The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-03-11

or decency cab We accent the former and re ect
the latter? The majority tell us that they will
never submit TO this Constit ution-that they
will resist it to the death why violate q sound
Democratic Principle, especially at the hazard
of provoking a civil WARP Let us decline TO
receive this Constitution, request the Pres-
dent to withdraw the Federal troops from Kan
sas, and either pass an act enabling the peo-
pie to hold Convention and form Con-
stitution to suit them, or drop the whole sub
Ject, and suffer them to attend to their own
business in their own way" Let Congress
pursue this course, and what follows? Peace
in the Territory, quiet in Congress, tranquill-
| ty in the country, and the revival of credit
and commerce." the sum and substance of all
that the traders of New York desire. What
an easy thing to do right, if men had rot some
sinister object to accomplish
Now, for the opposite course. You will insist
upon the Lecompton Constitution. Very we'll
take the consequences. Parties are quite evenly
balanced, both determined, both excited. The
struggle will be long and bitter one, deepen
ing anmosities between the South and North,
extending feuds in your Democratic party, en-
crossing the time of Congress, TO tie detriment
of other important business, and generating a
popular excitement anything but favorable 10
trade and credit. If you fsl, what have you
accomplished? The prostration of the Admin
lstration and the overthrow of it's party. And
you will be compelled to do then, in disgrace,
what you may now do with grace, leave the
whole question to the People of Kansas. If
you succeed, what then? Will you have peace
IN the Territory? Mr.. Calhoun holds in his
hands the election returns, and will not declare
them till the result of the struggle in Congress
| be known. IF you succeed, what will be his
announcement? Do you really suppose that
ne will issue certificates of election to the Free
State members, or enough of them to consti.
tute twothirds majority? Or that he will
elect the Free State Governor? He will do no
such thing. But, to alter or amend the Cor
sutution," the great remedy, as you claim, for
all grievances, the concurrence of two.thiras of
both branches of the Legislature will be neces.
sary. Think you that the usurpers who have
committed so many crimes to maintain their
power, will all at once grow virtuous, when
the hour has come TO complete their triumph /?
No-with spurious Constitution, spurious
Government will be thrus. upon the people ::
and are you mad enough to dream that this
Will be measure of paci6cation-that the
People of Kansas will submit? They have
solemnly, under every form Of declaration,
warned you that they will not-that the attemps
to force that Lecompton Fraud upon them they
will resist to the death, whether the attempt be
seconded by the Federal Government or not.
Ihe people there are now resting quiet, under
the Impression that Congress will never put
this resolve to the trial. Garry your Constitu-
ton then, and you have civil war. Mercenary
troops will be sent to shoot down American
citizens. How long in the present state of the
public mind could such C. conflict go on without
enlisting one State after another in the strug-
glef Ana is this the tranquility you seek, ira
ders of New York? Are credit and commerce
to be revived by civil war? How long before
| the bloody conflict in Kansas would react upon
COngreSs2 And is this your prescription for
driving from its halls dangerous and use-
less agita;ion?"
Bot these "solid men" close their series of
reasons III support of the measure, with one
which they evidently regard as the stronges.
of all
Because James Buchanan, the President of
me United States, recommends it. Elevated
10 a position which enables him most accu.
rately 10 ascertain the exact truth, amid the
! pn m hot f,kpo Fo
nsans In that distant frontier of the Union !:
gifted with rare sagacity and long experience
TO foresee and appreciate the dangers which
threaten us; surrounded by a wise and able
Caonet; and animated by patriotism which
no man Will question-he has advised Congress
to meet the existing crisis by admitting Kan
sas into the Union with her present Constitu.
ton. Admiring his courage and decision, and
fully impressed with the conviction that James
Buchanan has 'no other object of earthly am
bitlOn than to leave his country in peaceful
aud prosperous condition, and to live in the
respect and confidence of his countrymen.' we
request our representatives in Congress to fol.
low his wise counssls, and we pledge to him
and to them our untinching support"
Because James Buchanan ommends i'll"
1t is difficult to understand how such toadyism
to Executive power should have been engen-
dered in men born on American soil, unless
by the decentralization wrought by dependence
upon Executive patronage and the exclusive
pursuit of gain. There is but one thing more
for these solid men" to do, and that is, to
resolve that henceforth the great duty of Con.
gress is, TO conform itself in all It's acts to the
:" wise counsels" of James Buchanan, and pro
claim King James the First, By the grace of
God and Slavery!
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