Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-12-16

tons have a direct az they have an appropriate
reference to slavery. stDomestic Institutions are
limited to the famly.T The relation between mas |
ter and slave and a few others are sdomestie in
stitutions and entirely distinct from institu-
tions Of aPolitical character Besides: there was
no question then before Congress, nor indeed has
there since been any serious question before tue
people Of Kansas the country. except that when
relates TO the domestic Institution Of slavery
The convention, after an angry and excited de-
bate. finally determined by majority of only
two 10 submit the question of slavery To the peo-
pie, though at The last fortythree OF the nifty del
egates present affixed their signatures to the CON
stitutiOn. ! 90
A large majority of the convention were in favor
Of establishing slavery in Kansas They accor-
dinghy inserted article IN The constitution Tor
this purpose. similar IN form TO those Whicn had
been adopted by other territorial conventions. In
the schedule, however providing for the transition
from territorial TO State government, the ques-
ton has been fairly and explicitly referred TO the
people, whether they viii have constitution
with or without slavery" 1t declares that be-
fore the constitution adopted by the convention
EshaII be sent TO Congress for admission into the
[ Union as a State. election shall be held to de-
eide this question, at which all the white male IN
habitants of the territory above the age OF u, are
entitled TO vote They are TO vote by ballot, and
the ballots cast nj said election shall be endorsed
constitution with slavery and constitution with
no slavery - IF there be majority in favor OF
the constitution with slavery, then ii Is to be
transmitted to Congress by the president of the
convention. in its original form If on the con-
! traTy, there shall be majority in favor OF the
constitution with slavery,, then tbs article
providing for slavery shall be stricken from the
constitution By the president OF this convention
and il Is expressly declared that mo slavery SHAH
exist in the State Of Kansas except that the right
of property in slaves now IN the Territory snail
/ in manner be interiered with - and IN that G.
vent IL is made his duty to-have the constitution
/ thus ratified transmitted 10 the Congress OF the
United States for the admission of the state INTO
/ the Union. At this election every citizen VIII
have opportunity. Of expressing his opinion by
/ his vote '.whcther Kansas shall be received into
the Union with without slavery and thus this
exciting question may be peacefully settled in the
/ very mode required by the organic law. The e.
lection viii be heiu under legitimate authority
and if any portion of the Inhabitants shall refuse
presented, this Will be their own voluntary act
and they alone viii be responsible for the cOnse
queRces Whether Kansas shall be free or
slave State must eventually, under some authori
/ ty. be decided by an election; and the question
can never be more clearly or distinctly presented
4 to the people than it is at the present moment
| Should this opportunity be rejected she may be
! involved for years in domestic discoTd, and posi-
| bly, in civil war, before she can again make up
| the issue now so fortunately rendered and again
reach the point she has already attained.
Kansas has for some years occupied too much of
the public attention. II is high time this should
| be directed to far more important objects. When
! once admitted into the Union, whether with or
| without slavery, the excitement beyond her own
limits viii speedily pass away and she will then
for the hrst time be left she ought to have been
long since, TO manage her own affairs in her own
way. If her constitution on the subject of slavery
or any other subject be dispieasing to major
| ity of the people. no human power can prevent
them from changing it within brief period. I'm
der these circumstances it may we'll be question
| Cd whether the peace and quiet Of the whole eoun-
! try are not of greater importance than the mere
temporary triumph Of either Of the political par
ties in Kansas
Should the constitution without slavery be a.
depted by the votes Of the majority the rights Of
property slaves now in the Territory are reserved
The number Of these is very small; but if it were
greater the provision would be equally just and
reasonable. These slaves were brought into the
territory under the constitution of the United
States, and are the property of their masters
| This point has at length been finally decided by
| the highest judicial tribunal Of the country-and
I this upon the plain principle that when confede-
/ racy Of sovereign States acquires new territory
at their joint expense both equality and justice
demand that the citizens of and all of them
shall have the right 10 take into ii whatsoever Is
| recognized as property by the common Constitu-
/ ton. To have summaTi!y cOnfscated the property
! in slaves already in the Territory would have
been act Of gross injustice, and contrary TO the
practice Of the older States of the Union which
have abolished slavery.
| UTAH AFFAIRS. 1 -.E ...
y territorial government was established for
/ Utah by act of Congress approved the 9Th
Sept 1850. and the constitution and laws OF
the United States were thereby extended over
It $50 far as the same. or any provisions there
of, may be applicable.'' This act provided foI
the appointment by the President, by and with
the advice and consent of the Senate of a
governor, who TO be cx-oficio superiuteu-
dent of Indian affairs, 4 secretary, three judges
of the supreme court, a marshal, and district
attorney. Subsequent acts provided for the
! appointment of the officers necessary to extend
our land and our Indian system over the Ter
ritOry. Brigham Young was appointed first
governor, on the 10th September, 1850, and
has held the Office ever since.
Whilst Governor Young has been both gov
ernor and superintendent of Indian affairs
throughout this period, he has been at the
same time the head of the church called the
Latter-day Saints, and Processes to govern it:
members and dispose OF their property by di
rect inspiration and authority from the Al
mighty. His power has BEEN therefore, alb
solute over both Church and State.
The people of Utah, almost exclusively, be
long to this church, and believing with fanat
icol spirit that he is governor OF the Territory
, by Divine appointment, they obey his com
mandS as II these were direct revelations from
I Heaven. If, therefore, Inc chooses that hi:
government shall come into collision with the
government of the United States, the mem
berS OF the Mormon church will yield implicit
obedience to his will. Unfortunately exist
ing facts leave but little doubt that such is hi:
determination. Without entering upon min
{ ute history Of occurrences, it is sufficient Il
, say that all the officers of the United States
judicial and executive. with the single eXcep
tiOn of two Indian agents, have found it neces
, sary Tor thelr own personal safety to Withdraw
from the Territory, and there no longer re
; mains any government in Utah but the despot
Ism Of Brigham Young. This being the con
ditIon of affairs in the Territory, l could no
mistake the path of duty. As Chief Execu
4 tive Magistrate, was bound to restore the su
n premacy of the Constitution and laws within
us liihl's. In order to effect this purpose,
: appointed a new governor and other federal of
, ficers for Utah, and sent with them a militar,
force for their protection, and to aid as a poss
coulitatus, in case OF need, in the execution o
\ the laws.