Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-07-19
Toombs' and Douglas Kansas Bill Dissec-
ted.

under the Free State organization, has written
letter to the New York Erening Post, in
which he thoroughly dssec,s and exposes the
iniquity Of Toombs' aud Douglas bill for the
Pscihca,ion Of Kansas. We Invite the alien-
tion Of our readers to the perusal of the docu-
mens, which We give in full :
wAsnlseroS, d. c., July II, 1855.
To the Editors Of the ESening Post:
Your note asking my opinion, as democrat
and as a citizen and friend Of Kansas, in rela-
zion to the Senate bill entitled ga bill to author
ize the people Of the territory of Kansas to
form constitution and state government, &c. :"
which passed the Senate on the I'd inst is to
hand.
In reply, would state that my objections to
the bill are not confined to its details only
they may be amended-but attach also 10 the
principles upon which il rests.
l. The bill proposes to repeal and amend
certain territorial laws, and to leave others in
furce, and heece assumes the position that the
Legislative Assembly was valid authority,
and affxes the seal of congressional sanction
and appreciation upon body eelcted by rule
utterly subersive Of that government and in so
doing, the Senate has sanctioned and cpalzed.
as far as it can, the work of an armed mob. in
open violation Of the laws and constitution of
the United States, in violating the grea, funda-
mental principle upon which rests our political
fabric, popular sovereignty or self-government.
II Is not necessary 10 weary your readers by
inserting here the proof Of this proposition
and ! shall only refer them to the testimony Ia.
ken by the Kansas Investigating Committee.
reported to the House Of Representatives on the
LIST inst. 10 this report the above allegation is
proven by testimony the most positive aud iu-
controvertible.
ii. But my objections to the bill do no,
stop here; after thus acknow Lodging the valid
lily Of the territorial Legislature, the bill! pro-
ceeds to repeal sundry laws and parts Of laws
enacted by that body, by tie very singular pro-
cess OF re-enacting certain important proyis-
ions Of the Constitution Of the United States.
tSee bill sec. 49, Il also enacts new cleo.
tive law, assuming the power of Congress to
iegisiate Tor the territory on the most import
ant subject OF legislation, that Of the elective
franchise. while 1t has, in the opinion of the
Senate, in full vitality, local legislature Of its
own; thus utterly abandoning The whole theo-
ny OF the democratic creed 10 relation TO the
government Of the territories; and, as a demo-
cras, must be allowed to enter my protest
against this abandonment Of the faith, partcu-
larry in an instance when that abandonment of
the faith, particularly in an instance when that
abandonment is made necessary by assuming
former false hypothesis.
Ill. The bill further provides for the cleo
iion and organization of convention 'to form
constitution and State government" and with
out submitting the constitution thus formed to
vote Of the people or future action OF Con-
gress, admits the State into the Union ION an
equal footing with the original States" and
makes the action Of that convention a fnaliy,
and denies to the people the invaluable priv.
iege Of acting 10 their primary and individual
capacity upon The organic law of the land,
right inratua5le 10 them, and formidable only 10
fyrants.
Nv. To give board Of commissioners, ap-
pointed by The President, the power 10 deter
mine who shall vote for delegates 10 a conven-
ton, and TO be the sole judges of The election
and qualification of said delegates, and to make
tue action Of that convention final. in A matter
SO Important as the formation of constitution
and State government, is to erect power dan
gerous to popular rights, power irresponsible
TO the people-a despoiism and is assuming
tile power Of Congress to do that for which
there is no warrant in the constitution. and
which is suSversiye Of the grea, principles of
popular government.
V. One effect of refusing 10 submit the con.
sti'ution TO vote Of the people would be To
obvaie the necessity Of retaining ia the terrific
ry large body Of men during the winter. in
otder 10 vote on the constitution in the spring,
as It would be impossible 10 frame oonslitu-
ton. publish it and give the people time 10 dis
enss lis provisions, in order to give an inlelli-
gent vote upon its ratification, before probably.
the hrst OF March. ! am aware that il would
DC exceedingly lnconvenent 10 these people to
s'ay 10 our territory during the winter lpithou
houses and that houses and provisions are very
expensive things; nevertheless, as a citizen of
Kansas cannot consent that they should be al
lowed to finish their work BY the 4,h of No.
Vemoer and return 10 their homes, leaving the
people TO enjoy q a government established
against their own will and wishes and hence.
as c''zen and friend Of Kansas, must mos,
solemnly protest against this feature Of The
bill. "'
W. The bill further provides that the ratio
OF representation and the apportionmen, of del.
egates shall be determined by the number of
'o'efs' ana not the number OF inhabitants in The
territory and the respective districts; thus DIV.
ing to the mere adventurer, the "soldier of
ia al.