be worth a
ballot Something else in the organic law
never thought Of before, and not specified even
now has suddenly become SO important IN
J their eyes that the slave question may be de
cided against them for aught they care about
it. unless this new ana underlined and uneX-
pressed grievance be redressed at the same
time. To me 1t seems perfectly clear that
conduct like this must be prompted either 10y
pre- judice almost insane, or else by hypocrisy
shameless beyond the reach OF comparison
/ If the Convention has no legal authority to
make constitution without submitting the
whole of it to popular vote, then this Con-
/ sitution ought to be treated as nullity.-
/ But whosoever 'deuies the general power Of
! the people to clothe their representatives with
! full authority to make Constitution binding
! on themselves and their constituents, knows
J not whereof he afirms- All reason as well
as precedent Is against him.
The power Of the LeGompton Convention
was certainly not restricted, except on the
the question of slavery. But if its members
abused their authority by fraudulently inser-
ting any other provision that they knew to be
wrong or believed to be disapproved by their
constituents and dishonesty refused to sub
nit it, then it should be regarded as cheat.
But where is the evidence Of any such fraud?
The convention had no motive to commit 1t,
They and tLeir constituents did not differ on
the necessity of having a constitution, nor on
any other business subject embraced within
its provisions. On every other subject the
unaDimity of opinion was as perfect as 1t ever
was IN any of those States where a cOnstItu-
ton was not submitted at all l. is easy enough
to abuse these men, but any right minded
person will not accuse them without proof
nor suspect them without motive. For my
self, think 1t was not unfair certainly mol
fraudulent for them to al just all the undispu.
ted points of their government by the exer'
else of their delegated authority aud to leave
the subject on which there was division to
F fair vote of the people.
The President seeing a constitution abou
to be established for Kansas by legal authori
ty. what could he do: He might reGre
something's that were Gone-he might disap
E prove of others-he might wish it had beer
different in many respects; but still it wa
the lawful work of a lawful body. Could h
set it aside? Could he order the election no
; to be held under it? Could he drive the peo
r p!e away from the polls? He had no NOR
Q power to do this than he had to veto an &C
e of the Pennsylvania Legislature
= Since then there was to be an election o
e the direct question of slavery, and oppor
n tnnitv given for a full show ef hands. he ex
D pressed his wish fervently and freely that a
/ people, laying aside their animosities aud pre-
D iudices, should come to the polls. and thcr
f Ieaceably decide question which, as long
it remained open, would produce nothing bI
i excuses for crime and rebellion. He believe
that decision of this question by clean ma
: ioritv of votes, would give peace and order
f Kansas. and with all his heart he wished he
= to ENJOY these uicSsilSs'eNeu IuuuSn sue suo
+ purchase them . the expense of postponin
- the adjustment of other points to future an
= more propitious time. If these sentimen
h have cansed the opposition to abuse him
: cannot be helped; if they have afflicted Il
; conscience of any honest man, | am sorry
d if any intelligent Democrat misunderstanC
+ them, an appeal to his reason and judgmel
e will soon set him right. OF one thing [ a
= sure That James Buchanan is the last ma
5 in the country who need fear the place whic
e will be assigned him in the history of tho
l. proceedings and this will be proved to ii
J. hearts content of all who live long enough
d See the accounts made up.
IS am with great respect, yours, &c,
@ j. S. BLACK.
i To George Pitt, Esq, and others, Con
mittee.