Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1858-02-13

violated the will of their copsiuents, the
people always possesses the power to change
their Constitution or laws, according 10
their own pleasure. /
The question of slavery was submitted
TO the election Of the people ot Kansas on
the 21st of December, last iu obedience to
the mandate of the Constitution, Here
again fair opportunity was presented to
the adherents Of the Topeka Constitution,
if they we're in the majority, to decide this
excl ing que ston tin their own way and
thus restore peace to the distracted Terri
tory. But they again refused the right CT
popular sovereignty, and again suffered
the election TO pass in default.
/ heartily rejoice that wiser and better
spirit prevailed among large majority Of
these people on the first Monday in Janu
ary, aud that they did that day vote under
the Lecompten Constitution for Governor
and other Sta lie officers, member of Con
gress, and members Of the Leg stature
This election was warmly contested by both
parties, and larger VOC was polled than
at any previous election in the Territory,
We may now tedsonably hope that the rev
oIulionary Topeka organization will be
speedily and finally abandoned, and this
will 60 FIR towards The final settlement Of
the unhappy differences in Kansas. If
! frauds have beeu committed at tn election
by oue or both parties, the Legislature and
the people CT Kansas, under the Constltu
ton, know how to r. dress themselves, and
punish these detestable, but too common
crimes, without outside interference.
The people of Kansas have then, "in
their own way" and in strict accordance
with the organic act, framed Constitu-
ton and State government, have submitted
the all-important question of slavery t, the
people, and have elected q Governor, men,
Der of Congress, members of the State Lee
| gislature, and their State Officers. They
now ask for admission into the Un.on,
under this Constitution which is republi-
can Id lis form. 1t is for Congress 10 de-
eide whether they will admit or rejec. the
State which has thus been created. For
my own part am decidedly in favor OF
its admission, and thus terminating the
Kansas question. This will carry out the
great principle of non intervention, recog-
nized and sanctioned by the organic act
which de- lares in express language in favor
Of the non-ntervention of Congress with
slavery in the States and Territories, u
leaving 'the people perfectly free to form
and regulate their domestic institutions in
their own way, subject only to the Consti-
tuition OF the United States" In this
manner, by localzing the question Of sla-
very and copfning it to the people who arc
Immediately concerned, every patriot ex-
pected this question to be bauished from
the halls of Congress, where it has always
excited balcful influence throughout the
country. 1t is proper that ] should refer
to The election held under the act of the
J Territorial Legislature, on the first Mon
! day in January, on the Lecompton Con
| stiution. This election was held after the
| Territory had been prepared for admission
into the Union as sovereign Sac, aht
, when no authority existed in the Terrific
rial Legislature, which could possibly des
troy its existence or change its character
f The election, which was peacefully y conducted
under my instructions, involved a strange
inconsis on"y. A large majority OF the
, persons who voted against the Lecomptor
, Constitution, were, at the same time and
3 place, recognizing its valid existence in tn
s most lomn end authentic manner, by 70
ting under lis provisions. | have as ye
> received no official information OF the resul
. OF this election.
= As question cf expediency, after IL,
f right has been maintained, it NAV be wis
t to reflect upon the benefits to Kansas ant
r to the whole Union, which would .esul
: from irs immediate admission into the Uni
/ on, as we'll as the disasters which may fol
i. low its rejection. Domestic peace will b.
v the happy consequence of its admission
:. and that fine Territory, hitherto torn b
e dissensions, will rapidly increase in popu
It lation, and wealth, speedily realize th
e blessings and comforts which follow ayr
i cultural and mechanicle industry. Th
= people then will be sovereign and ca
It regulate their own affairs in their own way
g If the majority of them desire to abolis
/ domestic slavery within the State, there
ro other possible mode by which it can
1t effected so speedily as by its prompt al
J. mission. TIE will Of the majority is 81
/ preme and irresistible, when expressed OF
3. derly and in lawful manner. 1t can III
t, make Constitutions at pleasures. 1t woul
e be absured to say they can impose fettel
e upon their own power, which they cam
II afterwards remove II they could do tli
d they might tic their own hands for an hui
q drad rs fct ten years. These are the ful
s. damental principles of American freedom
of and recognized in some form by every sta
J. Constitution, and if Congress in the a,
lr CT admission should think proper to r
to oognize them, | can perceive no objecto
10 This has been dome emphatically in II
q Constitution Of Kansas. 1t declares in Il
D. Bill of Rights, that "all political power
y iu-heront in the people, and all free go
g ernmeuts are founded on their authorit
b. and instituted for their benefit, and ther
st fore, they have at all times the inalienab
er and indeieasible right to alter, reform
to abolish their form of government, in SUI
.y manner as they may think proper" I'll
TX great state Of New York is at this nome
a. uOvernnd npdnr a Constitution i-on,ad