3Jruiorrnt & gmtinrl.
c.
JIIKRAY, Kdllor n Pwbtuher.
EBENSBURG.
WKl) N KSDAY MORXIKG::;;:.::: : MAUCH 3.
. THE MEETING.
r..mmMits with rccard to the meeting we have
room for this week. We will refer to the sub
ject agaiu next week.
ANTI BUCHANAN MEETING. .
The Anti Lecompton meeting last night piovcd
ft perfect fizzle. The bell was "tolled" at the
proper hour, but no persons were seen wending
their way to the Court House. The people treat
ed the matter with silent contempt. The lea
ders of the Disorganize I finding that they
couTdo't get a respectable crowd together tolist-
en to their denunciations ad abuse of the Chief
Magistrate of the Republic, finally determined to
let the matter pass by default.
For the purpose of showing how the signatures
to the call in the last "Mountaineer". were obtained
DEMOCRATIC MASS MEETING.
In pursuance of a call of tho Chairman of the
Couuty Committee. tha Democracy of Cambria
County met in Massmeeting, attneuri noufcc
in the borough of Ebensburg, on jionaay even
ing the 1st inst. The meeting was callelto or
der by the Chairman of the County Committee,
and on his motion Gcu.Joscph McDonald was
called to the Chair.
The follawing Vice Presidents and Secretarys
were then appointed:
Vice Presidents. Michael Maguire, George
Del any. Joseph Mardis, David Brawley, John
Mc Bride, James Shanon, Ueo.
Eend A cealiticn proposed.
A Convention of Delegates representing the
City of Philadelphia, and many of the coun
ties of this Common wealth, assembled at
Hert'a Hotel, Ilarrisburg, on Monday Feb.
22d inst.
The Convention was organised by appoint
ing John Adams Fhher. Esq., of Dauphin
county as Chairman, and Geo. S.King, Esq.
of Cambria county, aa Secretary.
After such organization, and a Urn and tree
AMDMISSION OF KANSAS.
In Senate, February 24th.
Mr. Buckalew, from the Select Committee
to which was refered certaiu resolutions re
lation to the admission of Kansas iuto theU-
nion as a State, made the following report:
That the Committee, iu Addition to report
ing back to the Senate the resolutions refered
to them the one with a recommendation that
it be indefinitely postponed, and the other iu an
amended form -deem it proper to ftate the
d Brawley, John interchange of opinions among the Delegates, I grounds upon which their action is founded.
kiigiebach,- Jos. tQ following Preamble and Resolutions were I So pertenacious and vehement have
been
Hoge, James Luther, Jacob Kibler, Charles Gill, j 1tr.iu--j Pea(3 fuliv discussed. adoDtedland the efforts to render this mcatUrc of admis-
f"1"7!1!1 Job Crl: Q" P n Si,ie" ordered to be published. sian obnoxious and unpopular, and bo much
Ghws John F. Barns, Conrod Sui pes, U. olneis, r n . ., , , r r e .
Dr. Wm. Gwio. Wm. Johnston, James McClos Whereas, It is desirable that al those op- is the peace and harmony of the country in-
koy, Edward Farren, John Bradley, Henry Top- posed to the misrule of the atioual Adraims- volved in a correct understanding of it, that
per, John G. Given, Sam. n.- Gray, Franeis
Bearer, l'eter Dougherty, John bhorbaUh, . i
wc publish the following cards. In fact we George, Jeremiah McGonigle.
traticn. and especially to its atrocious attempt I your committee believe that some examina-
" . r. 1 -. . . . . ..
to force Slavery upon Kaneas against the will I tion of the subject in the Legislature, to be
We set down for the purpose .f writing this
article with fellings of pride- and pleasure, for
wc feel that we hae leen sustained by the DE
MOCRACY of Cambria. All honor we say, to
'that veteran democrat, August iu Durbin, and the
fearle - champion of democratic principles, Gen.
Joseph M'Donald. When demagogues and Tac
tionista have strutted their buiy hour on the
Mage and have become either Know Nothings or
Mack Republicans; Augustiu Durbin and Jo
seph M'Donald will be recognized as the fearless
champions and defenders of the men and princi
ples of the Mountain Democracy. The meeting
would not have been called but for the call con
tained in the last "Mountaineer" f,r a meeting
on Tuesday evening. We dim ted the attention of
ur readers in the lat number of our paper to an
article in the Pittsburg "Dispatch," which affor
ded grounds for more than a suspicion that a
ueetinz would be held this week for the purpose
of disorganizing the Democratic party ' and de
nouncing James Buchanan. The appearance of
the "Mountaineer" last Thursday evening con
firmed our suspicions, ami proved that the Know
Nothing correspondent of the "Dispatch" was a
prophet. It contained a call for a meeting in the
following words :
It having been proclaimed, in various parts
of this State, that the Democracy of Cambria
county are in favor ot the adinissun oi iaut
under the Lecompton Constitution, the under
signed, belLeviug that the Democracy of 'Cambria
have been grossly misrepresented in reference to
their views on this important quest.on, hereby
uive notice, that a meeting of the Democrats of
Cunbria, who are in favor of the unqualified
debt of the people of Kansas to adoj't or reject
their constitution at the ballot-box, and who be
lieve that the riyht of the majority to govern,
.vill be Tiol.itcd and destroyed by the admission
of Kansas under the Lceomptou Constitution,
will be held at the Court Holsk in Kuknsbckg,
on Tcesdat, Evesinu the 21 of Mahch nest, at
euly candle-lighting. Our friends throughout the
c mntry, who concur in these views, are invite!
