The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1858-04-12
Bright and Lecompton Democ.
Hacy.

Bright and Lecompton Democ.
Sacy.
The New Albshy Ledger, . sound
Democratic paper. that has always sup
ported the principles and men of the
party, makes the following comments on
the strange kind Of Democracy pro-
claimed in Senator Bright's speech on
Lecompton;sm. We commend it to the
careful attention Of our readers as an
exposition of the strange principles sus-
tanned by Bright and his organs under
the name of Democracy. Mi. Bright
has not confluence in the People, to allow
them to decide upon the character Of
their fundamental laws:
/. is scarcely necessary that we should say
that we do not dgree with Mr. Bright in his
position. We differ from him, and we are
sire he will not esteem is the less for saying
30 honestly and candidly, but decidedly.
For Mr.. Bright's sake, and for the sake Of
the Democratic party of Indiana, we regret
that Ire should have rrade this speech. II
can do neither any good, and We fear may
work mischief to BOTH.
1t will bs seen that or Senator, in his de-
fence Of the Lecornpton schedule, goes farth-
| or than any other Senator-certainly farther
than any other Nortksrn Scnator-in igner-
| ing the right of the people 20 pass upon the
| work Of their servants; lie takes the bold
ground that constitutions sSoGld not be sub
mitted to the people at all for their approval
or disappro va1-that tbs work cf TIE con-
vention should be regarded as final and bind
ing, and that after they have passed upon it,
it is the duty of the people to obey. In this
respect Mr.. Bright places the provisions of a
constitution in the same category with the
enactments of Legislature, and seerIs to
think that the one can be, or ought to be, as
liable to change or repeal as the other. This
is not our view Of the subject, nor do we
| think it is tho view Of the masses of the peo-
pie. A constitution is an instrument which
ought to be more sacred, moro stable, les:
subject to change than simple Legislative
enactment.
On one account, however, We are not sorry
that this speech Of Mr.. Bright's has beer
made. We think it will awaken the peopl,
to true sense Of the danger to our popula
institutions in the passage of the Lccomp
ton bill. 1t is evident that there are thos
! among us who think the people arc not to b
trusted, EXCEPT THROUGH THEIR REPRESENTA-
fIvEs, with political power. The discussion
on this measure have shown that, whatcve
may be their theory, in PRACTICE they ar
| not willing that the people shall be investe'
with any power DIRECTLY. 1t is only whe
filtered through representatives that they ca
have any say so in the formation of their OF
3 ganic laws. Twu-thirds Of the Lccompto
9 party in the House have already voted tbs
1 the constitution. framed at Lecompton
:, binding upon the people of Kansas till Is6.
u though never sanctioned by them, bat on Il
contrary expressly repudiated. There ca
: be no r1istahlug the tendency of the time
There Is an evident Wish to clothe the repre-
sentativcs with an odor Of sanctity, and
sxalt him above those whose servants he HI
generally been regarded. We regret to 81
= so good a Democrat rs Senator Bright LEND
ing his aid to such antiDemocratic doctrin
1t is in direct conflict with the doctrine
@ the Nebraska bill, rs interpreted by tho la
Indiana Democratic Convention and Il
masses of the Democratic party.
,fI Mr.. Bright is bold man and he has tax,
bold position in this speech. Hovev
i much We are compelled to differ from hi
/. We cannot but admire tho courage wi
which he has avowod his sentiments or I'll
Q question.
y His courage is piece Of despsra
= hardihood-a defiance Of the people
j. that will end his political career.