Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-02-26
THE RICHMOND ENQUIRER.

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THE RICHMOND ENQUIRER.
~ RITcmIE & DUNNAvANT:
FRIDAY. FEBRUARY 20, 1855.
THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE KANSAS
QUESTION.
,j.mes Buohanau elected to the Presidency Of
tho United States, rot as Northern man or az q
sontherr man, but a. a statesman whose views Of
public policy were founded 10 honest convictions Of
the rights of both sections and patriot, who ap'
preca.sd the Constitution, and who would administer
the affairs Of the nation with rigid regard for the
interests of the whole country and the true spirit OF
American institutions. We warmly advocated his
election; and confidence in his capacity and pa
t.otism have been increased by almost every act OF
his Administration. He has proved himself skiliul
pilot with steady hand. No man, unbiased oy pre-
JUDGE, can complain that he has manifested par
TALLY for the NORTH or for the South DE mas heid
the scales of Justice even; and has been s~erVed
nethsr to the right hand nor to the lett by any In
uence or agency either Of his enemies or his friends
So far his Administration presents record, which
posterity will turn to for wholesome lessons in the pc.
ltical history Of country. We trust and believe
that it will be the to the end. But in view OF
the policy pursued by some Of the ablest and Elm
cerest supporters Of the President we might trembe
for the consequences not only to the Administration,
but to the Democratic party and the country also'
had we less confidence In the oa!mness, discretion
and forecast of him, who, 10 these perlous tunes,
10 assigned the duty Of subduing the force o: fanat
ci,m, and bringing the Unlou back to its original
eauipoise. few days ago, referred to the fact,
that the Democratic party has arrived at danger
GUS juneture. Its unity must be maintained now, or
in 1860 the Government will BIZ given over to Black
Republicanism; In which event, dissolution Of the
Union would inevitably ensue. And. If every De-
moorat who differs from the Administration In regard
to the proprety of accepting the Leoompon Constr
tuition 10 to be denounced as an euemy by the sdhe-
rents Of the Administration, there will aoon be such
echism in the party a. may leave Mr.. Buchanan but
handful of frleuds-ws mean men who are received
into brotherhood by .hcse wh5 world drive OF
from him every Dsmoc!a: Tao "ppas,s 100 ad.o's-
sion of Kansas without fs1.her conGi"!,s II
seems to us that such course l. scioidsl. II
there we're Democratic dissenting from the Ad-
mnistration on the Kansas question because they
disputed the principle for which the President
contends in regard to it, We would not hesitate 10
pronounce them spostatss from the party. But 1t
there are any suob, not advised OF 1t. Mr.. Buc
hauan maintains the principle of popular sovereign.
ty. And 90 does Senator Douglas. They differ,
however, a. to the proper means Of enforcing it in
Kansas; Just ss the separate denominations of the
Christian church, deriving their tenets from the
same sacred fountain head and aiming to ar
rive at the same happy end, observe differ.
nd al If
religious truth. 1t would be as wise, as reasous.
Die, as just and proper for the Episcopalian to de
nounce the Presbyterian untrue to the teachings
of Christianity, o. for the Baptist to repudate the
Methodist as an infdsl beyond the pale of hope for
future happiness high, as for patriots to be pro.
nounced aders and abettors of abolitonism, simply
because their sentiments a mere measure Of e1pe-
diency are in conflict with those OF their fellow c
1ens and coaborers in the common cause of the con-
stitution, the South, and the Union.
II may be urged that the Administration has staked
its fortunes the Kansas question, that il is fully and
earnestly and sincerely committed to the acceptance OF
the Leoompon Constitutions and that the defeat OF this
its cherished object, whether effected by Democrats
or Republicans, or by both, would be hailed as an
evidence of its weaknesses and forerunnsr OF its
failure. We entertain such idea. We would not
offer such an insult to tho Administration. II de-
feat upon simple question of expediency can so iui'
pair the influence and strength OF the Administration
to leave it at the mercy OF its enemies, either
James Buchsnan's election farce, and the prin-
ciples Of the Democratic party are nothing more than
shifting shadows or the differences that divide the
North and South hang heavily the lip white
lying lightly on the heart We admit neithsr the
Que proposition nor the other. And We deny
that refusal on the past Of Congress to accept the
Lecompton Constitution would DO blow to pros
t.ste the Administration. 1t stands upon basis too
Arm, upon principles sound, to be easily
thrown. Wesay this with disposition to enoour-
age the opponents Of the immediate admission OF
Kansas. On the coutrary,we would, if we could, In
oucs them all to acquiesce In the opinions Of the
President. But ssy it injustice to the Admiuisra
ton and to the Democratic party Our views in relation
&c the reception Of the Lecompton Constitution have
been repeatedly and always unequivocally expressed
A. soon as advised Of the decision OF the Coz
ven,on to refer the slavery clause to the people,
declared in favor fths acceptance Of the Constitution
by Congress. And we s:l stand in tbs same
position. We would have preferred submission of
the whole Constitution for popular ratification re-
lection. But believing tho question of slavery 10 be
the soul Of the subject in dspuethe esscnce Of the
controversy sought to be sstedwe did consider and
s consider the Nebraska act enforced TO it's full n
teut; ard, therefore, we now were at first,
warmly in favor of the immediate admission OF Kan
sas with the Lecompton Constitution. We believe it
10 be the Safest speedest and surest of giving
q quetus to the qucstoni and in fairness believe
it 10 be equal to any other mode that possibly be
adopted We differ from Judge Douglas and from
Governor Wise also.
As We have said, We regard the kapsas act as en-
forced by the submission Of the slavery cause-and,
although there may be contradiction and qualification
IN the sohedale Of the Constitution, still ,hose things
ws think, reflect personally upon the Convention
without at all affecting the legitimacy Of their action
TO which alone Congress has right to look. We
most heartily hope for the admission Of Kansas in the
mode recommended by the President. And whatever
influence this journal may possess If necessary shall be
again. as has been, e1srted TO that end. But STILL
friends of the Administration, and advocates of the
unity Of the Democratic party, protest slanet The
accommodation of Democratic who do not concur
with W 10 this sentiment and work With rs for this
object.
THE ARNORY SCHOOL BILL AND ITS INDEFI.
NATE PosTPoNEMENT.
We begin by sayina, upon this subject, that none
more convinced than We are Of the necessity Of
the Public Guard. Its origin .s duties, lite influences
ito character, and it's fitness for the times. all give an
importance which true citizen of Virginia can
lightly estimate. Yet We have long been convinced
that in addition to the military duties learned by this
corps, there should DO educational feature by
which the truly poor young men Of our State might
be benefited.
The Legislature of our State annually makes large