Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-07-03

OF Kansas at the polls must decide whether thew
VIII De Slave State or Free State. TApplause1
Indeed under whatever specious DISCUSSES any
other doctrine may be presented, I believe that
the man who desires that the minority of the peo-
pie shall establish institutions for the msiortv is
whatever he may call himself, neither Democrat
OF Republican, but monarchist aristocrat.
de desires that the few shall govern the many
whereas, the great fundamental doctrine which
lies at the basis of ale our American Institutions
and upon which they all repose, and which has
been carried into successful operation in every
other State but Kansas, and which, gentlemen,
with your aid and CO operation sustain me- it is
my sincere hope shall obtain its fullest realization
| here, Is the rule of the majority.
Now, then, gentlemen as to the mode in which
| this is to be accomplished. presume all agree
at least hope we do-as To the doctrine that
the majority of the people of Kansas shall estab-
! fish their own constitution aud introduce such So
clal institutions as the maj OTity prefer But how
Is this to be done? The Congress OF the United
States has established for Kansas but one mode of
action ION this subject, and that action is through
| the Territorial Legislature.
| Now, none OF you can regret more than do any
OF those deporaDle and calamitous circumstances
which have taken place in the past. For myself, l
wish 10 overlook the past and look forward to a
better and brighter future. That Territorial Legis-
| lature has, in respect to the authority over this
question, been recognized by the acts of Congress
| of 1854 and 1857.
That Legislature has called Convention to as
| sembe in September next. That Constitution thew
will, they will not submit to the vote of the ma
orty of the then actual resident settlers Kansas
II they do not thus submit iL will Join YOU fellow
citizens, in lawful opposition their course. TCries
| OF good, and cheers And ean:ot doubt, gen.
| tlemer, that one much higher than /, the Chief
Magistrate of the Union, will join you in opposition
| But, gentlemen, for myself, l cannot doubt that
that Convention will submit such an instrument as
they may frame, for the adoption rejection of the
whole people OF Kansas, to all who now are or the
ha nofV.o L., II. - Al
Territory of Kansas. Then, at that time and in
pursuance of the method designated by the laws of
country, by the instructions of the Chief Mag
istrate of the Union who placed there by she
people and sworn by them to execute the laws:
do not entertain dOuba but that that Convention
will submit to the whole of the then bona fde set
tiers of Kansas, the determination for themselves
by an actual majority of the whole people whether
they shall adopt or rel ct that Constitution. If
they reject it there is end of the Convention 1t
has performed its Office 1t has adjourned never to
meet again. Il voise-"What next?"1 What
next, you ask, gentlemen? There two other
very easy exits from the difficulty, and the ques
tion is practical one, propose to answer it. Ia
October next not under the act of the late terrific
rial Legislature, but under the laws of Congress,
you the whole people of Kansas, have right to
elect a Territorial Legislature; and through that
Legislature you can speak your views and instruct
them either to call Convention to submit
new Constitution for the consideration OF the peo-
ple they instruct their Delegate to Con-
gress chosen by a majority of their own votes, to
ask Congress to pass a law authorizing the people
of Kansas to form State Constitution for them
selves
It is quite certain, gentlemen, that in this mode
there is any event peaceful, tranquil, quiet exit
from all the embarrassments and difficulties by which
you are surrounded, and that the time is rapidly
coming, if it has not already arrived, when the
rule of justice and the people shall prevail in Kan
sas. [Cheers.
Then, gentlemen, what is the other mode which
is presented. You are about TO have assembled
here Topeka, next week, what is called the State
Legislature, for they tell you that they are now
about to convene a Legislature for the State of
Kansas Who elected that Legislature? A voice
"the people."] The people Why the whole vote
given for your so-called Constitution claimed by
yourselves, but ,73l; whereas, there are now
registered over 10, 900 votes, residents here on
the 18th of March last, exclusive of the thousands
omitted, or who have arrived here since that date.
The peOplel Do you mean to tell me that l,7Sl
votes constitute the whole number of votes in the
Territory of Kansas? A voice-"That was year
and half ago." But should these !, 73l votes a
year and half ago impose constitution for all
time to come upon the present people of Kansas
A voice-''NOt against their will Should the
Constitution be submitted to their will for adoption
or not2 A voice-"Yes" That, gentlemen, is
the great question, so far as they are concerned.
But understand you claim to be a State, and that
your so-called Legislature, chosen by a small num-
, Der of votes, propose next week to enact laws to
| be enforced in Kansas. This miserable minority,
constituting not tenth of the present people O
Kansas, propose, in absolute defiance OF the acts
of Congress. and IN open rebellion mark you, gen.
temen, not only against the Territorial laws, but
| against the laws and government OF the United
E States to assemble here, and, representing ,731
people, impose this Constitution by force upon the
| people of Kansas by the enactment OF laws. A
voice-"Where are those 10, 600 voters that are
not on the record?"l Some inadvertently omitted
many who would not register, and thousands who
| have arrived since the 18th of March last As re-
CARDS the register however, say to you that It is
OF comparatively little consequence, if the Consti-
tuition be submitted to the whole people.
1t may suit the purpose ct faction to ask such
questions by those who refused to register, but the
substantive is that the Constitution can be OF nc
force effect unless it is submitted TO the vote oil
the people, and il it is submitted It Is Tor them
, to declare whether they will adopt it or not. But
here comes a body of men acting in defiance OF the
laws of Congress, and in open rebellion against
the governments of the United States, representing,
according TO their statement, less than one
: tenth of the people OF Kansas, who come forward
aud say that the people next fall shall not decide this
question That neither you nor /, nor any OF our
felow-citizens elsewhere throughout the territory,
shall have the right TO determine whether We shall
accept the new Constitution, or reject il!
Gentlemen, l come here for purposes OF peace
and pacicaton. | come here TO inangurate the
rule OF law of Justice, and of the whole people oil
Kansas by giving them all opportunity of adopt
ing their Constitution instead Of allowing q
, handful of ,73l men thrust q Constitution on
: them, by adopting a code OF laws, prepared by
their various committees, cut and dry, TO put IN
operation they meet, binding the whole
people of the Territory and depriVing them OF the
right to decide on their own form OF government
aud to adopt their own Constitution.
, (CoNCLUDED TOMORROW