Squatter sovereign., 1856-09-02
Reeaer's Argument.

ing comparable with the argument pre-
sented to the House of Representatives by
Gov. Reeder. in support Of his claim to
seat as the Delegate from Kansas. This
remarkable document we find published
al length in the New York Times, anG we
propose 20 notice few OF lis more proIni-
neat points. in order that our readers naay
see upon what grounds eighty-three N en-
bers OF the House Of Representatives re-
corded their votes in his behalf.
1t will be borne in mind that Reeders
case was entirely distinct from Whitfield 8.
They were not contestants 1t the same
election. Indeed, the latter was elected
without opposition, and, according TO all
the rules known to us, his election was val
id, even If there was but one legal vote in
his favor. Reeder was chosen at an
election ordered by party Convention,
without authority of law. and in the teeth
of the protest of the existing Territorial
Government. So plain is this fact. that
Reeder begins his argument by admitting:
THAT my election, so ara time and
place, and technical forms. are concerned.
was without any previous law TO authorise
it."
After such an admission, Imagination is
taxed to know upon what pretexts he could
have the efffontery to claim his seat. An
election is thing of law. Its 'time and
place. and technical form," constitute its
very essence. They are the solely ap-
pointed and recognized modes of collecting
the popular will. and their faithful observ-
ance has ever been held essential to ma ke
any election valid. But how does Reeder
gel over this fatal admission2 His argu-
nent divides itself into two heads:
/. "The inherant right of the people to
provide, In their primary meetings, for the
making of laws and frames OF government,
whenever necessity exists for it.
2. Precedents in Congress. recognizing
elections had under these Circumstances.
TIE first asserts the mere right Of rev.
olution. which all admit to be the last re-
sort OF a people. That is the proposition
no more, and na less.
Is not this assertion also fatal to his
claim? Is it not confession of what the
South has along asserted, that this free
soil election in Kansas was revolutionary
or. TO use Reeder's own words, "a purely
popular movement without any pretence Of
legal authority, and subversive of pro-
ceedipg winch had been surrounded by
all the forms of lava" IF his election was
the act of revolution, and that revolution
brought about by a minority party, he is
as certainly an usurper as it is possible for
a man to be. His election, according 10
his own ADMISSIONS, was not only without
law; but was against law; and he, instead
OF being permitted to vex the ears OF Con-
gress with his appeals, should have been
indicted and punished.
But the shameless hardihood OF Reeder
IN pressing such claim, becomes more
apparent when we consider before whom
it was made. The Territorial Government
OF Kansas was the work OF Congress, and
Congress was bound, by every argument
of policy or good faith, 10 sustain it. But
here comes man, who not only tramples
upon this Government, and dsfies it, but
heads revolution against it, and in the
same breath in which he confesses his
crime, asks Congress to recognise hinn as
! -. Oh n ~. ,,.t.z oce
qualification and folly. Reeder, with bra
zen front, invites the House of Represen-
tatives, and eighty-eight members to COM
| ply with the invitation! So much for Reed
ers case, on the score of principle.
When we examine his precedents, la
boriously sil,ed from the Congressional
records, duriAg times of the highest party
excitement the first thing that strikes us is,
! that while quoting the few scattered pre-
cedents seemingly in Lis favor, he makes
no mention of the vast number against him
How often claims, similar to his own, have
been rejected, he studiously avoids any
mention. Now, no one will deny the fact,
that Congress has, at various times been
guilty of acts which might justify the wild
est calculation. But such acts stand out rs
perpetual warnings. They have brought
disgrace upon the Government, and made
the name of Repubtcanism byword of
reproach and ridieule with many. No
man, not lost to all ideas of right or law,
would ever dream of citing them as pre-.
cep,s. except TO warn. But Reeder finds
his refuge and hope in just such cases.
The follies and excesses of the Govern
ment constitute his authorities, and this
while actually confessing and dcnouncing
them. Our limits forbid us TO notice more
than ou. OF the cases cited hv him. II Is