The Shasta courier., 1858-01-23
The Kansas Imbroglio.

We do not understand Mr.. Buchanan, in his
annual message, as wishing the acceptance of
the Lecompton Constitution by Congress to be
considered as an administration measure. We
understand that he siraply has presented the
case fully to Congress, and given the assurance
that, if Congress sees fit, in its wisdom, to ac-
cept that Constitution, he will not interpose any
objection We understand him, however, to Sc
verely censure the Lecompton Convention. for
having violated T. the great doctrine of popnlar
sovereignty, which is the vital principle of our
free Institutions" for he says that the friends of
the Nebraska Act,
Everywhere throughout the Union, publicly
pledged their faith and honor that they would
cheerfully submit the question of slavery to
the decision of the bona .tde people of Kansas,
reithout any restriction qualification whateve."
That Convention, however, did not submit the
slavery question {" without restriction or quail
fcation,' for they made it condition that, to
vote for or against that institution, the citizen
of Kansas should first vote for the Constitution.
For having acted thus perfdiously, he condemns
the Convention in express terms, but at the
game time expresses willingness to acquiesce
in their action, for the purpose of getting rid of
a question that has too long engrossed the atten-
ton of the people. Indeed he not only condemns
the Lecompton Convention, for having violated
I" correct principles" but suggests how their
wrong-doing may be remedied. We quote from
his message:
"Under the earlier practice of the Govern
ment, no Constitution framed by the Convention
Of a Territory, preparatory to its admission into
the Union a State, had been submitted to the
people. | trust, however, the example set by
the last Congress, requiring that the Constitu-
tion of Minnesota should be subjected to the
approval and ratification of the people of the
proposed State may be followed on future oc-
casions. | took it for granted that the Conven-
ton of Kansas would act in accordance with
this example, founded, as it is, on correct prin-
ciples; and hence my instructions to Governor
Walker, in favor of submitting the Constitution
to the people, were expressed in general and un-
qualified terms"
We infer, then, that Mr. Buchanan does not
wish to make the acceptance of Constitution
which violates what he caMs a 'svital principle
of our free Institutions" an administration mea-
sure. Indeed, nowhere in his message does he
say that Congress is bound to admit Kansas with
the Calhoun or Lecompton Constitution; he does
not-evef recommend it, Il To- ss- u7o the language of
the Louisville Democrat; i; he simply, as we before
stated presents it fully to Congress and there
leaves it.
We have no doubt that few asinine editors
will raise the cry of "treasonl tseasonT'
against those who may decuf it their duty tosus-
tain the position taken by Mr.. Douglas, aud
charge them with going over to the Republ-
cans. They will do this in the face of the fact
that the Republicans and Know Nothings al
ways have opposed the Nebraska Bll-in the
face of the fact that many southern Senators
and newspapers side with the gallant Douglas
in the face of the fact that slavery has moth
ing to do with the matter, but that the ques-
ton is simply, shall the great doctrine of ''pop-
ular sovereignty" which the President has most
forcibly pronounced "a vital principle of our
free Institutions be maintained or violated
Many men believe that they have no right to
think differently from " the powers that be" on
any subject. All such will say cf Democrat
who may not support every measure recommen-
ded by Democratic Executive he is a bolter,
deserter from his party-he opposes the admin
istration and sewers his party ties. And all such
dehners of what constitutes Democrat are
profoundly stupid or exceedingly kDayish. With
equal proprie,y they may pronounce all who
may differ with Governor Weller in regard to
taxing mining claims, or legalizing primary
elections, as opponents of his administration,
aud as enemies of the Democrtic party
However, be the consequences to us what
they may, we heartily endorse the position as
sumed by the Little Giant and those acting
with him-although we shall rejoice with great
JOY if peace be secured even by the acceptance
of the Lecompton Constitution. We approve
the position of Mr.. Douglas because we believe,
in the language of the Richmond Cya) Eaqua-
rer-a paper that is willing for the sake of peace
to acquiesce in the action of the Lecompton
Convention-that
"The priaciple upon which they stand is i'm
pregnable. 1t is neither more nor less than that
The people in this country have the right granted
BY God, and acknowledged by man. TO rule them
seires. 1t is the essence of lf-goyernment-
the only substratnm upon which free insttu-
tions can be solidly and safely built 1t is lib
erty in contradistincton to tyranny-the sdi-
vine right" truly represented in the majesty of
the people, and not counterfeited in the person
OF an impious usurper. Such is our idea of the
principle of popular sovereignty"
Thus says the political schoolmaster who in
our youth directed our mind densocratcward,
and fauphf ms to frna1 in tho na,hs &c r,Tnr
sonian democracy, and thus We repeat = If
this be treason, make the most of it,