to be present, so tnat the Mountain Democracy
may no longer ba misunderstood or misrepre
sented. J-;bcir burg, Feb. -!0, 1858.
t v-;U 1... received that the above is a "tno
I have conversed with scarcely a man who signed
the call who did not acknowledge that he had
been humbuged. Many supposed they were sign
ing a call for a Democratic instead of an Auti
Lecomptou Meeting, others that it was a R c
monstrance against Pine County. The following
Cards are from as respectable men as this county
contains. Read the Cards; they speak tor tltm
selves.
A CARD.
To the Editor of the Sentinel. Sir. haying
seen my name signed to a call for a meeting,
to be held at the Court House, on Tuesday
the 2nd inst, for the purpose of expressing
opposition to the policy of President Buchan
an &.C., t would say that my name was used
without my consent, and a I "have no tear's
to shed for bleeding Kansas I take this pub
lic manner of saying so.
EDWARD. FARUEN.
MuDster March, 1st 1858.
A CARD.
To the Editor of the Democrat and Sen
tinel Sir, The Ebensburg Mountaineer,
last week contains a call for a meeting of
those opposed to Mr. Buchanan's policy iu
regard to the admission of Kansas, Amc ug the
names attached to it, I deem it necessary to
explain how my namo was obtained it was j
represented to me that the meeting, was to be
a general Democratic meeting, not to op
pose Mr. Buchanan, otherwise I would not j
have signed the call
II. It. Me'MULLEN.
V bensburg. March, lid, 1858.
A CARD.
To the Editor of tho Democrat and Senti
nel. Sirf Having observed my name attached
to a call for a meeting, .on the subject of the
admission of Kansas, published in the 4Moun
tainccr" of last week, I deem that sonic cs.- the Democratic party
Secretarys, Charles Flick, Geo. McGough,
John Buck, Michael Noou, Jr. Geo. J. Uodgers,
Gco.C. K Zahm, Augustin Little, Thomas Mc.
Cnlloch.M.J. Smith. J. L. Luckhart. J. W.
Condon. Peter McGough, Esq,.
The meetinc was then addressed in an eloquent
and impressive manner, by the President. After
he -had concluded, on motion the toiiowmg
Committee on resolutions"were appointed by the
President.
Committee on resolutions. C. D. Murray S.B.
McCormickJ A. F. Cantwell, P. II. Shiels, Dr
Walters, JoJm.A. Blair, M. -M. Adams, Thomas
McCulIoclu Win. Kyan,- James S. Todd, John
Comiueriord, Henry C. Devinc, and Werner Ben
der, who reported the following which were adopt
ed by acclamation.
Resolved, That the. Democracy of Cambria
county, assembled in mass meeting, under the
sanction of their regular organization and in pur
suance of the call ot the Chairman of their Coun
tv Committee, do solemnly testify their undl
minished confidence in the integrity, patriotism
and far-seeing statesmanship of James Buchanan,
the illustrious chief Magistrate of the Ke public i
Resolved, That we arc decidedly in favor of
tne immediate admission of Kansas into the Un
ion under the "Lecompton Constitution." We
desire to sec this vexed question settled in order
that there may be an end to fanatical agitation
in and outside ot the territory. It Kansas is
admitted into the Union under the Constitution
framed in pursuance of lawful authority, which
she has pmented to Congress, the contests be
tween the various parties in the new State will at
once assume a local character, and no longer en-
cross the attention of the nation.
Hesvlved, That, having never pandered to the
spirit of abolitionism in days gone by, we will
not do so now. We regard the opposition and
denunciations of such men as Horace JSieely,
Senator Hale, Simon Cameron, David vTilmot
and Llo3d Garrison only as additional evidence
of the sincerity of our devotion to the men and
principles of the Democratic party.
Jlesolved, Tlmt we cordially endorse the course
of our efficient U. S. Senator, lion. Wm. Bigler.
