Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1858-02-17

thought OF any other question. FOR my o"
part when | instructed Gov. Walker in gen
eral terms, in favor of submitting the Consti-
tuition to the people, I had no object In vieI
except the all-absorbiug question of slavery.
la what manner the people might regulate
their own concerns, was not the subject which
attracted my attention In fact. the general
provisions of the recent State Constitutions,
after an experience of eighty years, are so
similar and excellent that it would be difficult
to go far wrong at the present day, in fra
ming new Constitution.
/ then believed, and still believe, that un-
der the organic act, the Kansas Convention
were bound to submit this all important ques-
ton of slavery to the people. 1t was never,
however. my opinion, that, Independently of
this act, they would have been bound TO sub
nit any portion of the Constitution to the
popular vote, in order to give it validity
Had [ enter tanned such an opinion, this would
have been in opposition TO many precedents
N our history, commencing in the very best
age of our Republic 1t would have been in
opposition to the principle which Pervades our
institutions, and is every day carried into
practice, that the people have the right to
delegate to representatives, chosen by them
selves, their sovereign power 20 frame Con-
stitutions, enact laws, and perform any other
important acts, without requiring that these
should be subjected to their subsequent ap-
probation. 1t would be most inconve nieDt
limitation of their own power. imposed by the
people upon themselves, to exclude them
from exercising their sovereignty in any law
ful manner they may think proper. 1t is
true, the people of Kansas might, if they had
pleased. required the Convention to submit
the Constitution 70 the popular vote. Bnt
this they have not done. The only remedy.
therefore, IN this case, is that which exists in
ali other similar eases. If the delegates, who
framed the Kansas Constitution, have in any
way yioleted the will of their constituents, the
people always possess the power to change
their Constitution o. laws, according to their
own pleasure.
TIE question Of slavery was submitted to
an election of the people of Kansas on the
2lsr OF December last, in obedience to the
mandate of the Constitution. Here again a
fair opportunity was presented to the aiher
ents of the Topeka Constitution, if they were
the majority. to decide this exciting question
in their own way" and thus restore peace
to the distracted Territory. But they again
refused the right of popular sovereignty, and
again suffered the election 10 pass by de-
fault.
,
spirit prevaild among large majority of
thcse people on the first Moniay in January,
aud that they did that day vote under the
Lecompton Constitution for Governor and
other State officers, member of Congress and
members of the Legislature. This election
was warmly contested by parties, and larger
vote was polled than at any previous election
in the Territory. We may now reasonably
hope .he revolutionary Topeka organization
will be speedily and iually abandoned. and
this will 90 far toward the final settlement of
the unhappy differences in Kansas. If frauds
have been committed at this election. by one
OF both parties, tue Legislature and the people
oil Kansas, under the Constitution. will know
how to redress themselves, and punish these
detestable, but too common crimes, without
auy outside interference
The people of Kansas have then, Sin their
| own way" and In strict accordance with the
! organic act, framed Constitution and State
I government, have submitted the all-impor-
| tant question of slavery to the people, and
! have elected Governor, member to repre-
sent them in Congress-, members of the State
Legislature, and other state officers. They
! now ask admission Tito the Union, under this
/ Constitution, which is republican in its form.
| 1t is for Congress to decide whether they will
admit or reject the State which has thus been
created For my own part, | am decidedly
! in favor of it's admission, and thus termina-
ating the Kansas question. This will carry
out the great principle of non-intervention
recognized aud sanctioned by the organic &C;
which declares in express language in favor
of the non-iEtelyentioR of Congress with sla-
very in the States and Territories" leaving
the people thereof perfectly free to form and
regulate the domestic institutions in their OWL
way, subject only 10 the Constitution of the
United States" IL this manner, by locali,
zing the question of slavery and coufnlng il
it to the people who are Immediately con
cerned, every patriot anxiously expected thi;
question to be banished from the halls o.
Congress, where it has always exerted bale
ful influence througout the country. 1t i:
proper that should refer briefly to the elec
| ton held under an act of the Territorial Leg
| islature, on the first Monday in January last
on the Lecompton Constitution Thus election
was held after the Territory had been pre-
pared for admission into the Union as soy
ereign State, and when no authority existed
in the Territorial Legislature, which coult
possibly destroy its existence or change it
character The election, which was peace
fully conducted under my instructions, invol
we'd a strange Inconsistency, A large major
ity of the persous who voted against the LIE
compton Constitution, were, at the very sam
time and place, recognizing its valid existenc
in the most solemn and authentic manner b
voting under its provisions l have as ye
received no Official information of the resu
of this election.
AS question of expelicncy, after the rigt
has been maiutainad, 1t may be wise to It
feet upon the benefits to Kansas and to tn
, whole country, which would, result FROM Ii
immediate admission into the Union. as We
, as the disasters which may follow its rejection
Domestic peace will be the happy consequenc
of its admission, aud that fine Territory, hIf
arto form hy dissenSions will rapidiv iDcreas