New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-02-15

Bu' tltfG II justice no such tllI
small wrong. small wrong contains within Itself
the seeds of al evil
II is further said that the people were factous and
A. they meant at any rate to reject the Leoompton
COT titution il was rg h not Ia give them chance to
40 go But If the Constitution for any reason did not
please them they lad right to reject it, nothing is
so factous minority attempting 10 rule a msorty.
II i said they should be punished for not going TO
the polls the bidding of men who believed TO
be disposed to deiraud them. They TO the polls
the fist moment that they satisfied of any chance
of fair return. even though suffering under great dis
dysntages il the apportonment of representatives
II is said that the people Of Kansas, once admitted
into the Union, may change their Constitution. II
this ia dishonesty said, | will not use the language
which would properly, describe the proposition, IT,
sure il is honestly said BY the President then why
give to the of Kansas reversionary right where
they have a night Of possession Why do wrong,
Elm ply that wrong may be undone II this is ell that
ia intended, if there lies nothing behind this, if
there are indications, of wish 10 perplex the
tonal councils, and so to pave the way for a change
of the national policy or for disunOn then mischief
has been done wantony and gratuitousy the country
il cOpvuiscd by its public authorities for an issue
ludicrous ii is wrong 1t hardly worth the
while to shatter the Democratic party for anything so
naltry But while II is admitted that the submission
Of Constitution TO the people Is the correct prnci
pie Il is saa that fourteen States would be displeased
if this correct principle were to be followed out. Now
the South, in the organic act for Kansas obtained all
that .ked for and the main result has been exactly
what South, m men foresaw. The South has nothing
whatever to gain by the adoption of the Leconpton
Constitutions. 1t present. question of practical adj
vantage TO the South and canuot be pretended that
the admission Of Kansas under it will carry with any
sdyantap e for tie South AZ question on the
of expedieucy il does nothing but injury to the South
the issue prese uted Southern one Is untlmely and
mistaken, uuwise, and anything but national.
And would it wound any at the South less to have
the ne ople of Kansas a. the General Govern
men il out Of the way, undo all that has been done
Is it not respectful to the South to state the case
mapfuy and temporarily and rely on southern mag
| nanini'y and sense OF justice
Again it is said the Union is in danger the Union
is to be dissolved. There no present danger to the
Union The sufferers Of wrong in Kansas have been
almost all Northern mem aud the North has no wish
| 10 desert or dissolve, or weaken the Union.
But il urged the of Kansas are IN rebellion.
The in position Of loGthsome and rejected Constt-
ton IN odd remedy for pretended rebellion which,
as far as know. has no precedent, except in King
George and the British Parliament in l77i. II Gov.
Walker found discontens there the promises OF equity
which he made in the name OF the President quelIed
| rebellion by means of the ballOt-box. The waves
never Use unless the wind blows If the menace OF
the Lecompton Constitution seemed likely to excite
dsu Dances Governor Stanton to bis honor De II SAID,
uled the rising commoon, not by calling IN the Army
of the United States but by peacefully convokng the
legal Ii gislature of the Territory.
There is low no instruction in Kansas; there Is no
rebellion there. Ce to dispute the unQuestlvnable
right Of the majority ard the star o. P peace WI" ss
subside. The Government will not find rebellion
there; let il not provoke one. -
And what contrast between a Governor of a Ter
rory restoring peace through the representatives
of the people and an officer of the General Govern
melt, calling himself President Of a Convention,
taking aI escort from the Army OF the United states
to make his entry into the capital OF Kansas anna
the murmurs Of ITS people.
If to the que ton between the Lecompton Consti-
tuition and the people of Kansas apply the test of
principle, find that the enforcement of that Con
.tituton will be an act of power against right; of
the Amy against the peoples of force against reason;
Of usurpaon against the rightfsl will Of majority
II will be n violation of the fundamental principle OF
free government, which is government by consent 1t
! is directly at war with democracy, whose cardinal
point is the 20 of the people, The supporters OF
the Lecompton Constitution have not one square inch
Of democratic ground to stand upon. constitution
for it's validity needs the concurrence Of the majority
of the people, either silently by general acduescsuce
| or by an appeal to the polls. Shall full ana un-
doubted evidence be required tor deed oil ioot oil
land or gift by will Of shilling! Shall merchant or
banker have power to stop payment OF check fraud
ently held, and shall the people have no power u
stop their servants from sequesterlng their nights
Shall the most insignificant treaty OF Minister Peh
potentary want validity till il is ratified and snail
the highest treaty of the people with themselves DC
made in a corner by their servants without thelr
a,sent? l. form everything and substance nothing
Is appearance everything and truth and right and
reality nothing .
There is not precedent for enforcing Gcons;itution
against the consent Of the people. The principle
popular ratification is sanctioned IN the Mnnes )ta
act. . :,
The President in his annual Message emphatically
declares that the example Of submitting Constitn-
ton to the pe ope is founded correct principe; SO
that hs Instructions to Gov. Walker ON that subject
were properly expressediin unqualified terms.
Again: Congress has power to admit States, bu. no
powfr whatever to make Constitution for a Statei
still less to impose on State Constitution winch
the majority of its people loathe aud reject Inc ten
dency to Capitalization of power in the General GOV.
eminent is rapid and dangerous. We protest
ito f1vfn
excess. The true basis Of political organization De-
tween all parts of the Union was, from its Degnning
the rights of the States, and that basis Offers Tor
the future as it has for the past, the most perfect
guaranty for security and ULI0D.
Redress must come frOn the people of the United
States They in their strength must rem dy the exist
ing evil, by distinct expression OF their Will. Inc
moment il fraught with dangers, watch the adoption
Of the Lecompton Constitution would only aggravate.
departure from the principles on which Govern
ent rests is al evidence OF its decay. The VIOLATION
of the principle Of Popular Sovereignty wastes the
lifeb0od Of the Republic.
Again: in popular Government where the rulers
but servants, anarchy steps IN when pnnclpIe II
forgotten and expediency is made the guide
Again: the concentration Of power IN the haods Oh
Convention ike that of Leconpton Is not an Aheli
can idea. II is borrowed from those rep9oleS "
Europe which not capable OF existing long, lot
the very reason that power concentrated. IL
is derived from the worst examples OF the WORST
periods of revolutionary France when Inhorltles
usurped power over nation by terror anu ioDne''
daring. If the rule of the minority Convention Is now
formally sanctioned by Congress, it will be mosi
dangerous precedent an instrument ofwrsh treasured
up for day OF wrath. We appeal against THIS system
to the whole Democracy of the country we apPeei
all people who love order and justice. and freedom
This city, for its numbers, is the weathest IN Tue
world. call on the men Of wealth In this great Guy
10 take 10 heart the danger OF establishing as pm
cple that majority Of single body, elected TO con-
ventcn perhaps in times of nigh excitement hed as
will sometimes happen, with men desperately daring