The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1858-12-15

into the Union under the Lecompton con-
stitution, the Legislature might, at its
very first session, have submitted the ques.
ton to vote of the people, whether they
would or would not have convention to
amend their constitution, either on the sla-
very or any other question, and have adop-
ted all necessary means for giving speedy
effect to the will of the majority. Thus
the Kansas question would have been i'm
mediately and finally settled.
- Under these circumstances, submit
ted to Congress the Constitution thus
framed, with all the officers already elec-
ted necessary to put the State govern.
ment into operation, accompanied by q
strong Recommendation 10 favor of the ad-
mission of Kansas as u State. In the
course of my long public life never per.
formed any Official act which, in the re-
Prospect, has afforded me more heartfelt
satisfaction. Its admission could have
inflicted no possible injury on any human
being. while it would, within brief per-
liod, have restored peace to Kansas and
harmony to the Union. In that event
the slavery question would ere this have
been finally settled, according to the legal
| ly expressed will of majority of the
voters, and popular sovereignty would
thus have been vindicated in constitu.
tional manner. i: ...H sesf
With nay deep convictions of duty, I
could have pursued no other course. 1t
is true, that, as an individual, had ex-
pressed An opinion, both before and du.
ring the session Of the convention, in fa.
vor Of submitting the remaining clauses
of the constitution, as well as that con-
cerning slavery. to the people. But ac-
ting in an official character, neither my
self nor any human authority had the pow.
er to rejudge the proceedings of the con-
vention, and declare the constitution which
it had framed to be a nullity. To have
done this would have been violation oi
the Kansas and Nebraska act, which left
the people of the Territory perfectly free
to form and regulate their domestic institu
tions in their own way, subject only to the
Constitution of the United States" II
would equally have violated the great
principle of popular sovereignty, at the
foundation of our institutions, to deprive
the people of the power. if they thought
proper to exercise it, of eonfding to dele.
gates elected by themselves the trust OIL
framing constitution, without requiring
them to subject their constituents to the
trouble, expense and delay of q second
election. 1t would have been in opposi
tion to many precedents in our history
commencing in the very best age of th,
republic. of the admission Of the Terrific
ries as States into the Union. without ,
J previous vote of the people approving thei
constitution. @. s.ss
1t is to be lamented that question s,
insignificant when viewed in its practi
cal effects on the people of Kansas, wheth
er decided one way or the other, shoul,
have ,kindled such flame of excitemen
throughout the country This reflection
may prove to be lesson OF wisdom ant
of warning for our future guidance.
. Practically considered, the question i
simply whether the people of that Terri
tory should first come into the Uniol
and then change any provision in thei
constitution not agreeable to themselves
or accomplish the very same object b,
, remaining ont of the union and flaming an
, other constitution in accordance with thei
!. will In either case the result woaid b
precisely theJsame The only differenc
in point of fact is. that the object woul
:. have been much sooner attained, and tn
, paci6cation of Kansas more speedily ei
!, fected7 bad it been admitted as q Stat
: during the last session of Congress as-
Ny recommendation, however, for th
: immediate admission of Kansas, failed t
: meet the appreciation of Congress The
deemed it wiser to adopt different mes
sure for the settlement of the question. =
: For my own part, should have been vii
ling to yield my assent to almost any cor
stitutional measure to accomplish this OF
: ject. l.: therefore, cordially acquiesce
:. in what has been called the English Con
promise, and approved the "Act fpr th
admission of the State of Kansas into til
: Union," upon the terms therein prescri
: bed. - 81 9Jaos ~ @H - @
Under the ordinance which accomps
MED the Lecomp.on Constitution, the pee
pie of Kansas had claimed double th
the quantity of public lands for the sur
port of common schools. which had ere
been previously granted to any State up
: on entering the Union; and also the q
. |ternate sections of land for twelve mile
on each side of two railroads, proposed {
y be constructed from the northern to th
southern boundary, and from the easter
; to the western boundary of the State. :
Congress, deeming these claims unreasor
o able. provided by the Act of May 4, 1856,
, to which have just referred, for the az
e mission of the State on an equal footin
with the original States, but "upon fund,
r mental condition precedent" that ms
jority of the people thereof, at au slectio
: to be held for that purpose, should,
y place of the very large grants of publ
lands which they had demanded ands
Il 4 =