For his prompt and able defence of the Kansas
I policy of tl.c President, he merits the thanks of
of the people, should unite at the ensuing
.1. Cl... - .1 f i ate
without regard to differences of opinion on
other subjects, and without regard to the
mode or form of effecting Eaidobject; there
fore, . .
Resolved, That the State Committee, of
which Lemuel Todd, Esq., is Chairman, be
requested to call a Convention of all those
willing to unite to effect the above object, to
be held at Ilarrisburg, on some day not earlier
than the 1st of July next.
Resolved, .That such call should distinctly
state that, in thus inviting, no individual or
party is expected to sacrifice any principle.
followed by the expression of its judgement,
in the form of a resolution, will disabuse the
minds of many from false impressions, aud
have asaltary effect upon the public opinion.
.Our experience in Pennsylvania in ma
king and amending. Constitutions may be ex
amined to aid us in solving the difficulties of
this Kansas question. For that purpose some
reference will be made to our own constitu
tional history. 177G, In consequence of a
circular from the Committee of Safety from
Philadelphia to the Committee of the several j
counties, enclosing the resolution of the Con- j
tinental Congress of the 15th of May, jntm- i
bers were appointed from the several counties
wealth, on the expediency of calling a Con
vention o.f delegate, to be elected by the j.co
pic, with authority to submit amendments of
ihc State Constitution to a vote of the people
for their ratification or rejectiou, and uitk ni
other, or greuter jHticers tchutsoe tcr " lie
vote taken in pursuance of this act was in fa
vor -of a Convention, and by the subs(juetil
act of the 10th of March, l&oG, provuucu
was made lor electing the delegates, and for
the submission of the amendments proposed
by them. Without pausing to explain th
particular reasons which actuated the Lcg
lature and people, it is clear that the Couvea
tion of 1837-3l, the members which wer
elected with reference to these laws, possess
ed osly limited powers. They could not
form a new Constitution, nor, abrogate the
old, nor put their amendments in force. They
could only frame propositions of amendments
nor to approve of liny principle of those with 1 to a provincial conference, which met iu Phil
whom he acts, saving only earnest and prac-
ticle hostility to political despotism, and the
extension of human slavery over the free ter
ritories of this Republic.
Resolved, That the proceediugs of this
Convention be signed by the Chairman and
Secretary thereof, and that the same be pub
lished in all the journals of this State friendly
to the cause of freedom, justice and right.
John A, Iisher, Chairman.
Geo. S; Kino, Secretary.
n'uled'' call, and shows that the men
who issued
Onlv the
it. were afraid to meet the question.
enemi' S of the National Administration are in
vited to attend the meeting the friends tf Mr.
Buchanan will in t be heard. This is about what
the above call uinouuts to. Immediately on" the
nppearance of this call, the Chairman of the
County Committee at once determined to "head"
the disorganizes in their efforts to place the De
mocracy of Cambria in a false position. He ac
cordingly promptly issued the following call :
"The Donvtcratic citizens of Cambria county
are respectfully requested to meet at the Court
House. n Monday evening, the 1st of March, at
e;irly candle-lighting, for the purpose of sustain
ii:2 the men and measures of the Democratic par
i v , There never was a crisis in the history of
:'( iomoeratic party, which required a vcore
j r-.!.it and energetic expression of opinion on
;!. Mt of its members than the one through
vYu'h we are now passing: A general attend
. i nirimiv
a nee- is requesicu.
Chairman County Committee.
February 27.
On Monday afternoon, the Democracy arrived
in town by hundreds for the purpose of attend
ing the meeting, and all in favor of sustaining
the National Administration. On entering the
Court room in the evening, wc at once perceived
that tho oppositkn were dri'ling their forces for
the purpose of "stealing a march" on the friends
of tho Nat'u nal Administrs tion; and wc were not
mistaken. Immediately on Judge Taylor dircc-
jin" the crier to adjourn the Court, before his
Jlojior had left the bench, b-fore even the crier
was done exclaiming "0 yes, o yes, the Court
rill now adjourn." Philip S. Noon, Esq. arose.
fl,f Thomas Collins be President of
themeetius. Thw "dodge" waa promptly, met
by the Chairman of the County Committee, who
called tl.c meeting to order, and nominated Gen
r.l M'Donald for President. The shout for
M'Donald now became deafcning. General
M'Donald then took tho cliair, atd an organ
ization was effected. Hi then delivered
a powerful and convincing address, sustain
ing the principles of the Democratic party aud
the National Administration. Resolutions sus
taining Mr. Buchanan, and in favor of the admis
sion of Kansas under the Lecompton Constitu
tion, were then read and adopted by acclamation
Aftor the adoption "of the resolutions, a call
was made for a division. A perfect rush was
immediately made for the "Luchanan side," and
in a few moments the motley group o disorgani
zes were left alone in their glory. They- still
continued however, to shout, whistle, stamp, Ac,
so that no fcpeaker could be he ird. Finding
theinslvs vanquished, they determined to dis
turb the meeting and break it up iu a row. But
fortuuatdy,. they didn't succeed in thi.-s. The
Democracy having performed the work for which
they came together, the meeting adjourned with
cheers for Buchanan and the Lecompton Consti
tution. The treacherou efforts of th- disorgani
zes tool tain the organization, thows to what
plauation is due myself. I , . . war Tlcw, r??r and airm
-wf y T . i i ity and law, ns manifested for years back, by
roster House, in Johnstown I was requested mcontents itJ ftWt c- anJ gt Je
to sign a p-er, i ashcu wim vue odjcci ot vus ty9 Union? am which, uules4 8pedily checked.
