The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-02-01
The Lscompton Constitution-The Democra.
cy-The North. the south. and the Union.

cy-The North, the South, and the Union.
That hitherto Mysterious little paper at W ash
ington. The States, has at length definitely taken
its position on the side of Mr. Senator Douglas.
In this view, we publish to day its leading ar
ticle Of Friday last, touching the admission Of
Kansas under the Lecompton constitution. and its
probable effect on the future of the democracy"
II is an appeal, however, against the acceptance
of that constitution, which, we think, may be
very readily answered
First, We are told that .-Gov. Denrer's pro-
clamation to the people of the Territory, show
ing that there is majority Of ten thousand Of
the bona .fds voters Of the Territory against the
Lecompton constitution, is the first well authen-
ticated evidence we have that the people OF
Kansas are almost unanimously opposed to it,"
Well, what Of that Must we not still abide by
the law: The election of the 2lst of December
was the only one legally applicable in the mat
ter Of the ratification Of said constitution, and
If that election was carried by default In behalf
of slavery the responsibility lies with the peo-
pie who refused to vote. That il all. The sub
sequent January election was O day or
two after the fair. II may prove that
there If "a majority Of ten thousand Of the bona
fde voters Of the Territory against said con-
stitution; but the fact is Of no legal value in the
case. II Is eie majority Of regular election,
and not Of an irregular one, that is decisive
But this January vote Of ten thousand majority
j. still valuable AZ q proof conclusive that
Though admitted under the Lecompton constitu-
ton, Kansas. to all practical intents and pur-
poses, can he nothing but a free State. Why.
then. should Northern democrats tremble and
turn pale when brought face to face with the
mere abstraction OF slavery in this case?
Our Washington contemporary assures us that
"a large majority of the Northern democracy is
opposed to the Lecompton constitution, on the
ground that the people Of Kansas, who have the
right TO choose their own institutions, arc oppos-
ed to it, This We think. l. premature deca-
ration. The democracy of the North and the
democracy Of the South arc awaiting the action
Of Congress aud the practical consequences
thereof. Let The Lecompton constitution 80
accepted. and LET Kansas. as she win 20 very
shortly thereafter, appear before the world a
free state, TO all intents and purposes. and the
Northern and Southern democracy. and the
masses of the conservative people Of all other
parties. will be content, sod thus the occupation
Of the Kansas agitators will he gone.
But our Washington oracle OF Mr.. Douglas
reioins that " tho admission Of Kansas in def
ance of the expressed will Of its people will, &C
cording to the reported returns, bring into the
Senate Of the United states two black ror,ibli.
can senator's" We arc not ~ sure Of yLat
Mr.. John Calhoun has not yet rendered in his
final report. But il. with the Lecomuton con.
stitution, We do admit two black republican
senators, will the rejection Of that constitution
keep them out W. think not And 20. when
We can do no better We must even b. content to
take thing AZ We find them the sweet and the
bitter together. Ah. yes. But then we are ad.
moni-hed that "if We arc 10 draw any infer.
ences from the prevailing opinion at the North.
the democracy there must he prostrased for
some years by the admission Of Kansas under
such circumstances" But again, We beg leave
10 take a wholly different view Of the subject
Admit Kansas technically a. a slave state
what will there be In this FOR Northern agita-
lion II She Immediately thereafter IN Kansas