Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1858-03-05
NUMBER 4S.
Geo. Bnncroft,s Position.


The Hon. George Bancroft, the Historian /,
is Democrat, has long been one of the
proudest boasts OF the Democratic parity
He has honored the position OF Secretary of
the Navy and of Minister to England, under
the auspices OF q Democratic Administra-
lions. At the present crisis in the affairs of
the Democratic party, he goes with Douglas,
Walker, Wise, Forney, Stanton, & Co., a.
gainst Buchanan and the Southern Congress-
men. As historian, in which chara ctersbe
is most eminent, he has just furnished the
country with chapter of The history of
Kansas. He gives in sharply defined sem
tences the wrongs of the people of that ter
ritory, our readers Baye been made famil-
lar with them through our columns. He
says 10 the President, that if he will have
a peaceful Administration and stand we'll
with proslerity, he must respect the will of
the people ot Kansas. Replying 80 tlse
suggestion that even if this Lecom pton Con
stitutiou is wrong it is not great wrong,
he says: ''But there is in political Justice no
| such thing a small wrong. A small
wrong contains within itself the seeds 0: all
evil" A few passages from this striking
historical essay, will give due idea of its
| force and syle;
| ''It is said the people Of Kansas should be
/ punished for not going 10 the polls at the
bidding of men who were believed TO be dis
posed to defruud them. They went to the
| polls the first moment that they were salts
fed OF any chance of fair return, even
though suffering pnder great dsadvanta-
ges in the apportionment of representa-
tives.
1t is said that the people of Kansas, once
! admitted into the Union, may change their
Consultation. If this is dishonesty said
will not use the language which would pro-
perly describe the proposition. If, us it IS to
be presumed, it is honestly said, and am sure
I it is honestly said by the President, then
why give to the men of Kansas reverslon-
ary right where they have right # possess
sion!
But it is urged the men Of Kansas are in
I rebellion. The imposition OF a loathsome
aud rejected Constitution is odd remedy
for pretended rebellion, which, as far as
know, has no precedent, except in King
George and the British Parliment in I774.--
|
there is no rebellion there. Cease to dispute
the unqnestionable right of the majority,
and the star of peace will rise serenely the
storm will be hushed, and the waves subside.
| The Government will not find rebellion
there; let it not provoke one.
/ II to the question between the Lecomp-
ton Constitution and the people of Kansas
we apply the test of principle, we find thai
the enforcement of that Constitution will be
| an act of power against right; of the Army
! against the people; of force against reason;
of usurpution against the rightfui win of a
majority. 1t will be violation of the fun.
damental principle Of free government
which is government by consent. 1t is d.
rectly at war with democracy, whose cardi-
nal points is the power of the people. The
supporters of the Lecompton Constitution
have not one square inch of democratic grount
TO stand upon.
Again: the concentration of power in the
hands of Convention like that of Lecomp
ton, is not an American idea. IT is borrow
ed from those republics of Europe which
were not capable of existing long, fer the
reason that power WAS concentrated.
is derived from the worst examples of tn,
worst periods of revolutionary France, wher
mnori,ies usurped power over a natio,
by terror and reckless daring. II the rul'
of the minority Convention is now form lily
sanctioned by Congress, it will be a mos
dangerous precedent; an instrument of wrath
treasured up for day wrath"