peper was, l was luiormed tnat it was a ca.i
for a Democratic meeting. In reply to my
question, is it purely Democratic? I was told
that such was the tact. I replied that I al
ways signed Euc'a documents, and did attach
my name to the paper. I had no suspicion
that 4a bleeding Kansas' meeting was intended
or that it was inended ta disapprove of rhe
President s policy in regard o he admission
cf Kansas. Had I known that rhat was rhe
fact, I would not have blofred the paper
JAMES SHANNON.
Ebensburg March, 2d, 1858.
XirOur friend Col. P. II Shiels h-s hand
ed in the following;
Enabling Acts. Mr Douglas' position
is that Kansas has no right to call a Conven
tion to frame a Constitution except through
the act of Congress, authorizing them to do o
without an Enabling Act. Without dwel
ling upon tho inconsistency of this position,
with his Springfield speech delivered last
June, in which he warned tho Ircc btate
Party of the consequences of its voting for
Delegates to the Constitutional Convention,
und then pronounced the law, authori
zing such election a fair one, Can Mr
Douglas approve it without abandoning his
Enabling Act position. Are his friends pre
pared to stand by that position; we wish to
have a definite answer.
Letter from Hon. George N. Smith.
TVe have received the following letter from our
talented and efficient Representative, Hon- G
N.Smith. We rrgret that we have not room to
publish an extract from the Proceedings of the
Dauphin County Convention, which he kindly
s-ent us. tend Mr. Smith's letter.
IIarbisbt R March. 1st.
C. D. MciiBAT. The Dauphin County Conven
tion assembled here to day and endorsed the pol
icy pur sued by Mr. Buchanan, on the Lecomp
ton Convention, and instructed the delegates for
Sharswood. Enclosed 1 send von the proceed
ings of tho Convention up to fonr O'clock this
afternoon, which 1 clip from the Daily Telegraph.
There was nothing done to change the proceed
ins as reported, when the Convention adjourn-
e. iours lruir,
g.n; smith
TflAY CniLi'isii "Hurra" for BecriAXAir
The Edi.'or of the "Mountaineer" informed the
world last week that when a boy lie hurraed
for Buchanan, end probably he did, but thatjs
no reason wliy he should now hurra against him
On tins point, wo would say to him, if we
may use the language c another; "Sir if you ex
pect to smooth over yonr political errors while a
man, by the pap which you swallowed when a
boy, you are very much mlsken.
03-Ther is a mistake in the Adveitisment of
Mr. Barnes Coach Maker. His name William
Barnes instead of John Barnes. Mr. Barnes is
an excellent workman, and wc hope those in
want. .f nni'f liittrr (n ! linn will ffirft him &
desperate means they are determined to resort to j
fn order to sustain their rotUn and sinking cause, j , ,
and shows also how hollow are their professions : jpgy-We will next week publish a full tate
of attachment to the principle of popular soer- meut of tm) Preceding of Court. The atten-
eicnty. I5ut lew persons were in me ixmri room ; dance is lare.
at t''e time ; it was not yet dark; none of the
friends of Mr. Buchanan MipposcC that anything
would be done until after sapper ; Indeed a large
number of persons who had arrived in town a
short time previous for the purpose of atteudlug
the meeting, were at supper at tho very time.
Sotwitlistanding all these advantages in favor of
th) disorganizes, the Democracy vanquished
theiu without any dink-id ty. Thtf are all the
must result in disastrous consequences to the
general Government, to each State and to efery
citizen.
Resolved, That we view all insubordination to
authority and law as incipient rebellion, and
wherever developed, as but another plagu pot
upon the body politic, ana that whether maniies
ted iu municipal defiance of State authority, in
organizations of "Killers and Bouncers," "Plug
Uglies," or other secret politieal combinations,
or in public riots, such as occurred at Louisville
and St. Louis, or in insubordination in Kansas,
mbellion in Utah, or fillibusterism at New Or
leans, it is the same dangerous spirit of restless
discontent, and it should be frowned down by ev
ry honest and upright citizen of every party.
