The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-03-27
AFFAIRS IN KANSAS.

AFFAIRS IN KANSAS.
Meeting Of the Northumberland of Governo,
Robinson-Proceedings in the Senate Of the
| United States-The Question of the 0rganiza-
ton Of State Governments.
The Kansas papers contain a report of the
proceedings of the opening of the new Legis
ture under the State Constitution
The meeting took place ON the 4th instant,
| thirtytwo Representatives and eleven Senators
| being present. Colonel Lane, Chairman OF
the Provisional Committee of the Territory,
| called the Senate to order, and administered
the oath of Office to w. Y. Roberts, Lieutenant
Governor, who then took the chair. The usual
officers were elected. The House chose 2. A.
Minard, Speaker, and then completed its orgkni
ization.
On the 9Th, Governor Robinson sent IL his
message, which occupies nearly nine colemns
of the Herald Of Freedom. 1t is written with
strength, but without polish, and deals with the
President, and his messages relating to Kan,
sas, in true "squatter STYLE" In regard to
the Territorial Government, he remarks
at will be remembered that skeleton of a
Government still exists in our midst, under the
Territorial form, and, although this was but the
foreshadowing of a new and better cove,,ant,
collision with it should be carefully guseded
against. A Territorial Government is trartient
in its nature, only waiting the action Q the
people to form a Government of their own.
This action has been taken by the people OF
Kansas and it only remains for the Gre 1eral
10
priatons, recall its officers, and admit K; ,nsas
into the Union as q sovereign State"
Many reasons why it should be suspended
are assigned: it has failed to protect the in
| habitants of the Territory; it has not epaana-
ted from them, nor is it sanctioned by them
it has been and is still an instrument of OF pres
| sion. Z
"Not only is the Territorial Governme! the
| instrument of oppression and subjugati n OF
the people, but, under it, there is no hopes, re-
| lief. The organic act permits the Legis ,ture
to prescribe the qualification of voters, al the
so-called Legislature has provided that nc man
| shall vote in any election who will not DO the
knee to the dark image of Slavery, and ap. oint
ed officers for the term of four years to Sc that
| this provision is carried out Thus ninet snths
of the citizens are disfranchised, and deb srred
| from acting under the Territorial Govern aent
| if they would"
After detailing other matters of complaint,
| the Governor says:
at is manifestly improper for the Fe leral
officers to dictate into or out of Kansas sa in.
stitution over which Congress professed to have
no authority. 1t is understood that the deputy
marshal has private instructions to arresI the
| members of the Legislature and the State off.
GERS, for treason, as soon as this address s re-
| ceived by you. In such an event, of course no
| resistance will be offered to the officer. Men
who are ready to defend their own and their
country honor with their lives can never object
to legal investigation into their action, nor to
suffer any punishment their conduct may merit
We should be unworthy the constituency we
represent, did we shrink even from martyrdom
| on the scaffold or at the stake, should duty re-
quire it. Let what will come, not finger
should be raised against the Federal authority,
until there shall be no hope of relief but in
revolution"
Resolutions were passed by the House, sym
! pathizing with the relatives of Messrs. Brown
end Baker, murdered not long since b. the
"Ruffians."
On the 9th, the Governor transmitted the
following special message to the Assembly:
EXECUTIVE OFFICE, March 6, 1856.
To the Senate and House of Representatives. OF
the State Of Kansas:
GENTLEMEN: As there appears to be differ
| ence of opinion in regard to the right of law.
making by the General Assembly, and also in
| regard to the construction to be put upon my
| communication upon this subject to your hon.
orable bodies on the 4th instant, it is pfaper
for me to state that the message of the As in
slant was intended to recommend no court to
be taken in opposition to the General Go. ern-
ment, or to the Territorial Government, lille
| it shall remain with the sanction of Congr IS.
| Collision with either is to be avoided.
That the people of the Territory have light
| to peaceably assemble and memorialize Con-
| gress or the President, and to adopt Conltitu.
ton, and appoint such official agents, ami do
such other acts as are indispensable to the &C.
ton of a State, especially to its action as a
member OF the Union, prior to its admission,
there is no doubt, provided the proceedings are
in strict subordinstion to the power of Con-
gress.
To this extent people may go, in conform
ity to law, and for this there can be no penalty
G. ROBINSON.
Upon the receipt of the above message, the
| following resolution was passed in the House
resentatioes of the State of Kansas, That the
laws enacted by the present Legislature shall
not have effect until an act be passed by the
| present or some future Legislature, declaring
them in force, except by special provision"
| The House hereupon adjourned.
Sheriff Jones, it is said, was present dfring
the proceedings, but no attempt was mads by
him or any other functionary to interfere. 1t is
evident that the leaders of the Free State I arty
intend to abstain from any act which would Five
pretext for the interposiion of the Fee eral
authorities. The President, in his mess age,
characterizes the movement for State lov.
eminent as revolutionary" but this a
vague term, and means nothing criminal uader
our laws. He proceeds to say: :,
III tciN become reasonable insurrection IF Il
| reach the length of organized resistdncss by
force, to the fundamental or any other Federal
Aa'c, and TO the authority Of the General Coo
ernment."
The movement has not reached, and is not
intended to reach, that point SO that the reports
of the intention of Governor Shannon to arrest
the members of the Legislature and the Exec
| utive officers are doubtless without foundation.
Thus far, the People have done no more han
they have right to do, even under the Federal
laws and the enactments of the sham Lagis-
lature Of the Territory. The Governor, ID his
message, replying to remark of the President,
| that the movement for Free State Govern
mens is party movement, presents brief his
tory of the matter. ~
A bill proposing n Convept;on tn form n