Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1856-04-18
q he Gbronirlr.
FRIDAY. APRIL IL, 1856.
KANSAS AND ARKANSAS.

The Democratic Leaders oppose the ad
mission of Kansas on the ground that bel
application not being made by her Terri
torial authorities, but by an independent
Convention of settlers, not previously au-
thorizod by Congress, is illegal. Yet 1t
would puzzle them to point out the page
of the Statute Book, which renders Illegal
such course of proceeding. There Is
nothing in the Constitution that requires
the application to be made through Terri
torial authorities, or the Convention to be
held under the supervision Of Congress.
There is no law requiring it. There Is
not even a Congressional usage requiring
it. for States have repeatedly been admit
ted, upon application made in just the way
that this is. and with Constitutions framed
by conventions, called, held, and acting
precisely like the Kansas Convention.
California was-Micbigan was-and SO,
substantially, was Texas.
If we 90 back only twenty years, we
shall find the Democratic party insisting
upon. and carrying out, the very course
they now condemn. In 1886, came to
Congress the application of Territory,
living lust adjacent to Kansas, resembling
it in name, and forming part of the same
Louisiana Purchase. No law had been
passed by Congress authorizing Con
ycntion to organize State. On the
contrary, Congress had positively rct"scd
to pass such law The application was
not made by the Territorial authorities,
Nevertheless, the Settlers Convention
framed a Constitution, presented 1t to
Congress. and asked admission. Not
single remonstrance on the score OF I" llie-
cality" was uttered on the Democratic
side of the House. The subject was re-
fcrred to Committee, and in due time lis
Chairman, Mr. BUCHANAN, reported a
bill, which was passed on the 10Th Of
June, 1886, by Democratic Votes, and is
now in full force. 1t is as follows:
Whereas, the people of the Territory
of Arkansas did, on the Both day of Jan
uary in the present year, by Convention
of delegates called and assembled for that
purpose, form for themselves Constitu-
ton and State Government, which Con
stituton and State government, so formed,
is Republican and whereas, the number
of inhabitants within the said Territory
exceeds 47,700 persons, computed accord
ing 10 the rule prescribed by the Constr
tuition of the United States and the said
Convention have, in their behalf, asked
the Congress of the United States to ad-
init the said Territory into the Union as a
State, on the same footing as the original
States
"Be It enacted. that the State of Ar
kansas is hereby declared to be admitted
into the Federal Union, on the same feot
ing as the original States" &c, &c.
Here are all the qualifications required
before admitting Arkansas, distinctly set
forth. Which one of them does Kansas
lack? Her Convention, "called and as
sembled for that purpose, formed for
themselves Constitution and State gov
ernment" The "Constitution and State
government, so formed, is Republican. y
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 Kansas be rejected, un-
der the same circumstances that Arkansas
was admitted?
There is only one reason, and the De-
mocracy own it-Arkansas had Siares,
and Kansas has lawfully none.-ABany
Journal