Resolved, that it is the duty of every good
citizen to sustain the President of "this gTeat re
public, without regard to political prediction
or party affiliation, in seeing that "the laws be
faithfully executed," and herefore, we do sustain
James Buchanan and his Cabinet, and the .Su
preme Court of the Lni ted States and the Con
stitution and the Union, in the policy pursued
in reference to ucneraUW alker, Brigharu loung,
Jim Lane, and their deluded followers, not only
as an abstract constitutional right, but as an im
perious necesnty, growmsr out of circumstances
similar to those which impelled Andrew Jackson
to "take the rspontibihty" and save the
Union.
. Resolved, That the citizens of Kansas, in ac
cordance with the spirit of tne Cincinnatti Plat
form, the Constitution of the United fctates and
the fundamental principles of human liberty.
have a right to settle tneir own domestic anaira
in their own way" only through the ballot-box,
and that as long as they remain in a state of open
rebellion, either.as the tools of "Eastern Emigra
tion Aid Societies," or as the emboldenedinstru-
ments of Border IUiffians. they are not entitled
either to the sympathies or the protection of the
government or tne people, but should be organi
zed and controlled, even tnougn the authorities
should as a dtrnier resort, appaal to the power
of "Martial Law." "
Resolved, That asPennsylvanians we are justly
proud of the Hon. J. S. Black, the representa
tive of our State in the Cabinet, cf the President,
He is a Statesman that the Mountain Democracy
always delight to honor.
Resolved, That tho Administration, "of Gov.
Win. F. Packer, thus far meets with our cordial
approbation. We are confdent that tftc
Chief Magistracy of our noble old Common
wealth, is perfectly safe in his keeping.
Resolved, That we tender cur warmest thanks
to Hon. Charles It. Buckalew, and his Democratic
Colleagues iu the State Senate, for the prompt
able and fearless maimer in which they have sua
tained the National Administration, and th
Democratic Party.
Resolved, That our confidence in the Democ
racy, zeal, and ability, of our representative, in
the btate legislature, lion, U. . bmith, re
mains undiminished. Y cordially eudorse his
course throughout the present session, especially
in sustaining the National Administration.
Resolved, That we hereby instruct Jame C
Noon, our delegate, to the State Convention, to
vote for resolutions in said Convention, similar
in spirit to the foregoing.
On motion the following resolutions were then
ofiersd and adopted, by acclamation.
Resolved, That the unanimous thanks of this
meeting, are hereby tendered to the Presiding
officer, a man that Cambria always delights to
honor. Gen. Joseph McDona'd. His noble
stand this evening for the freedemof speech, ia a
guarantee that that confidence is net misplaced.
ResiAvsd, That when the Democracy of Cam
bria select tho "Pittsburg Dispatch" as an "organ"-they
will' apprise its Editors of thejact of
ficially. The xneetiDf theu adjourned with Cheers for
Buchanan and the Lecompton Constitution.
The Utah Expedition andjthe Prospect
We have intelligence from Camp Scott as late
as the 1st of January. The snow on the
mountains was from one to six feet deep, but
,he troops were in good condition and prepar
ed for any emergency. The real intentions
of Brighani Young were still involved in
doubt It was not known positively whether
he would fight, yield or retreat. A xnessen- I
ger who recently arrived at St. Louis, states
that from. Fort Hridger. to Hear River, the
distance is about fifty miles, the road gener
ally running through an open coantj. where
little or no opposition could be made by an
enemy. There are some yery steep hills to
ascend and 'descend, particularly the Shaking
Aspin Hill, the dcviding ridge between the
waters of the Gulf of Calafornia and the Great
Salt Lake Basin, which has a greater ela
tion than the South Pass. At Bear river the
difficulties of the march will commence. This
river at that season of the year will be swolen
from bank to bank, and can only be crossed
by boats or by being bridged. As the cur
rent is very rapid and. timber scarce, it will
be difficult to throw abridge across, and boats
will have to be built, as those now there will I
no doubt be destroyed by the JUprmons. Ibe
Mormons, if so disposed, caauo oppose the
passage, as the opposite bank can be swept
by our field batteries from this side. The
river, where the road crosses it, 75 yards
wide. Beyond the river the road continues
to run through an open but broken country
for about ten miles further, where it. strikes
the head of Echo Canon. From this point
to Salt Lake City, a distance of some 50 miles
the road runs through a continuous series of
panons and over two mountains, and along
this part the road will come the tug of war.
