The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-10-06
Mex. Tuesday--stase Constitution.

our neighbors that the people of Kansas
Territory shall not assemble on Tuesday
next to vote for delegate to Congress
and elect delegates to a Constitutional
Convention. IL is asserted by those who
pretend to be wise in the premises, that
Gov. Shannon has declared It was revo-
lutionary and reasonable in its tendency
and that he would put down the move
ment at whatever cost or sacrifice of
life. Whether there is any truth in the
report We have no means of knowing !;
but the opinion is entertained, and ex-
pressed by moderate pro-slavery men.
that There will be a row." to use their
own language, ''on Tuesday next"
Il is believed that the reason there were
not more persons in the Territory. and
at Lawrence, on Monday las: was owing
to the determination to be present on
T.eoday Tha prn-slayery party well
know that Congress, as it is constituted.
will subject the late Legislature. and its
proceedings. to rigid criticism. They
know. too, that thorough investigation
of the subject will spoil them of all their
claims to Legislative body; and that
any laws enacted, or elections held un-
der such laws. will be imperative and
void that in consequence of the organ
ic law proving inadequate to the purpose
ior which il was enacted, the Territory
las fallen back into It's original condition,
the same as it was when found by the
nsas-NebraSka bill, save that it has
Governor. Such being the case. an
election, held by the people. and partici-
pa:ed in by none but qualified voters, in
all parts Of the Territory, will ensure the
delegate. receiving such votes, a seat in
Congress. In;eili gent men-pro-slavefy
an olherwise-who have given consider
alton to this subject admit such to be
the case. 1t was for this reason the pro-
slavery party in Missouri were dishear
ened, and for this reason the interior dis
tricts were ut invaded and eyerrun by
them, as on former occasions; and it is
with hope of yet frustrating US that
they propose interfering with the cleo
lion OF the people on Tuesday. Would
it not be we'll ior them to bear in mind
that one of the reasons which prompted
the people to tx their election OH tie 9Th
inst, was to avoid an unnecessary coils
sion with their invaders from Missouri I;
that they sought this mode OF testing
their own strength and numbers, deer
mined to intrude upon the rights oil no
one, but to "peacably pe.iton Congress
ior redress OF grievances" They
chose to send living petition, ore VINO
could speak for them. aal set forth the
base outrases and gross indisniiies to
which tkey have been subjected. in pref
erence to sending up their complains on
parchment.
The Constitution of the United States
guarantees to US the right to "peacibly
assemble and petition the government for
a redress of grievances. That instru-
ment did not dictate the kind of petition,
or the manner Of expressing the public
will; aud hence it is left for the people
10 select their own method of redress
We possess the natural right of self
protection when assaulted; and We trust,
if any person or persons attempt to in
terrupt us in the exercise of our Consti-
tutional rights, on Tuesday they viii be
taught lesson from which others may
profit.
AS to the right to form State Consti-
tuition: Who is there so simple as to
suppose that the people cannot as
semble in their representative capacity
and form q Constitution and code oi
laws for their own government? Such
8 movement is not revolutionary, and
would not conflict in the least With the
Territorial government, so far as the ru-
dimentary steps are concerned. Ii Con-
gress should not sanction the movement
then it might come in conflict with the
Territorial organization. but not neces-
sarily.
Rhode Island had State Government
which had been Ia existence over
hundred years. with bat a trife change
at the Revolution. A portion of her
people saw Ct. few years ago, 70 re-
model her Constitution. and attempted
to suppiant the government already es-
tablished. So far as the original move
ment was concerned no complaint was
made. nor could have been. until The new
authorities came in conflict with the old.
Then it became necessary % raise an ar
my and levy war apoa the powers that
BE-. The established au.horisies called
upon the federal government Tor aid. IS
they had legal right 10 do. .aad Il was
granted them. Gov DosR. and his parry.
were crushed out. The former was
ousted. thrown into prison. and finally
ccariessd es high treason asa;ass he