Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1857-07-15

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accepted the appointment of Governor of
Kansas. My instructions from the President,
through the Secretary of State, under date of
the 3Oth of March last, sustain regular le
gisature of the Territory" in assembling a
Convention to form Constitution" and they
express the opinion of the President that
g when such Constitution shall be submitted
to the people of the Territory, they must be
protected in tho exercise of their right of
voting for or against that instrument and the
fair expression of the popular will must not
be interrupted by fraud or violence.
come now to my own individual views
I" I repeat then, as my clear conviction, that
unless the Convention submit the Constitution
to the vote Of all the actual resident settlers
of Kansas, and the election be fairly and
Justly conducted, the Constitution will be,
and ought to be rejectedby Congress" Cries
Of good. arst1r 81 E7aE
Gentlemen, on this subject wish that there
should be no mistake, no apprehension as re-
CARDS my opinions and the policy which l
shall deem it my duty to pursue in the ad-
ministration of the Executive department of
the Territory of Kansas. 1t is involved IN a
few simple words That the majority of the
people of Kansas must govern cries right
that the majority of the people OF Kansas
must adopt their own Constitution or reject
it-that the majority of the people of Kansas
at the polls must decide whether they will be
Slave State or Free State. Applause.
Indeed, under whatever spccions DISCUSSES
any other doctrine may be presented, be-
lieye that the man who desires that the mi
nority of the people shall establish institutions
for the majority, is. whatever be may call
himself, neither Democrat or a Republican,
but a nonarchist or an aristocrat. He desires
that the few shall govern the many, whereas,
the great fundamental doctrine which lies at
the basis of all 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-operrtion to
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
we all agrce-at least I hope we do, as to the
doctrine that the majority of the people of
Kansas shall established their OWE constitution
and introduce such social institutions as the
majority prefer But how is this to be done:
The Congress of the United States has estab
lished for Kansas but one mode of action on
this subject, and that action Is through the
Territorial Legislature l-a--- g. ,.. s,.E e
Now, no one of you can regret more than
do any of those deplorable aud calamitous
circumstances which have taken place in the
past. For myself, I wish to overlook the past
and look forward to better and brighter
future. That Territorial Legislature has, IN
respect to the authority over this question,
been recognized by the acts of Congress of
1854 and 1857. That Legislature has called
a Convention to assemble in September next.
That Constitution they will OF they will not
submit to the vote of the majority ofthe then
actual resident settlers of Kansas If they
do not submit to it, will join you fellow
citizens, in lawful opposition to their course
(Cries Of good" and chccrs) And ! cannot
doubt gentlemen. that one much higher than
/, the Chief Magistrate of the Union, will
join you in opposition. But, gentlemen. for
myself cannot. doubt that that Convention
will submit such an instrument as they may
frame, for the adoption or rejection of the
whole people of Kansas, to all who now are or
then may be bora tide resident settlers of the
Territory of Kansas. Then, at that time.
and in pursuance of Che method designated
by the laws of your country, by the instruc-
tions of the Chief Magistrate of the Union,
who was placed there by the people and sworn
/ by them to execute the laws; do not enter
tain a doubt but that the Convention will
submit to the whole of the then bona fide set
tiers of Kansas the determination for them
selves by an actual majority ofthe whole people
whether they shall adopt or reject that Con-
stituticn. If they reject it there is an end of
that Convention, Ithas performed its efice
1t has adjourned never to meet 'again. 4
roice. What nextY' What next, you ask
/ gentlemen There are two other very easy
exits from the difficulty. and as tho question
is practical one, L propose to answer it. In
| October next not under the act of the late Ter
ritorial Legislature. but under the laws of
Congress. you the whole people of Kansas,
have right to elect Delegate to Congress,
and to elect Territorial Legislature; and
through that Legislature you can speak your
views and instruct them either to call new
| Convention to submit new Constitution for
the consideration of the peoplcior they can
instruct their Delegate to Congress chosen by
majority of their own votes to ask Congress
to pass law authorizing the people of ( an
sas to form State Constitution for themselves.
It is however quite certain, gentlemen
that in this mode there is in ary event o
peaceful, tranquil quiet exit from all the
EN- mbarrasments and difficulties by which you
are surrounded and that the time is, rapidly
coming, if it has not already arrived, when
the rules Of justice and the people shall
prevail in Kansas. Cheers. : : 's'sh-'
Then. gentlemen, WHAT'S the other mode
which is presented?i You are about to have
assembled here at Topeka. next week; what
is called the 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 = TIE. poo