It will be seen from this statement, that the
troons. should they determine to march to
Salt Lake Citv. will experience considerable
difficulty, especially should the Mormons at
tempt to oppose their progress by force of
arms. In the course ot a nine wnue, mere-
fore, we shall know the issue cf the effort on
the nart of the United States to subdue the
Mormons. Col. Johnston has avowed his
determination to take no step backward, and
he is evidently a man of more than ordinary
energy. It appears to be understood, that a
oonnict will take piece, and tnat men, n tne
Mormons should be worsted, they will be af
forded an opportunity to submit on conciliatory
terms. It is to be hoped that all this will oe
accomplished without the saenfice of much
life. But it would be lamentable to inflict
any terrible retribution upon the deluded
dupes and followers. They are to be pitied
K- ..... "11 .l
and condemned, rather tuan assanea wun vio
lence, and hurried into premature death.
adelphia on the 18th of June, and adjourned
finally the 25th of the same month. This
conference recommended the election of dele
gates, to assemble iu convention, and form a
Constitution for Pennsylvania, as an inde
pendent State and provided th.e manner in
which the elections for that purpose should
be held. In consequence of this recommen
dation, delegates were chosen by the people,
who assembled in Convention on the 15th
,?-p t,,w I77(t rrl r.r,l,1 tn f ,Pm lion aoes not, ioruiu oiuer iuoues oi aiaena
the Consiitu'tion of that year, without submit- :Dt than that provided by it, it is clear that
ting it to a vote of the people or other process
requiring a vote to give them validity.
1 hose amendments ot 1S38 were adopted,
and the Constitution of 1790, was s far
changed as they expunged old matter or ia
troduccd new. Among those amendments,
was one in relation to future auiendmenu
which now constitutes the 10th article cf the
Constitution, and provides that amendments
may be proposed by a majority of all mem
bers elected to such Hause of the General
Assembly at two successive sessions, which
upon being approved by a public vote, will
take effect. Under this provision and amend
inent was was adopted in 1850, aud four h.
1857. If this provisions regarding changei
in the Constitution, should receive iho same
construction as did the provision in the con
stitution of-1776, it does not furnish an ej
clusive mode of amendment; and tho Lfgiefa
tive power of the State is competent Mj
time to prviie for calling a Constitutional Cui
ventioa, the powers of which, whether gen
eral, or special and limited, will depend upon
the law uuder which the delegates are thoseu
And as this sectiou of our present Constitu
tion does not torbid other modes
of ratification. That Constitution, it will be
seen had a revolutionary origin, .and it con
tinued in force fourteen years, until 1790. It
contained some faults which disturbed its
practical operation. The legislative depart-
this construction must be accepted as the tiu
one.
Let the facts cf th;3 sketch b'c applied U
the Convention and Constitution cf Kanaab,
and difficulties and misconceptions regarJiug
them will disappear. The Legislature of thai
Territory passed an act for taking the tma
mcnt consisted ot a siule body, as in colonial 1
times, an Executive consisteg of a Council of the PeoPle a' au eJon iu lob, upon th
and President, the latter being selected by the question of a Convention to form a LWitu
joint vote of the Council aud Assembly. A VQ lorl-auf 3 ' uueiitly, u tnel'J-Ji
council of censors was also cstablishedi who da7 "?f eb- bV ' thfe fi1"1
. r., ; . . law for the election ot delegates u the Con
Were KKJ 1 C 1 IV n I liuui UJV fcir uiutt bug vuu- ' -
duct of the different departments of the gov
ernment, aud repoit to the people any viola
tions of the Constitution by cither; and they
were empowered? by a two-third vote of their
number, to call a Convention to amend the
Constitution. A single legislative body, a
r.t ft-ropiitl i-i and a cpnsoral r-i.m.ri! to
v - - ..; i..,t -...f ! necessary consequences is, that ihc
CrillClSti UliiCldl aviiuil, uuc n uuuiir n vi i - -
vcntion.
ran if 1.1s f
i lue aeiesrates were eiecua m view ci luck
facts, and their powers, were, of course geu
eral, and similar to those of our Couvcuuols
of 1771) and 17U0 the only Couca;iuL-l
bodies ever assembled in thi 5 talc lrom when;
bauds came forth au entire Cunstiiution. 'He
CoLbti'U-
enforce its judgemcu , were the three capital
tion framed by the Kansas Convention would
be valid, and subject only to the accepuute
of Congress under that provision of the Con
stitution of the United States which gives it
errors of that Constitution; and of the arrange
ment for ameudment through the action of
f.iimd l.i hi iiirir:iftifa Mi A
.-;:- in fr.vnr at one tim of a fV.n- i jurisdiction over the admission of new auu,
UiaivttM " --i j - it' t . j
the slavery clause of that inat: umcii siooi
upon different grounds from o;her j arts of ii.
