The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-07-14
Re7mt1d + r the Herald of Heedon,

Re7mt4d f r the Herald e.f II jeedoan
Speech of John Hutchinson, Esq,
Delirered in the House of Representa-
tres X, r., ON tie ar day Of July, on
the Majority Report Of tie Committee
on Credentials.
Mr.. SPEAKER +: The question involved
in this report increases in importance,
and takes upon itself a more portentous
look as | approach it,
A Consciousness of my own inability
to meet this question ably, almost forces
me back from, TIE contest. Yet, its i'm
portauee does not so much suppress me,
as the fact that L am called upon, at the
very threshhold of Kansas legislation, to
defenda principle Of such vital interest,
and whose violation must be visited with
such fearful consequenceS-I moan the
principle of pure democracy-of popular
sovereignty.
This question may seem a trif1ing one,
a theme of but little moment, because it
affects country but sparsely settled,
and interests people almost beyond the
line of civilization, yet, although we
dwell where the foot of the white man
has but recently trod, we are within the
limits of that country over which the
constitution of the United States claims
unyieIding sway. To us, living under
that constitution, this is question, all
important-its decision will be the first
corner stone in that tsuperstructure, to be
reared by the legislative bodies of this
Territory,-ifit it be on one side, that cor
ner stone will be laid deep in justice, and
may support monument OF greatness
which shall be the pride of this whole
country,-if it be on the other side, 1t
will be but a shapelesS stone in that tot
tering mass which must soon tumble
down upon the heads of It's builders
The consequences of this decision will
not disappear with the excitement of the
day-they will not vanish with the morn
ing twilight of our Territorial existence !;
they will be seen and felt at noon day
and at evenings fiittering twilight. 1t
needs not be thought because this ques-
ton arises in the Legislature of an infant
and helpless Territory, that it is unim-
portant, for it effects a country no less
extensive than this vast republic. This
report, sir, rises up before me ike huge
monster, sending its poison into the very
vitals of our constitution, and corrupting
every element of self government. Let
us beware of its touch-let us examine it.
arise, Mr.. Speaker, to oppose the
adoption of this report, and in doing this,
to maintain my right TO seat in this
House claim itnot rs an individual
not merely as a representative of a dis
trict-not merely as representative of a
party-but as an advocate of those rights
guaranteed to me and to my constituents
by the organic act of this Territory.
claim It, not of choice, not for honor, not
because / wish to legisialate for the peo-
pie of this Territory; but claim it be-
cause | wish to maintain individual
rights, and State rights; and also to re-
pudiate every act of lawleSs invasion and
all usurpation of power take it, be-
cause my constituents have sent me here,
fairly, legally, constitutionally. am to
represent them. to speak for them, to vote
for them. And in doing this, | ask
beg of this House no privileges, no in
duIgeuces. l oaly ask that those rights
shall be extended to me. which are guar
anteed by that act which authorizes the
settlement OF this Territory.
In maintaining my position, / shall
speak candidly and frankly-I shall
speak from my own conviction of right;
l shall give my own construction to con-
stituiional aud legislative enactments;
! shall recite those facts to which | have
been an eye witness; and | shall give my
own prophecy of the result of this contest.
] Iregret, that during my argument /
shall be obliged to aIlude to those events
which have given rise to this contest. 1t
is painful to me to know that the sanctity
of the elective franchise has been violated
and its guaranty wrested from the citi-
zens of this Territory, in consequence of
the agitation of that subject which has
ever disturbed the peace and quietude of
this Union. 1t is painful to me again, to
know, that people coming into this Ter
ritory as citizens of the same country,
should foster such feelings of jealousy
and enmity towards each other; but it Is
still more painful to know that people en-
joying constitutional protection and con-
statutional privileges, should come down
upon us in their might, and taking adj