The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1858-05-06
The Effect OF the Debates Oa
EeCO;nDsO9.

Perhaps no subject which has been pre-
sented to the consideration of Congress in
the last thirty years, has been so thorough
Iy and efficiently debated, as that involving
the political rights of Kansas--indeed,
there is scarcely new view of it left to
the ingenuity of members Of either branch
of our national legislature This fact is
not surprising 20 any contomplative mind,
because such a mind Will at once see that
it is the pivot on which is balanced the
future character Of our government
whether laws shall be made by and for
the people, or, by or for the people
whether sovereignty is the right of the
people, or Of their delegated servants.
The effect OF these debates has been to
awaken the masses from the stupor with
which long misplaced confidence in the
integrity of their representative national
ity mas imbued them. 1t is convincing
proof to them that their rights are never
secure in the hands Of their representa-
tiyes, unless jealousy Watched by them
selves; that individuality, as a general,
disrospeGts nationality under any eircum-
stances that involve the distinctive inter
ests of thet two; that corruption and bribery
are fast becoming characteristics of lcgis-
latiye practices, and that there is an un.
mistakable tendency in certain quarters to
overthrow catifcIy tho sovereignty of the
people.
One other happy effect Of these debates
will be to Interest tue masses in the poll
tics of the country, induce them to pay
more attention to the tendency and bear
ing Of the national as we'll as the special
legislation Of Congress, and result in a
more general diffusion Of healthy princi-
pies tnan now exists. Just SO far as the
people inform themselves upon politics,
just so far 90 they place their rights be-
yond the control Of selfish designers. All
mOnarohical governments are unsubstan-
tial when a majority of their subjects be
come NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. monarchies
being founded on the ignorance Of those
governed; and to the same general cause
may be assigned all the failures which
have heretofore resulted to attempts to es
tahiish republican institutions in the Old
World. Wherever constitutional mon
arohies exist, the masses will always be al
variance with the goverains power-as
for Instance, in England. This is natural
inasmSch as the people are wei! enough
Informed to appreciate the right and d.
teot tho wrong,
But we did not set down TO write dis
Sertation on governments, though our cap
ton presents ample scope for long arti
Gle on political comparisons, We, foron
are glad that this issue has been mad
nor, whatever may be the result of tn,
trial of party strength in Congress. ",
believe it will result greatly and grateful,
to the good of the people; and, while i
has warned them Of the danger their right:
are in because Of their own Indifference
it viii also warn politicians Of the danger
of trihing with popular rights. 1t vii
also make each voter sentinel on The
battlements Of his own severe ignty-;
watchful guardian of his own rights in the
future. 1t will also result in the gloriou:
triumph of principle over party, and o.
freedom over slayary-=apd establish tx
triumph Of the principles of the Republi
can party throughout the nation. Goo
grant it may.
An Army Oh Spies.