If that be affirmed, the answer is, tuut il k-i
submitted to popular dcbismuu. liuo tueU
legal obligatiou existed, it was not Uccekary
to submit it, and the doing bo was a vojuuu-
witli retercuvw to
ventiou, and at another, against it; but at no
time coulu an affirmative two-thirds vote be
obtained. Finally, uuder the pressuie of ne
ccstitv in favor of change, the subject was
taken up by tho Legislature, and on the 24tn
of March, 17S9, iu General Assembly, reso-
.t ":r"3: ;,; .s ,t,; ;:,r,";.:n rY aetof the convention
"u . ,. , -.. e .i i.ylitical reasou aud public txreciiUvki, rmu-
were immediately upcessary; reciting from the I """;a ,c,, ,...
J . J ' . . . tli-tii loirnl njiir. like eoiixiil Li; l
Declaration of Independence the assertion ot w " & . - r i . i
he richt of the people to alter or abolish their 5 -
nnnn.nrArf -inil tn lnlitnTA ft niu fine. aa l '
also the clausf of the bill of .rights in the then and eonStitutional princ.P.
existing constitution "That government is
or, ought to be, instituted for the common ben
fit, protection and security of the people, na
tion or community, and not for the particular
emolument or advantage of any single man,
family, or set of men, who are a part only of j
that community hath an mduoitaDie. ana
unalienable and iudefeasable right to reform,
alter, or abolish government in such manner
as shall be to that community judged un.t
conducive to the public waal." Prom all
which, as well as the nature of society and the
principles of government," it manifestly ap
peared that the people nave, at ail times, au
innerant right to alter and amend the torm
. iUW, UpJU UC5ilUUO Ul I'UUUV VI y
right, the whole country and all its vuiihv
tants are under law, aud judgment uu.-t bo
given in favor of that party or luduMuaS
! whose position stands sauctioned by it li
our system were not so, through -all its prts.
it would be worthL-ts uud speedily cLsuivcd
uu ler the breath of revolutiou, ur U struck
down by the arm of force. Nor is iLi cuii
ditiuii of things incompatible with truo.itKt
ty aud freedom. Our system h.i ahuudaut
facilities for amendment, change aiid ictoiu.,
iu connection with power to enloico thr eiis-tiu-'-
laws and rigbti, public and private.
ct Aud that people who cannot control tLeirpu-
Emplotment of Vouintikrs. The differ
ence in the expenses of United States troops,
volunteers and militiais not generally known
government in such manner as they
think proper: and that they are not
cannot bo limited to any certain
or mode of accomplishing the same, but may
make choice of such method as may be bett
adapted to the end proposed, and that further
reasons assigned the delay of the mode pre
scribed in the Constitution for amendment
ought not to be admitted. It was tharefore
proposed and earnestly recommended to tne
citizens of the Commonwealth to take this
subject into their serious cons-ideraiion. and
if they concurred in opinion with the Asseui
a . .i 1 ..... - . itii'i, .i
cl.ill 1 SluUS. OUi Will Mll.e ai uu vi vuu:-mU.w-,
Mian i , , , , , , t
j i utherwise than ry legal and oraerij imuai.
rule
With a basis of fifty privates of each descrip- y a ConYenlion for the purpose of re
tion of troops full officered we have the fol- visinff and aUer-mg tbe Constitution of the
State ought to be called. It was submitted
to them whether it would not be convenient
and proper to elect members of such Conven-
lowing rates :
6 3 1 Aver
mo mo mo age
U. S. dragoons, $13,573 $0.78(7 $2,262 $7,540
U.S. infantry. 4,662 2,331 777 2,500
Mounted volunteers,22,575 13.563 7.583 14,580
Foot volunteers, 7,287 4.878 3,888 5,885
Mounted Militia, 12,079 2800 8.933
Foot Militia. 3,774 2,102 2,989
The official report says that this enormous
disparity in the expenses is not owing toex
travarant allowance to volunteers ; for, ex
cept in clothing, they are not better paid than
remilar troops, and ; altogether insufficiently
compensated' for their pecuniary sacrifices in altering and amending the Constitution of the
leavin" home, to say nothing of the dangers State." The resolutions for that purpose
tion at the next general election, and that,
upon their pleasure being signified at their
next sitting, it would provide by a law tho
time and place of the meeting of the Conven
tion, and for the payment ot espeDses incur-,
red thereby. These important resolutions
were adopted by the decisive, vote ot torty-onc
to seventeen. At its next session the Gen
eral Assembly called a Convention "for the
n 1 a
purpose OI review, ana uiej see wmsiuu,
and hardships they encounter. It is caused.
principally, by expenses for traveling to and
from tho place where the services of the vol
unteers and militia are required : to the hire.
main entrance and indsienity for horses, and
to furnishing them a full supply of clothing
wero adopted by a vote of thirty-nine to sev
enteen on the loth of September, 1TSG.
