Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1858-02-11

had no object in view excepting the sll-ab-
sorbing one of slavery. In what manner
the people of Kansas might regulate their
other concerns, was not the subject which
attracted my attention; it was never my
opinion that independently of this act they
would have been bound to submit any Dor
tion Of the Constitution to popular vote
in order to give it validity. Had enter
tanned such an opinion, this would have
been in opposition to many precedents in
our history, commencing in the very best
age of our Republic. 1t would have been
in opposition to the principle which per-
vades our institutions, and is every day
carried into practice, that the people have
a right to delegate to the representative
chosen BY themselves, their sovereign pow
er to frame Constitutions, enact laws and
perform many other important acts with
out requiring that these should be subject
Ell to their appreciation. 1t wilLbe a most
inconvenient limitation of their own power
imposed by the people upon themselves,
to exclude them from exercising their SOW
ereignty in any lawful manner in which
thev think proper. 1t is true that the peo-
pie of Kansas might, if they had pleased,
required the Convention to submit the
Constitution TO a popular vote, but this
they have not done. The only remedy,
therefore, in this case is that which exists
in all other eases. If the delegates who
framed the Constitution have in any man
ner violated the will of their constituents
the people always possess the power to
change their Constitution or laws accord
ing to their own pleasure. The question
of slavery was submitted to the election of
the people on the 2lst of Dec. last, in obe-
dience to the mandate of the Constitution.
Here again fair opportunity was present.
ed to the adherents of the Topeka Consti-
tuition, if they were the majority, to decide
this exciting question in their own way,
and then restore the peace of the distracted
Territory; but they again refused to exer-
else the right of popular sovereignty, and
again suffered the election to pass by de-
fault. heartily rejoice that a wiser and
better spirit prevailed among q large ma
jority of these people on the first Monday
in January, and that they did on that day
vote under the Lecompton Constitution for
a Governor and other State officers, men,
Der of Congress and members of the Leg
islatures.
This election was warmly contested by
the parties and a lager vote polled than at
any previous election in the Territory
We may now reasonably hope that the
rerolut onary Topeka Organization will be
speedily and finally abandoned and this
will 90 far towards a final settlement of the
unhappy differences in Kansas. If frauds
have been committed at this election by
one or both parties, the Legislature and
people of Kansas under their Constitution
know how to redress themselves and pun
ish 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 Or
ganic act, framed q Constitution and State |
Cove nment, have submitted the all i'm |
portant question Of slavery TO the people |
and have elected a Governor, member of
Congress, members of the State Legisla-
ture and other officers, and they now ask |
admission into the Union under this Con- |
Republican in its form, it is for
Congress to decide whether they will ad-
NIT or reject the State which has thus been |
created. For my own part, l am decided
ly in favor OF its admission, thus termina-
ting the Kansas question. This will carry
out the great principle of non-intervention
by the organic act which de-
clarares in express language in favor of the |
of Congress with slavery
in the States and Territories, leaving the
people perfectly free to form and regulate
their domestic institutions in their own way |
subject only TO the Constitution of the U. S. |
In this manner, by locating the question
of slavery and confning it to the people
who are Immediately concerned. Every
patriot anxiously expected that this ques-
ton would be banished from the halls of |
Congress, where it has always exerted a
baneful influence on the country.
Mr. Buchanan further says it has been
adjudged by the highest judicial
tribunal that Slavery exists in Kansas by |
virtue of the Constitution of the United |
States. Kansas is, therefore, at this mo-
ment as much Slave State as Georgia or
South Carolina; without this the eqality
Of the sovereign states composing the Un-
ion would be violated, and the use and en-
oyment of territory acquired by the COM
non treasure of all the States would be
,losed against the people and property of
nearly half the members of the confedera-
y. Slavery, can, therefore, never be pro-
libited in Kansas, except through the
means of constitutional provision, and in
10 other manner can this be obtained so
If the majority of the people de-
ire it, as BY admitting her into the Union
lnder the present Constitution. On the
,ther hand, should Congress reject the
under the idea of affording
he disaffected in Kansas third opportu-
lity to prohibit Slavery in the State which
hey might have done twice before, if in
he majority, no man can tell the conse-
Iuences. If Congress, for the sake of these
men who refuse to vote for delegates to
he Convention, when they might have ex-
luded Slavery from the Constitution, and
Who afterwards refused to vote on the 2lst
f December, when they might, as they
lain, havve stricken Slavery from the
Constitution, should now reject this State
'ecause Slavery remains in the Constitu-
ion, it is manifest that the objection upon
his subject will be renewed in more
farming form than it has ever before as
umed. s....sa.s II