The Washington union., 1858-02-24
WuhARps' Iirxr.,

GENTLEMEN. NDa hunOfed with your kind note OF this
Inornng desiring INC to evening when can
Inject my democratic friends of the District and others
Iournag here and give expression my opinions upon
The great public questions Of the day feeingy apprc
e the generous and condng spirit which suggested
compliment gratifying and distinguished and regret to
sdd that while il would afford the highest satsfac
zion comply with your request, the professional
Igagcmcnt which brought here has just been closed
land other calls Of kindred character at home compel me
Ito leave the city.
Our country blessed by bcncGcent Providence with
M the elements calculated to render people prosperous
and happy seems destined to be convuIsed by internal
strife and disfigurcd by domestic discord.
OF all the agitations which have disturbed repose
as people, and arrayed section against another
Ibave regarded, aud still regard, the Kansas question
the most artificial and causeess, originating in great
Idegree in had intentions and worse actions.
For all present purposes shall not consider the crim
nations and rccrininatons which have prevailed the
allegations Of fraud. violence, and which have
gnazed its unhappy history but remark that the evils
Of which its people complain originate in their own
bosom, and that as people they have generally held
and now hold full and ample remedy in their own
hands, and that those who refuse to of the
dearest privileges and highest duties of recmen of
the elective franchise--may indulge morbid grief or
cherish partisan Spleen but should be especial OBJ
jects of sympathy The people of this Union have in
ercsts both foreign and domestic, too mighty and d
crsed to bcstow their tmo and energies and sympathy
considering the details Of local constitutions the
fairness of territorial elections over which they have
| no legitimate influence control Had been men,
Der Of the Lecompon convention would have urged the
| submission Of its constitution WHOLE and in all
its parts to the people for approval rejection But
| ] am unable to perceive upon what possible sound
theory of non Intervention either the President
/ Congress go behind constitution republican in
form and determine whether u people who might
have voted for delegates did VOTE whether the del
eatcs III convention in ncgccng to submit the details
the constitution to the people, obcyed dsrcgarded
the popular will whether the constitution was wise or
unwisc, slave free All these questions belonging
exclusively to the people Of Kansas at all times under their
complcecontro and in which the federal government
not intervene without disturbing the foundations upon
which the popular ccrativc edce rests If Congress may
reject constitution because its details not submit
ted to the people of the Territory itmay in like manner
manifest Its dsapprobaton because they II it may
intervene to compel submission to the people, it may
intervene to prevent submission If 1t may reject
tntion for the sole that it authorizes slavery
reject becasc it docs not and popular sovereignty
lcconics hut another fox fcsisral dcspotism.
The democratic party, through many periods of vcissi-
ide and trial. has proved itself to be the guardian of
the constitution and the Union the of the public
peace and the foe of sectional strife and disunon under
pretcnce presented Its chart is the consttu
on its policy progress In the OF true freedom and
human regeneration. The country looks to it again in
this crisis to put forth it's conservative power and
the last best hope Of man from the evils which
IT, The administration OF its choice, firm in its purpose,
and guided by wisdom and moderation, is devoting its
best energies to procure the admission OF Kansas into the
Union, and thus leave the elements which disturb
tons cpose and arrest its progress to the correction of
those with whom they originate. 1t is gratifying to
perceive That the democracy throughout the Union with
great unanmity aying to the support Of the admin
ution upon this great principle and sustaining it's pol
icy This Kansas question is The nliment Of those who
live aud move and have their being in sectional strife
and they will feed upon il and urge it upon others
long II be made available for partisan purposes
and when It be longer used to stimulate faction
or adorn tale, it will be discarded worthless and all
the caor for Freedom and the rights OF the people of
Kansas will vanish into thin air
No one familiar with the of events doubt
the design the consequences of prolonged existence
Of this controversy nor the importance to the best inter
ests of the country and its institutions that 1t be brought
to speedy coaclson by receiving Kansas at into
the Union. That done the question longer remains
adisturbng element beyond the confines Of the State
Thus limited with the inherent and conceded right OF the
pcoplc to change their constitution at WILL 1t becomes
question Of local and restricted interest and of Of
restricted agitation Beyond that limit while have
been misled by artificial camor the first object of those
politicians who started this issue and seek 10 prolong its
discussion is the overthrow Of the democratic party
and the administration Of its choicc--a party which
is identified with the great interests Of the coun-
try, and which at all periods Of its history has inter-
posed the shield of sound opinion and patriotic action
against the combinations of political enemies and the
assaults of scconalism Let every democrat in and
out OF Congress- reflect upon the consequences If at this
time and under sch circumstances that party and its adj
minsration shall bc broken down. and all the disturb
ing elements at the late presidential contest be again set
in motion; and let him ask himself If he be made
auxiliary to such object and to such consequence
To the citizens of this District loyal to the Union
and its constitutional safeguards am happy to renew
the expressions of my attachment and respect and to
knowledge the qualification it affords to feel that
still live in their recollection May adverse influences
ever prevent from being the great central bond Union
of the States of our glorious republic!
have the honor to be, with high regard, sincerely
yours ID. s. DICKINSON.
JSo. +. ENNIS, Esq
President Washington Democratic Association,
and others.