The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1860-08-14

Senate against the Free State cause, and
how persstently he refused to give to the
people Of Kansas the right he professed
to give them BY his Nebraska Kansas bill.
Not only this, but it is proven very dis
tinclly that Mr.. DOUGLAS at one time
lent himself TO plot to deprive the peo-
pie of that territory of the right TO vote
upon their Constitution. When Mr..
TooMBs presented substitute for Mr.
! DOUGLASS bill authorizing the people Of
Kansas to form a constitution preparatory
TO its admission AS State, that subsli-
lute contained provision submitting the
Constitution to the people of the Terri
tory for adoption or rejection. A con-
sultation of Democratic Senators was
held at Senator DOUGLASS house, and
Senator BIGLER says that it was there de-
termined to allow no vote upon the Con-
sti'uton by the people of Kansas MIR.
DOUGLAS reported the TooMB'S bill in the
Senate, with the clanse relative TO submis-
sion stricken oM. And in a speech rela-
tive to that bill he said that it was modi-
fed by himself in consultation with Mr.
TooMBs. Here we have the following
facts That Mr. TooMBs presented a
bill authorizing the people OF Kansas to
form State constitution-tha the bill
was referred TO the committee on Terri
tories, Of which Mr. DOUGLAS was chair
man-that when it went to the commit
tee it contained a provision submitting
the constitution TO the people for accept
ance or eJection-that a caucus of Dem
ocralic Senators assembled at Mr. DoUG-
LASS house, and decided it to be mex
pedient to make that submission-that
the next morning Mr.. DOUGLAS returned
the bill to the Senate with the clause for
such submission stricken out-that Mr..
DOUGLAS acknowledged that the bill was
modified by himself and Mr.. TooMBs.-
We say, therefore, that Mr. DOUGLAS not
only opposed the people of Kansas in
their endeayors TO legislate for themselves,
but that, for time at least, he acquiesed
in movement TO deprive them of the
right Of adopting their own constitution.
And yet he claims to be the special apos-
tie Of the principle Of selt-government,
and is clarifying himself continually as
the champion Of the rights of the people
of the territories
But let us look farther. The TooMBs
bill passed, and under it an election was
held for members of a constitutional
Convention. All know how, through an
UNANIMOUSLY partial registration of voters,
and bogus returns, pro-slavery majority
was secured in that Convention. All
know too, that the convention refused to
submit the whole constitution to the peo-
pie. Mr.. DOUGLASS Sentorial term was
shortly to expire, and as this last infam-
Gus sequel to the Kansas outrages, ex-
posed SO plainly as to admit of no denial,
by Gov WALKER. had aroused deeper
feeling Of indignation than was ever be-
fore felt at the North, and threatened po-
litical annihilation to all who endorsed it,
Mr.. DOUGLAS was compelled to come in
to the current to save himself and we
find him warning upon the Lecompton
Constitution because it had not been rat
fled by the people Of Kansas-juot what
he and his fellow Democratic Senators,
in caucus at his own house, had declared
it inexpedient to permit. The result of
that controversy was the passage of the
disreputable English bill. offering a bride
to the people of Kansas if they would
adopt slavery, and enforcing penalty if
they refused. Mr.. DOUGLAS opposed this
bill, also, and all know how great has
been the credit he has taken TO himself
for that opposition. On every stump he
has blazoned it forth as an evidence Of
his great devotion to principle, as a proof
Of his consistency and his sincerity
! But will our readers just turn TO the first
page Of our paper and read the tesimo-
ny OF Mr.. JOHN HICKMAN, one of Mr..
DOUGLASS most faithful followers aud CO.
adiutors at that time Mr.. HICKMAN de-
clares that in a caucus OF anti Lecomp-
ton Democrats, held at Senator BRoDER-
IcK's rooms 10 decide upon the course to
be adopted relative to the English bill,
Mr. DOUGLAS avowed his intention to
support that bill And that il was only
after the gallant HARRIS had protested
with tears against the base surrender, and
the noble BRoDERIcK, swelling with in
dignation, avowed his determination 10
denounce him, that Mr. DOUGLAS con
scented 10 do what he now demands so
much credit for doing He was ready
Ia knnctIa Ia tho Aduiuistratinnr 4 =.