Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1856-07-25

and throw its might into the scale
But the bill reported by the commit
Tee, which, in my. opinion, is very
great concession by those who arc
considered the extreme friends. OF the
measure, does propose remedies
which are eflectual as it is possible
FOR legislative sanctions to be elect
ual. II is not always possible,
know, sir, TO enforce the law, how
ever honestly made, however faith
fully it may be desired and INTENDED
that is shall be carried out. Ior
cannot always govern the passions oil
n people; and you canrot always
even 10y the strong arni OF law put
down lawless violence. Periods oc-
cur in all Governments, free or not
free, in which outrage tTIumphs over
law and order. But as far as lcgls-
lailve sanction can affect il, It does
seem To me that this amendment
have read it only recently ! adult
provides all the remedies which are
competent, aud that the natural and
probable operation Of it will be To
restore peace and harmony, which, |
think, is, and which certainly ought
tO he, the desire of every member OF
this body, aud OF every patriotic
heart IN the Union.
II proposes that the Territory Of
Kansas shall he allowed 10 come INTO
the Union as State, with a Consu-
tuition to be properly made 10y CON
vention elected fairly by the settlers
Of that Territory. IL does not de-
sign to take advantage of the alleged
absence Of great numbers OF these
iree-Staie voters, who, It is SAID,
have been expelled by violence but
there is a provision Ia the bill which
meets that case. whatsoever, being
or having been, bona .ffe resident
Of The Territory, has been driven
without its limits, 10y force or lnIlmld-
alinn, il is provided for him, by thus
bill, that he shall be allowed TO re-
Turn, and, under the sanction OF law,
as peremplory as II can be made, he
Is to have the privilege of his vote.
II these sanctions of law be not per-
empiory aud efiectual, II behooves
gentlemen who object to the bill Ia
point out some means in which they
can be made more eflectual. II they
cannot be made more eHectual, II Is
not the fault of Congress, but results
from the impossibiliy Of 50 arrang-
ing human laws that they may have
a foil and fair operation, ia spite Of
any cunning contrIvance or popular
resistance.
The committees amendment seeks
10 preserve the purity of the elective
franchise, and the rights of every
duly-qualified voter and for this
purpose directs the appointment OF
five commissioners, to be nominated
by the President, aud confirmed by
the Senate, who are 10 be sworn TO
support the Constitution, aud dis
charge The duties eniolned upon them
by the act 10 the best of their skill
and Judgment They are required
To make a full and faithful enumera-
ton of the legal volers resident Ia
the territory on the 4th OF July OF
The present year 10 make lists oil
all the voters IN the respective dis
tIIcis, naming G oh one TO send
copies of these lists TO every clerk Of
a court 10 the Territory, which off /
Ger is to file and keep these lists open
To the inspection Of every lnhabit-
ant; other copies OF these lists are .
to be posted up in al least three
places most public in each voting
precinct. The time Of the sitting
of the commissioners is prescribed,
and full opportunity is afforded Tor
correcting these lists aud, besides
the means of publicity which | have
meniloued, copies are to be " PRINT
ed aud distributed generally among
the inhabitants Of the proposed
State" These commissioners are
10 apporllun tho representation ct
the different counties fairly, accord
in to prescribed rules. They are to
appoint the judges Of the elections.
No one is to be allowed TO vote ex-
cept such as have been recorded IN
these printed lists.
Penalties of fine and imprlson-
ment gre provided for all vino may
attempt, by force, menace, inIlmlda-
ton, or other unlawful means, TO
hinder the free exercise of the cleo
live franchise. 1t provides, also, pen
allies Of fine aud Imprisonment for
all spurious or fraudulent voting, and
for voting more than once. Indeed,
sir, II seems to me that these Prov,
sions have been conceived aud draft
ed in a spirit of fairness, aud with
an evidently sincere desire TO preserve
the purity OF the elective franchise,
TO give to the true sentiment of The
majority Of The qualified voters It's
full aud proper effect, to favor no
party over another, to prevent for
eign interference, and to secure gen
orally the faithful operation of the
act, and to enahle the real settlers Of
Kansas TO form for themselves "a
State constitution such as they APP
prove. How well does all this con
trast with the manner in which the
Topeka constitution was formed by
the unauthorized action of a pollt-
cal party, who were but portion of
the people Of The Territory
That constitution was made last
August. A larger population has