These legislative proceedings resulted in tbe
Constitution of 1700, and would seem to stand
justified by the reasons assigned,- aud by the
further one, that although the jjonsutution ot
amendment, rc unbt for free guvcruiucu-.
and cauuol k-ng maintain thm.
The lawful aud regular character tf
proceedings for the formation of the Kas;s
Constitution, and the validity of thai iu-'-"
ui.i.t as resented to Cu:i:rres. haviu ' 'w
shown, aud the argument uiusUiileJ hy oUi
owu constitutional history, it remains 10 no
tice some of the loauiug objections hereio.Jf
made, and to give them a fair reply.
1st. The objection that the Constitution t
nnolitinwriWn until 1 S64. li fullv aasW
by the citatious already made from PcLDtJ'
vania Constitutional history. We may est
elude that the same power will exist iu u-
people of Kansas to change their Cols:;
through a regular process, as that excrc
by our own people in changing the LVl;U
tion of 1770. The cases are alike upon
nutation of nower. and the one is soivci '.
the decision of the other. ' Any one w
cepts our Pennsylvania practice us rem
and lawful, will not doubt that, avvu
sion, the people of the new State uf KaB?s
will have power, through a Convention,
.,,1 - l,0no .Urrotlipr their funaaaic-
ta law. retainintr in anv case its rej'U .
r. mm.:- ..7- B,.n.i:B, the soli tou
dation where our fathers placed it. ana up j
general grounds of reason""'
tion provides tor its own ,
mode or time so provided canuui
as bounty, without regard to length of iervice. j 1776 provided a mode of amendment, it did
not forbid other modes; and that therelorc the
OO-James M'Glaughlin, is in town this week.
He has been playing in thel'ittsburg Theatre,
Jim. will j et be a Star Comedian.
CO- We have received Harper's magazine fr
March. It is an inf cresting number. M. C,
M'Cague, out accommodating IV&t Master, ha it
for eale -price 2-j cent.
Qr-The weather is intensely cold to day. March
came in like a Lion, and according to a eustom
established so long that the memory of man run.
neth not to the contrary, it is bound -to go out
like a Lamb. People with their pockets full of
'rocks," are having a good time of it sleiging.
From tub Utah. Arm. A letter has has
been published, written by Col. A. S John
ston, the commander of the Utah army, to a
member of his family in Louisville, lventuc
tv dated at Camp Scott, near Fort ISridger,
Deccjiber 12th, 1857, tho following extract
from which embraces all that ia of any gen
eral intere :
Some think the Mormons, when it is
necessary to make the issue with them, will
submit to the government do not agree
tcith them. Z thinlc their fanaticism and vil
lainy will lead them to try one encounter at
least; and J thinlc our government ought to
desire it, as affurdiing a simple solution, of a
difficult political question. If they resist, a
Ittil
Huriah for themerry jingle of the bells. Foster of
theArcaclesayB tho nejit best thing to a sleigh ! fina? settlement would be on tho basis of a
I ride, this eold weather, is a gM warm whiskey conquest. A e would then dictate to theui
I punch. Sensible ivau that 1'obter. the terms of adjustment."
UJVUb V tllil V gu j. w , - .... 1
unless others are express! p (
Every presumption fchould he ui.e
vor of the popular right in legal su;..
of government, and the powei v. w
tdam n.nct nftm pntire. UflltsS tXJ'
limited or forbidden. The Kansas (Vn;
tion does not forbid amendment before -and
it doe contain a declaration o pr
r similar t -'
power over wuinuuu'"'ii n .!
quoted by our Legislature in i . o?, -rpiselv
similar to the present one.
'2d. Upon the final adjournment
Kansas Convention without its s"3,,"u
K -Iia1a Constitution formed by it w
objection was made to it upon tl)t fc
I and a constitutional pauusvpuj. - -!
novel, was produced upou the cff.;
i sustain that objection, by Ilebert J.
i .i , n - r.e V, Torritorv. 1
: a I found expounded at large in his so J
Convention with limited powers." It provi- "". " 0f .Mr.
i.j r ..r. .i ... S. i material point in tbe mc?sate o
ucu lor a vote ior uio lmriiusc w .... . -r:T;il -
ing tile Emse cf tho ciiii-n. of iLi. Common- . try M.ntcn to tbcT.m..-r.i .
ordinary law-making power could not initiate
the necessary proceeding of change, mat
Constitution of 1790 was proclaimed by the
Convention and put in force by it, with out
any submission of the instrument or any part
of it to a popular vote. It remains in force
till this day, a period of sixty-eight years,
modified only by certain amendments to which
it has been subjected.
"In:1825 a law was passed by the Legisla
ture for taking the sense of the people upon
the question of a Convention to make amend
ments. The proposition was however rejected.
Ten years later in 1 S35 a law was pass
r a a 1
ed, entitled "An act to provide tor caning
f
I'
15
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