Mariposa Democrat., 1858-02-11
THE LEGISLATURE ON KANSAS.

THE LEGISLATURE ON KANSAS.
The Legislature of California, has, it seems,
concluded to pass its opinion upon the merits
of the vexed Kansas question--three methods
having been proposed by which position in
the premises is to be attained. AT this move
Of our Legislature, we would rejoice--were
we sure its discussion would not prove expens-
ive-as we think it may prove beneficial, in
connexion with similar expressions throughout
the Union, in having a tendency to quiet the
agitation of the subject continuance of which
can result in no especial benefit, as the matter
must ultimately be settled by the people of
Kansas, themselves The subject was made
the special order Of the day for Friday, 18th
inst, and as the matter will be much discussed
by our readers, and as the position of the Leg
islature, should it assume one on the question,
will be of interest to all, we give the concur
rent resolutions as offered, the first being by
Mr.. Ferguson, Senator from Sacramento
Resolved, By the Senate, the Assembly conculring
that Senators in Congress be- and they are hereby
instructed, and Representatives requested to op
pose the admission of the Territory of Kansas into the
Union a State, under the Lecompton Constitution
until the same, in its entirety, shall have been sub
mitted to the people of the Territory for their final
action
This, it will be remembered, is the position
assumed by us two weeks since, our honest
opinion being, that, according to Democratic
policy, and with due regard to the princi-
pies of popular sovereignty, the people Of the
territory, themselves, should pass upon the
constitution, by the provisions of which, as
law, they were to be in future governed. And
these views were expressed in full view Of the
arguments adduced by some in favor of the
admission of Kansas under the Lccompton
Constitution, leaving the people to remodel it
afterwards Ia Rubicon, indeed, never TO be
repassed, except to confirm that Constitution.
With no wish to cling to the skirts of any ro-
litician, or to uphold those whom we think in
error, for hope of reward, and with an honest
conviction of our correctness, we advanced the
opinion we now find expressed in the resolu-
tion offered by the able Senator from Sacra-
mento, and which we hope will be adopted by
the Legislature.
The resolutions offered by Mr.. Burch, Sem
ator from Humboldt and Trinity, afford view
of the second position proposed;
Resolved, By the Senate, the Assembly concurrng,
that the views Of President Buchanan the called
Kansas question, expressed in his recent Message,
are In accordance with the Democratic doctrine of
popular sovereignty.
Resolved That in the recommendation of the Pres.
ident that Kansas be admitted into the Union under
the Lecompton Constitution we recognize an earnest
and commendabe aim on his partto remove from Con
gress the further agitation Of the slavery question,
and to encourage in our Senators aud Congressman
that nonnterference with the domestic institutions of
the country, which by Federal Constitution is
guaranteed to the States and the people.
We pass these resolutions without comment,
being unwilling to censure, and are disposed
to award that credit for honesty of opinion
which we endeavor to deserve ourselves. DIFF
ferences should not be considered grounds for
anmosity-in the above resolutions, the action
of the Administration is referred TO as having
been consistent with F" the Democratic doctrine
Of popular sovereignty" We think it was not.
Senator Chase of Nevada, offered the follow
ing resolutions, intended as a compromise, and
are not unlike those submitted by Mr.. Pugh,
of Ohio in the U. S. Senate:
Resolved BY the Senate, the Assembly concurring,
that our Representatives in Congress be requested
and Senators instructed to vote for any bill au-
thorzing the admission Of Kansas into the Union as
State, under the Lecompton Constitution. which shall
embrace, substantially, the following principles, and
make them the express condition of such admission:
lst. That the question of slavery shall be submitted
at an early day, after such admission, to the legal
voters of Kansas for them TO determine whether slave
ry shall shall not be tolerated in the State such
vote to be binding and conclusive upon the State and
To be part Of the Constitution until changed.
I'd. That Convention be called by the act author
zing the admission of Kansas Or that said act author
ize the Legislature Of Kansas at any time to call
Convention to amend revise or entirely change the
Constitution known the Lecompton Constitution, If
Kansas is admitted under such Constitution.
If right and justice is the only end sought
for by the agitation of the Kansas question,
these last resolutions must meet with favor.
If a compromise is to be effected at all, it will
be under such. They combine, as nearly as
can be, the essentials for the admission of
Kansas. and the obtaining of fair vote of the
whole people upon the Constitution at fu-
ture time; a provision not conditioned upon
any certain state of things and therefore the
Constitution may, Immediately on the adms-
sion of Kansas, be submitted to the people,
and will then receive, untrameled by prestige,
and unassisted by undue influences, the vote
Of the true majority, either for its ratification
or rejection.