The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1858-03-17

vention, bya majority vote, in violation of
| the Constitution under which its members
we're elected, and which they were sworn
to support.
The President can perceive no objec-
ten to this; but what right has Congress
to intervene aud annul, alter, or even con-
strue the provisions of State Constitu-
ton, and license the members of the Leg
isaturc to disregard their sworn obliga.
tions to support the Constitution, under
which they hold their Offices?
When a Constitution has once become
the supreme law of State. what lawful
manner is there of changing it. except
the one provided and permitted by the
Constitution? N4r 1 st
l agree with tho President that there
are two ways Of doing this; but one is
lawful, and the other revolutionary. Sup
pose the line of policy indicated by the
President is pursued, and Kansas admit
ted under the Lecomptsn Constitution,
what relief will it be to the oppressed
people, unless Mr.. Calhoun should set
aside the fraudulent returns from Delaware
Crossing AID Kickapoo, in order to insure
majority in both branches of the Legis-
lature in favor of an immediate change?
1t is worse than mockery to talk about
the right of the Legislature to make a
change at its very FIRST session. Mr.. Cal
houn's returns have not yet been declared,
though more than 9 month has passed
since the election. Any argument or
proposition founded on the idea that the
people of Kansas will have the opportu-
nifty of changing the Constitution by
peaceful means through the Instrumental
lity of the Legislature, must prove delu-
sive. Should the deed be consummated,
their only alternative will I've submission or
revolution Revolutions ere sometimes
peaceful, and sometimes bloody; do the
history Of the Lecompton Constitution,
the character and purpose Cf the men en-
gagged in the movement furnish US assn.
rance that they will permit their power to
: be subverted? They will demand the pro.
lection of the Federal Army, or should i,
. be made judicial instead of politica
question, would not that court be com
T nelled to decide that the Constitution
having once become the fundamental Law
of the State, must be obeyed, as such unit
. changed7 @
. Should there be two State government
, in Kansas, one organized under the LIE
J compton Constitution, aud the other es
, tablished by the people, which will tn
) President recognize as valid, aud whicI
(: will he denounced as revolutionary gov
t ernment, adhered to with such "reasonabl
& pertinacity as to make it his duty, unde
RI the Constitution of the United States
4 to put down sEinsurrection and crus
r out the rebellion with the Federal troops
: It is Important that this question shoul
e be determined in order that the people q
e Kansas may know how they are to exer
e else that great indefeasible right of whic
:, the President speaks when he says: THE
can make and unmaks Constitutions 9
$ pleasure" Il. s. s.,,..s, f..5..s
III Does he mean that inalienable right {
/, revolution to which every people may rs
d sert, when their oppression is intolcrabl
y and submission is q less evil than resis
ance? IF SO, / fear that the bright antie
n pations of the President would not /
!. fully realized when he imagines that ii
Z speedy admission Of Kansas into the Unio
a under the Leeonpton Constitution 'woul
,e restore peace an quiet to the whole coul
a try aud enable him to withdraw II
d troops of the United States from Kans;
m and employ them on branches of the Sc
a. vice where they are much needed"
How the Majorewas Busted.