The Kansas herald of freedom., 1856-03-08

toSetner ID peaceaDle manner lor Lnef
common good. to establish justice, insure
domestic tranquility. provide for the COM
mon defence, promote the general welfare,
and secure the blessings of liberty to
themselves and their posterity; and
whereas, the citizens OF Kansas Territory
were prevented from electing members OF
a Legislative Assembly, in pursusnee,of
a proclamation of Gov. Reedcr, on the
30th of March last. by invading forces
from foreign States coming into the Ter
ritory and forcing upon the people Leg
islature of non-residents and others, In
imical to the interests of the people of
Kansas Territory, defeating the object of
the organic act, in consequence of which
the Territorial government became per-
feet failure, and the people were left with
out any legal government. until their pa
tience has become exhausted, and 'endur-
ance ceases to be virtue and they are
compelled to resort to the only remedy
left-that of forming 3 government for
themselves therefore,
"ResOiued. by the people of Kansas
Territory, in Delegate Convention as
sembled, That an election shall be held
in the several election precincts of this
Territory on the Cd Tuesday of October
next. under the regulations and restric-
tions hereinafter imposed, for members of
a convention to form a constitution, adopt
a Bill of Rights for the people Of Kansas,
and take all needfui measures for organiz-
ing State government, preparatory to
the admission of Kansas into the Union
as State"
At this convention Territorial Execu-
tive Committee was appointed, and that
committee, in accordance with the in
structions of the convention, issued a
proclamation, commencing as follows:
"To the legal voters of Kansas:
WHEREAS, the Territorial govern
ment, as now constituted, for Kansas has
proved failure-squatter sovereignty un-
der its workings miserable delusion-in
proof of which it is only necessary to re-
fer to our past history and our present
deplorable conditioD-our ballot-boxes
have been taken possession of by bands
of armed men from foreign States-our
people forcibly driven therefrom-persons
attempted to be foisted upon us as MEM
bers of a so-called Legislature, unac-
quainted with our wants, and hostile to
our best interests-some of them never
residents of our Territory-misnamed
laws passed, and now attempted to be en-
forced by the aid of citizens of foreign
States, of the most oppressive, tyrannical
and insulting characterize right of suf-
frage taken from us-debarred from the
privilege ofa voice in the election of even
the most insignificant officers-the right
of free speech stiied-the muzzling of the
press attempted and whereas. longer for
bearance with such oppression has ceased
to be virtue and whereas, the peopleof
this country have heretofore exercised the
right of changing their form of government
when it beaame oppressive, and have, at
all times, conceded this right to the people
in this and all other governments !; and
whereas, a Territorial form of government
is unknown TO the constitution, and is the
mere creature of necessity, awaiting the
action of the people; and whereas, the
debasing character of the slavery which
now involves US impels US to action, and
leaves us the only legal and peaceful alter
native, the immediate establishment of a
State government; and whereas, the Or
ganic act fails in pointing out the course
to be adopted in an emergency like ours;
therefore. you are requested to meet at
your several precincts in said Territory
hereinafter mentioned, on the ed Tuesday
of October next. it being the 9Th day OF
said month, and then and there cast your
ballots for members of a convention. to
meet at Topekaon the 4th Tuesday of Oc-
tober next, to form constitution, adopt
Bill Of Rights for the people of Kansas,
and take all needful measures for organiz-
ing State government preparatory to the
admission of Kansas into the Union as q
State"
On the 4th Tuesday of October, the
constitutional convention assembledat To-
peka, and drafted constitution which
was submitted to the people on the 18th
of December, and by them approved. by
a very large maiority-men of all parties
voting.
Such, in brief, is the history of the
constitutional movement in Kansas, and if
this is party movement, it is difficult 70
see in what way a constitution can be
framedand adopted not open to thischarge.
1.-THE people or any portion of them, fail
ed to participate, it vas theirown fault
and not the fault of those who we're ac-
tive. Democrats, Hards and Sofis,
Wings, Hunkers and Liberals. Republi-
cans, Pro-slayery and Anti-slavery men
of all shades participated in the formation
of the State government, and If it be par
ty movement at all, it certainly cannot Be
. movement of one party alone. In >
republican government, the majority has
no power to compel the minority % vote
on any question: neither has the minority
right to object to the action Of the ma
jority. because they did not choose 70 act
with them.
The President ssys: NO princi-
pie Of public law, no practice Or pre-
-. = - Ess