The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-04-11
K A N S A S

KAN AS.
A Free State Convention assembled at To-
peka on the 10th ult., and remained in ses-
sion two days. 1t is represented as having
been the largest Convention ever held with
in the Territory. 1t was called to enable the
Free State inhabitants to compare opinions
and determine what course they will pursue,
in relation to the Act of the Territorial Leg
islature, recently in session at Lecompton,
authorizing census Of the inhabitants, and
an election OF delegates to form State Con-
stituton. From the resolutions adopted by
the Convention we insert the following az
showing the position which the Free State
men have decided to take upon the matter in
question -
We, citizens of Kansas. in delegate con-
venlion assembled, at Topeka, March 10, A..
ID. 1857. resolve ami declare:
Whereas, body Of men, re Gently assem-
Piled at Lecompton, and claiming to be The
legislative assembly of Kansas territory, have
adopted a regulation purportinG to be law
for tax ny the census aud electins delegates
to a constitutional convention, proposed to
he held in that place in September next
and, whereas, the said assembly was the
creature of fraud, and its members the rep
resentatives of people foreign to this terrific
ry and, whereas, the organic at does not
authorize the territorial legislative power
even when legisatively convened. TO PISS
any enabling act to change the government
of the same and. whereas. the act Of this as
semhly is pnrtizan in its character. clearly
contempates fraud, from the recurrence Of
which it offers inadequate security, while it
deprives the executive of the territory of the
power to prevent or remedy such frauds
leaves the control of the census and election
in the hands of pretended officers. not cho-
sen by the people of Kansas, who are Of vio-
lent character and hostile 10 the best inter
ests OF the territory and, whereas, said act
proposes TO disfranchiSe certain bona fiie set
Tiers of Kansas who have filed their derlara-
ton OF intention to become citizens of the
United States, recognized as voters by the
organic act; and, whereas, there is no pro-
the constitution so framed to the vote OF the
people of the territory ; therefore,
1. Resolved, That the people of Kansa,
territory cannot participate in any election,
under such regulations, without compromis-
ing their rights as American citizens. sacrl-
Gcing the best interests OF Kansas, and jeo-
pardizing the public peace.
This position, we think, is the only proper
and consistent one, which they can take. If
there were the mere shadow of rrobabiI
ity, that the proposed election Of delegate:
to form State Constitution would be con
Quoted so a, to represent the wishes and O
pinions Of ma ority Of the a"tual resident:
in the Territory, the case would be very
different one. The Free State men might
then, as we think. justly waive their ohjec
ton to the u>urpaton, which. under the name
of the Kansas Territorial Legislature has in
itiated these measures for forming State
Constitution, and take part in the election
without any sacrifice of consistency or prn
ciple and they would no doubt do so. 3u
there seems to be no ground to expect o.
hope for any such election. True, thu
President is said to have given to the new
Governor of the Territory an emphatic
charge, to see, " that the people have fire.,
and Independent expression of opinion, an,
exercise Of suffrage, in al! affairs of the Ter
ritory in carrying out the provisions Of tn.
Census Law, and that for the election of del
egates to the Constitutional Convention"
These declarations read and sound yer,
we'll. But similar things have been promis
ed heretofore, by the last administration, ant
in what manner they were fulfilled our read
ers have had ample information We hop,
the present administration will fulfil its prom
ises, as quoted above, and we wish we coult
find any evidence in anything it has thus fal
done. to furnish any good reason to believe
that it will. If the policy of the past admin
istration of Kansas affairs, is di'approved, if
it is not to be continued, it is time that some
intlmations Of the fact we're given But a.
yet we see none. No removal from office OF
appointments to it, within the Territory in
dictate this, but, on the contrary, the change:
and appointments thus far made all look a.
if intended to be full endorsement of tn.
policy of the last administration. In suci
circumstances, and while, too, the entire con
troll of the census and election is to be in the
hands Of the same mon who by fraud and vi
olence established the reisnirg usurpatior
within the Territory, we think the Ere.
State citizens of Kansas have wisely deter
mined to have no part in the election, pre-
ferrlng to wait for other opportunities ant
means to vindicate their right, and rescue
the soil consecrated to freedom from the
threatened curse of Slavery. That such
means and opportunities will, in due time be
afforded them, we have no doubt Not, how
ever, BY another and different administration
at Washington. dependent upon a popular
election. though We hope for that, but by the
higher administration Of a jus. Providence
whose purposes will be accomplished in re.
gard to Kansas, despite any State Consti-
tuition or established Institutions of men.
Recent accounts from the Territory repre-
sent the tide Of emigration tEither as hither.
to without precedent. That from tie Free