The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1856-04-30

9th of September, when Governor Reeder
was nominated for Congress. and resolu-
tions were adopted repudiating the validi-
ty end authority of the territorial gov
ernment
In the following resolution they ap-
prove of the proceedings Of the Law
renee meeting, for the reason that thev
repudiate the acts and authority of the
territorial government established by Con-
gress:
"Resolred, That this convention, in
view of its recent reputation of the acts
Of the so-called Kansas Legislative AS
sembly, respond most heartily to the call
made by the peoples convention of ths
l4lh ultimo for delegate convention of
the people Of Kansas, to be held at Topeka
ON the l. 9Th instant, to consider the pro-
priety of the formation of a State con-
stitution, and such matters as may legiti-
| mately come before it."
Does this look like peaceably assembling
to petition Government for the redress of
grievances What humble petitioners
Approve and indorse the Lawrence meet
ing of the l4th for the reason that it trepudi-
ated the action and authority of the gov
ernment which Congress had established
for the Territory! The Lawrence meeting
was local, being composed of the inhab-
| fitants of the town and immediate vicinity.
The Big Springs meeting was conYen-
ton composed of delegates from every
portion of the Territory. Thus the move
mcnt became general, and reached every
county and district in the Territory.
But let US pursue the inquiry whether
this movement did proceed upon the idea
and keep within the rule laid down by
Attorney General Butler, in regard to
petitioning for redress Of grievances "in
strict subordination to the eristing terrific
rial government"
Here is another resolution adopted by
the Big Springs convention:
Rssolued, That we owe no allegiance
or obedience to the tyrannical enactments
of this spurious Legislature; that their
laws have no validity or binding force
upon the people of Kansas; and that every
freeman among us is at full liberty, con-
sistently with his obligations as citizen
and man, to defy and resist them if he
chooses SO to do"
This is the first allegation / have been
able to find that the Legislature was a
spurious assemhlage 70 "Owe no allie
glance Pho obedience to the tyran-
meal cnactments !" The claws have no
validity!"-no "binding force on the
people of Kausas!" Every freeman at
liberty ..to defy and resist them!n Is this
what is meant by the sacred right of pc
tition? Is this what the minority report
means when it asserts the right of the
people peaceably to assemble and petit
tion the Government for tho redress of
grievances?"
The next resolution points out the
mode in which these humble petitioners
propose'to redress their grievances. It
is in these words:
"Rssolved. That we will endure and
submit to these laws no longer than the
best interests of the Territory require as
the least of two evils and will resist them
to a bloody issue as soon as We ascertain
that peaceable remedies shall fail, and
forcible resistance shall furnish any rea-
sonable prospect of success; and that, in
the mean time, We recommend to our
friends throughout the Territory, the or
ganization aud discipline of volunteer
companies. and the procurement and prep
aration of arms"
! They will submit only until "peaccable
remedies shall failP' What are these peace
able remedies? Fortunately we are not
left to conjecture to ascertain. They are
clearly defined by Governor Reeder, in a
speech before the same convention which
passed these resolutions, to be "an appeal
to the courts, to the ballot-box, and to
Congress" But suppose the courts sns-
tain the validity of the laws, and the peo-
pie sustain the Legislature, and Congress
refuses to overrule the people, what then?
Governor Reeder has anticipated all these
contingencies in the same speech, and
clearly indicated the course to be pursued
in that event. / will let him speak in
his own forcible language. He says,
"But if at last, all these should fail--rif,,
in the proper tribunals, there is no hope
fer our dearest rights, outraged and pro-
faned--if we are still to suffer, that cor
rupt men may reap harvests watered by
our tears-then there is one more chance
for justice. God has provided. in the
eternal frame of things. redress for every
wrong; and there remains to US stiH The
steady eye and the strong arm and soe mast
conquer, or n,ingle the 6odiss Of the oppres-
sors riM those Of The oppressed upon the
soil ~hich The Declaration Of Iadepea.
dence no longer protects"
Is this what the minority report calls
"peaceably assembling to petition Gov
ernmont for redress of grievances Z" Does
this sustain the declaration in the minor.
| ity report that their action was all condi-
tional, dependent upon "the acceptance qnd
RATIFICATION by oongress','' The whole ar
gument Of the minority report for the
vindication of these revolutionary move
I