The north Iowa times. [volume] (M'Gregor [i.e. McGregor], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1857-07-31
PRCCL.K.E.7TEO.v.
TO TIE PEOPLE OF LAWRENCE. 4.
LEAyENwoErH, July Is, 1857.

e 81. LLAN ENN OhIi, cuiy 10, loo'. A.
| have learned that considerab
number of the citizens of Lawrence in
this Territory, have. adopted, as they
claim, by Il popular vote, a charter for
their government. A copy Of that
charte. has been placed in my hands !;
upon comparing which with that grant
ed by the Territorial Legislature, last
winter, l find chat they differ intention
ally in many essential particulars. The
new charter, then, is set up, not only
without any authority of law, but in
direct and open defiance of an act of the
Territorial! Legislature on the same sub
ject. ,.. ... -r
On this point your committee, whose
views have been adopted by you, make
the following statement
Under ordinary circumstances the
more regular method of proceeding
would be to obtain charter from the
Territorial authorities. AS the Terri
torial government, however, in no sense
represents the people Of Kansas, was
elected by them, and can have no right
to legislate for them, we cannot accept
a charter at its hands. And, as the
State Government has not, as yet deem
ed it advisable to proceed to the organi-
zation of local and municipal govern
ments, we cannot obtain charter from
it. There is therefore left us only the
alternative of charter springing di-
rectly from the people, or continuance
in our present unorganized condition.
Under these circumstances, you
have seen fit to instruct us to present g
charter, having discussed its provisions
in a preliminary assemblage, and now
propose to submit it to a full vote of the
people for approval or rejection" Ill
1t will be perceived that the authority
of the Territorial Government is here
distinctly denied, and whilst that of the
so.called State Government is acknowl
edged. it is conceded that no charter
has been granted by them. Indeed, i
is fact that, although this So called
State Government has, in itself, no lega
existence or authority, yet you asked
and failed to receive charter from
them. s<@ s s" -.@"" -.=.st
Under tLcse circumstances, you hay,
proceeded to establish government TO
the city of Lawrence, in direct detianc
of the Territorial government, ant
denying its existence or authority. 70,
have granted to this city governmen
the authority to elect Mayor and Boart
of Aldermen, City Assessor, Treasurer
Justices of tho Peace, City Marshal
&c. You have granted to the Mayo
and Aldermen most extensive powers
including the right to levy and collec
taxes upon real and personal propcrt,
within the limits of the city, whethc
belonging to residents ornon- residents
and all the other powers usually inciden
to city government.
You have imposed upon all these OF
fcers the duty of taking an oath to sup
port this so-called State Constitution
| thus distinctly superseding, SO far as i
your power, the Territorial Government
created by the Congress of the Unite,
States. You have caused these pro
ceedings to be printed in handbill form
and have distributed them, as ! am in
formed, throughout the Territory, wit
the view to incite other cities, towns an
counties Of Kansas, to establish insul
rectionary governments, thereby placin
| the people of this Territory, SO far as j
: your power. in open conflict with I'll
Government Of the United States.
The more considerable portion Of you
party having induced your Topeka Les
isla!ure to enact the laws urged by yo.
creating municipal government, yo
have even in defiance of their authort,
which you profess to acknowledge, prt
ceeded to create such government fe
Lawrence, are now urging other loea
tiles to pursue a similar course. Yol
evident purpose is thus to involve IL
! whole Territory in insurrection, and I
o renew the scenes Of bloodshed and civ
war. Upon you. then, must r,st all IL
J J guilt aud responsibility of this conten
!, plated revolution, You will I've just
chargeable in law and in conscsonce vi
; all the blood that may be shed in tb
. contest, and upon you must fall 4
punishment.