Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1858-02-25
LecOmptOn COzstilutiOn in the
SOlth.

SOSns
| The following firm the old steadfast
democratic journal the Richmond En-
q"'rer shows what re the feelings of the
conservative peopl, of the South upon
the adoption or rejection of the Lecomp-
ton Constitution. The Enquirer claims
very justly, that tie refusal of Congress
to receive that Constitution would not
be looked upon, %en in the South, as
a violation of tn, doctrine of popular
sovereignty. The article is an able one
and we present il to our readers:
We have seen I%i1timated that in the
event of the rejection of the Lecompton
Constitution by Congress, there will be
a movement among the Southern States
towards a dissolution of the Union
Such an idea may possibly be entertain
ed by a few of the overheated mad-caps
of the malcontentclique of uncomprom-
Using disunionists. But that the con-
sentative sense ofthe South-that con-
stttutionat sentiments, which backed Nh.
Buchanan in SO and s~ustains him still
is in favor of it, we do not for a mo-
ment apprehend. 1t is true, the Kan
sas question inso9xSE that great princi-
pie OF Es+=dess, @Skequality.
which must be maintained If the slave
States arc to be protected and secured
in their sovereign rights. But that the
return of the Leeompton Constitution
by Congress, for the ratification of the
people of Kansas, would be an infringe
ment of that principle, we are not pre-
pared to admit. In earnestness and ur-
gency, the "Eaquirer" yields to no
journal in the country in its advocacy
OF the acceptance of the Lecompton
Constitution. Buff Congress should
to disregard the recom-en-
datlons OF the President, and to turn
E deaf ear to tie argumcntsand appeals
OF tnuse Democrats, North and South,
who insist upon the admission, of Kan
without further conditions, we shall
dissent from the decision, without join
ing in any war cry o~fdisunion. Let US
briefly examine this matter, and ascer-
tain its true merits.
The supporters of the Lecempton
Constitution maintain that the princi-
pie of popular sovereignty should be
held sacred in the eyes of every Ameri-
can-that its preservation is indispen-
sable to the existence of our government.
And at the same time they hold that
invaluable principle has been en-
as far as the occasion calls for it,
as far as it has ever been disputed, as
far as a representative republic need de-
mand it under the circumstances by the
submission of the slave clause to the
They are in favor of the i'm
mediate admission of Kansas into the
because they consider it the
safest and speediest means of quoting a
agitation. Because they re-
gard the Leeompto4 Constitution as a
legitimate exposition of the will of a
Convention called by the people for the
purpose Of framing it. The opponents
Of this measure,f on the other hand, con-
tend that as the people Of Kansas have
been allowed, to vote upon the
acceptable to them; and, therefore, that
it should be-not rejected by Congress,
but returned for popular ratification
What, then, is the difference between US
and them-we mean those who favor
the acceptance of the Lecompton Con-
stitutiou, and those who oppose it? 1t
is simply a difference of reconstruction and
Interpretation. Upon the principle we
Mr.. Buchanan thinks the
question was. the only issue
Judge Douglas thinks the Nebraska bill
refers to the whole organic law of the
territories. Mr.. Buchanan thinks the
clause was submitted with suf-
icicnt fairness TO test the popular sense
upon it. Judge Douglas differs.
Mr.. Buchanan upholds the principle
Of popular sovereignty in all its purity
md power. Judge Douglas processes
to do the same thing. Mr.. Buchanan
considers the immediate admission Of
Kansas, the better and quicker mode of
allowing the people. to exercise their
sovereignty and undo whatever may be
Objectionable to them in the Lecompton
Constitution. Judge Douglas prefers
the plan of returning the Constitution
o them. Thus they agree upon the
principle, and disagree as to the means
Of most effectually enforcing it. AS the
stands now it amounts to a ques-
ton of time and expediency only. And
no man can make more out of it.