The Washington union., 1858-03-04
rnrrLAE nnYELEI.iNrY


The sat5oned article, touching the Inuel-talked-of
subject Of popular sovereignty copied from the HAI
risburg Keystone," and Is in all respects sensble and
judicious
In the general discussion Of the Kansas question there
some aspects Of il which have escaped
sdeaticn The doctrine of popular sovereignty has been
everywhere insisted upon fundamental 10 nstu
nons, and Yet does not appear have been thought
necessary 10 define the meaning OF this Sovereignty IL
seems 10 be taken the absolute viii Of the majority
The exercise OF absolute will by najores minorities,
by many or by is tyranny The popular sovereignty
alone recognabe that ia which the rights Of the mi
nority respected and protected Hence, bills Of rights
and constitutions to RESTRAIN and regulate the VIII Of the
majority ia the exercise of power.
In tins view Of popular sovereignty the majority IN
Kansas have refused 10 aoluesce They insist upon the
unrstrned absolute exercise OF their will They refuse
10 acknowledge any constitutional authority ernaiating
either from the federal territorial government They
deny the operative effect Of the Topeka constitution
upon which they insist the declaration oi the popular
sovereignty Under the Topeka constitution the existing
rights of those holding slaves respected and pro
ected and Vet the present territorial legislature have,
in violation of this constitution abolished slavery
dtionaly n the Territory not only ia oontravention
thereof but also Of the decision Of the highest Judicial
tribunal Of the nation. And vet they eiamor for the
right of popular sovereignty Ii is thus perfectly demon
stlble the past conduct of the majority tha, under
the OF popular sovereignty they design to exercise
absolute tyranny, irrespective of all constitutions
II the federal government through Its representation,
by OF Congress- authorize the calling of another
convention and the formation by it of another oonsttu
ton does man, acquainted with the proceedings
the majority heretofore in Kansas believe that the popu-
lar sovereignty will be exercised with due regard to the
rights of the minority That, heretofore the rights
Of the minority will be utterly disregarded perfectly
manifest The constitution formed would unquestion-
ably be oious oppressive and vndieve that the sole
effect Of the privilege to make it would be to place the
minority in the attitude Of resistance which the
jority now occupy and thus proloDg dangerous and
growing excitement.
The minority have proceeded under the appropriate
recognised forms Of law in what they have far done
if the majority have allowed them exercise the power
attained by their aches what right have they
complain and upon what principle should the federal
government exercise its authority 10 these posi-
tions Not TO speak of the democratic party how would
the nation be benefited thereby How would the har
mony of the States and the stability of the Union be ad
vanced
In the event OF the resistance Of the minority to con-
stitution imbodyng the present wild idea Of popular
eregnty in Kansasthe right to exercise absolute
restrained powerhow long would the present minority
remain such Like their prairie fires, which put in
motion the winds that fam the flames and extend the
hagration the elements of civil strife would rush in from
every point Of the compass What power would stay the
conflict and what would he its ultimate result
Is il not manifest from these considerations that the
only the wise just and rational solution of the present
difficulty is that enuncated by the President Whatever
difference of opinion exist TO this policy
deny that the mananimy he has displayed in the pres
ent crisis is worthy Of the best days of the republic He
has met the issue openly fairly and decisyey There is
no enabling act that confer such broad powers
reving Kansas into the Union n sovereign State
king her the peer OF the old thirteen What solid foun-
dation there he for objections to this liberal
By il the people clothed with sovereign rights and
can, at once make constitution To suit themselves
Who can carp al this but for factious purposes