Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-04-24
Kanzas and Arkansas.


The Democratic party oppose the admis-
sion of Kanzas on the ground that her ap-
plication, not being made by her Territorial
authorities, but by. an independent Con-
vention OF settlers, not previously au-
thorized by Congress, is illegal. Yet it
would puzzle them to punt ont the page st
the Statute Book which renders illegal such
a course of proceeding. There is nothing in
the Constitution that requires the applica-
ton to be made through Territorial author-
ties, or the Convention to be held under the
supervision of Congress. There is no law
requiring it. There is not even a Congress
sional usage requiring it, for States have re-
peatedly been admitted, upon application
made in just the way that this is, and with
Constitutions framed by Conventions, called,
held, and acting precisely like the Kanzas
Convention. California was. Michigan
was. And SO, substantially, was Texas
II we go back only twenty years. we shall
find The Democratic party insisting upon ,and
carrying out, the very ceurse they now COR
denim. In 1886 came to congress the appli-
cation ofa Territory lying just adjacent to
Kanzls, resembling it in name, and forming
part of the same Louisiana Purchase. No
law had been passed by Congress authorizing
a State. On the contrary, Congress had
positively refused to pass such, a law. The
application was not made by the Territorial
authorities. Nevertheless the Settlers Con-
ventiou framed a Constitution, presented it
to Congress, and asked admission. Not a
single remonstrance on the score of illegal
ty'' was uttered on the Democratic side of
the House. The subject was referred to a
committee, and in due time its chairman,
Mr.. Buchanan, reported bill, which was
passed on the 18th of June, 1916, by Dem
ocratic votes, and is now in full force. 1t is
as follows:
"Whereas, the Territory of Arkansas did,
on the 3Oth day of January in the present
year, by convention of delegates called and
assembled for that purpose, form for them
selves Constitution and State government.
which Constitution and State government.
so formed, is Republican,; and whereas, the
number of inhabitants within the said Ter
ritory exceeds Al 600 persons, computed ac-
cording to the rule prescribed by the Con-
stilution of the United States; and the said
Convention have, in their behalf, asked the
Congress of the United States to admit the
said Territory into the Union as Stale, on
the same footing as the original States.
"Be 1t enacted, that the State of Arkansas
is hereby declared to be admitted into the
Federal Union, on the same footing as the
original States" &c. &c.
Here are all the qualifications required be-
fore admitting Arkansas, distinctly set forth.
Which one of them does Kanzas lack,-
Her Convention "called and assembled for
that purpose, formed themselves a Constitu-
ton and State government" The "Consti-
tuition and State government so formed is
Republican" The "number of inhabitants"
is as great or greater. The Convention
have in their behalf asked admission into
the Union. Everything has been done in this
case that was required IN that one. Why
then must Kanzas be rejected under the
same circumstances that Arkansas was ad-
mittedi
There is only one reason, and the Demo-
cracy own It-Arkansas had SLdres,' and
Kanzas has nons.-AIbans Evening Jou: :
mol. -