Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-03-02
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

TIE FORCE ARauMENr.-The members of the
press-Wsshington lettsr-writers for Republi.
can party newspapers for the most part-who
have taken to patronizing Senator Douglas
since his disqualification from the Democratic
party, in their rendition for popular edifcation
OF Douglasiana-scraps Of his current converse
ton on political topics-very generally concur
in representing him as harping upon the plea
that to admit Kansas with the Lecompton Con-
sdtut;on, will be to force it upon her, and to
force the Territory into the Union as State.
Now, whether uttered by the distinguished
Senator from Illinois or any one else, any such
plea is sheer balderdash. She comes to Con-
gress for admission with the Lecompton Consti-
tuition in her hand, clearly adopted in accord
ance with the forms of the law applicable, and
by large majority vote of those of her citizens
who chose to avail themselves of their right to
cast their ballots in the election of delegates for
the Lecompton Convention, who 1.-THE latter
had precisely the same right to submit their
work subsequently to popular vote or not, as
they pleased, as other conventions forming con-
situations for other States of the Union not SUBJ
mitted after formation to the people, had.
The people of q considerable number of the
States Of this Confederacy now live under con-
situations so adopted. Until this case hap
pened, who ever heard disputed the right of
such convention, not otherwise instructed, to
do on this point as the Lecompton Convention
did? Those of the people of Kansas who failed
to vote on the 2lst of December are estopped
by their own act and deed from complaint
against the adoption of the Lecompton Conven-
tons constitution by those of them who did
vote; and we deny, emphaticalIy, the right of
any parties whatever, not of the Territory, to
assume to set up an objection in their behalf
the question being one in which Kansas alone
is lawfully interested, and with which none out
of the Territory have lawful right to meddle.
But it matters not with what kind of consti-
tuition she presents herself to Congress, provided
it be republican. Congress has but one of two
things to do. That is, to admit or reject her,
without reference to the tenor of the constitu-
ton she holds in her hands, provided that be
republican. As for forcing it upon her-that's
sheer nonsense-as nonsensical as the idea of
forcing her In or out of the Union, neither of
which things can Congress do; nor does any
interest in Congress propose to essay any such
legislation. Though none arguing Through
newspapers protesting to speak his sentiments)
that the people of Kansas have no power or
right to change their constitution at the will of
a majority, Senator Douglas has, up to this
time, been a firm believer in the doctrine of
the supremacy Of the will Of the people of
State at any time and under all circumstances
His views Of popular sovereignty in Territories
have been consistent, up to this time, and of
the most extravagant kind. Suddenly, how
ever, he finds it convenient, it appears, to
change them; if those who may fairly be sup
posed to speak his sentiments are to be relied
on as induces of his current opinions.
Well, the question is, simply, does the change
of front of the distinguished Senator from ILL
nois as thus indicated, change either the facts
or the law applicable We do not think 50.
A State of the American Confederacy is a SOW.
ereignty amenable to no power on earth for
what a majority of her people may do with ref
erence to their local law. If we are wrong.
will some one differing with us in opinion please
TO point out whore the outside power to inter-
fere with them on such point may be lodged?
Certainly the Constitution of the United States
confers it neither on the General Government
Union.
If, as alleged by the Topekaites and their
aiders and abettors here, the friends of the
LecomptOn Constitution are in a minority in
the Territory-and, as we show above, no power
outside of the Territory can lawfully interfere
with the act of the majority in altering that
instrument,-is it possible that her admission
into the Union with the Lccompton Constitu-
ton in her hand can operate as ''forcing' that
organic law upon her people? Or, in other
words, is it possible that her admission int the
Union upon or with it, can compel her people
to live under it ninety days after majority
OF them shall determine otherwise? He who
thinks so knows little, indeed, Of the force of
popular opinion under our institutions. Under
such circumstances, what sane man fails to
comprehend that the plea that to admit Kansas
into the Union, as she applies for admission,
will be to force her people to live under organic
law distasteful to a majority of them, is utterly
without foundation?
The BALL AT THE POSTMASTER GENERALS.
Below will be found an enthusiastic and bril-
liant account of the ball that came off last
week at the elegant and hospitable mansion of
the Postmaster General in this city. It is from
the pen Of literary gentleman, who is also a
professional artist, which accounts for the so
bright colors in which he paints such scenes
for the press. Our literary taste and capacities
not being in that line, we gladly avail our
selves OF his so much more competent pen in
this case, by way of giving the Stars distant
readers an idea Of fashionable entertainments
IN the federal metropolis this winter:
The BALL PAR ExcELLEscE-The residence
OF Postmaster General Brown, on Thursday
night Of last week, was the scene of one Of the
most brilliant fetes, at which the elite of Wash.
ington society, both resident and transient have
oeen assembled during the carnival Of this CAV
winter at the Metropolis
The ball to which allude, and which would
IAN oescIi De were poet painter Of all the graces
beautiful add accomplished daughter, Miss Saun.
defs, who, with tie gTaces inherited, and ac-
I'm m tN-t Anf. 4