The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1868-05-06

1868.
ly that the people had some rights, and
that Congress was bound to respect these
rights. How rhetorically and bitterly ell
oquent he became at the thought Of the
Federal Executive interfering with the
people in the formation of their eonstitu-
ton! He denounced it as usurpation-a
gross outrage and wrong upon the people
of Kansas. Let me read:
Isay such thing is. without precedent
in the legislation Of the country is unau-
rhorized by and in direct contravention of
the Constitution Of the United States.
There is nothing in the constitution Of the
United States which gives colorado au.
thority forsuch legislation. There is moth
ing in the past legislation Of this country
that gives colorado authority for it. 1t is
a simple act Of despotism attempted to be
enacted here by the Congress of the Uni
ted States under cover of that Constitution
which hears the peerless name Of Washing
ton. It were better, sir, that that sacred
instrument should perish as though smote
by the lightning Of heaven than that any
such act as that now proposed should be
placed upon our statute book. WHAT'S it?
Why, that the Congress Of the United
States shall dictate to frcemen that they
shall accept, under pains and penalties, a
bride, and thereby become subject to a
constitution which they never made, which
they abhor, and which they have con-
demned.
Now comes the principle which hold to
be the true one, and which want the gen.
tleman from Ohio, when he makes his
speech to-day, to answer: u
/ say, and I say it without the fear of
contradiction, that the genius. of our Con-
stitution is this: that new State constitu-
lions must emanate from the people with
in the limits of the proposed State, and
from no other source.
He said it with moro eloquenee and
force, / have no doubt, than could.
Sir, what has caused these most remark.
able changes in the views and opinions of
gentlemenq If popular sovereignty was
true doctrine, ifiselfgovernment was right
in 1858, why is 1t not now9 If the people
of Kansas were entitled under our Consti
tuition to frame their own fundamental
law, unawed by Federal bayonets and una
controlled by Federal interference, why
are not the people Of Alabama? Has the
result in Kansas convinced gentlemen Of
their error, answered all their arguments 2
Let the long line Of emigrants fleeing from
the military despotism created in and over
the States of the South to seek an asylum
from the expressions Of Congressional re-
construction in the State Of Kansas con-
clude the answer. The gentleman from
Pennsylvania, Mn. STEvENs] in advocat-
ing confscation, gave utterance to this
most barbarous and inhuman sentiment:
/" If it drives them into exile SO much the
better" would that gentleman and all
those who advocate this and it's kindred
measures Of tyranny, injustice, and oppres-
sion could have heheld only last week, as
described to me by an eye witness, the
scene Of sixty emigrants at the depot Of the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad in Baltimore,
on their way to Kansas, voluntary exiles
from their native homes in North Carolina,
There were old men and young men; there
were women and little Children power.
ty-stricken, sad, and sorrowful band-rest.
ling their emaciated and weary limbs upon
the floor, aud allaying the pahgs Of hunger
upon crusts Of bread. They had seen bet
ter and happier days; they had enjoyed
the Injuries Of life, the blessings Of educa
ton and refinement. But, broken-heartet
and in despair, they had left their sunny
and once happy homes in the South, tn.
i SCENES of their childhood, the birthplace
1 Of their children, and the graves Of thei
ancestors, in the hope to find in free Kan
sas place where they and their posterit,
may hereafter enjoy the blessings Of libel
: ty and freedom from the despotism wIiic
is crushing and destroying their old State
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