White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1857-10-01

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were exceedingly few; and as to acts of the Ter,
ritorial Legislatures, they knew that these had
been ruled BY the highest authority to be invalid
and of no effect. It was alsosaid that, although
4 the people had been prevented from electing
their Legislature, as the Organic Act of the Ter
ritory required, yet while the Territorial Gov
eminent remained technically intact, State
Government would be rival, revolutionary
movement, putting the authority Of the United
States Government in dispute.
And the people knew that the Constitution of
the United States contained no provision what
ever for Territorial Government anywhere;
that the trainers of that instrument did not con-
template the acquisition of new Territory to the
Union; that the Territorial Government was
therefore the creature of temporary necessity
l-of extra Constitutional Legislation--a mere
"protectorate "a thing incident to 4 transient
sovereignty; and that when the State govern
ment-the natural and recognized status of the
community-camei into existence, the Territorial
government expired with the necessity which
created it. The people of Kansas knew that
the Government Of the United States itself had
proceeded upon those principles in the admission
of States into the Union, and had thus given
them its legal sanction, and rendered them au-
thoritative. They, therefore, assumed the
ground, after duly weighing the objections urged
TO it, with the most perfect assurance Of its cor
rectness, as matter Of law and established gov
enmental policy.
The opposition made by the Administration at
Washington, and It's party throughout the coun-
try, to this course of the people of Kansas, has
not, in the slightest degree, weakened their con-
fdenee in it, or lessened their determination to
adhere to it to the end They are satisfied thatits
prepriety would never have been called in ques-
ton, as a matter of serious moment, had not the
Federal Administration sought, by so doing, to
serve a special purpose in behalf of slavery. So
confident are our people in the stand they have
thus taken, that they would be perfectly willing
to permit their State Government to proceed to
the regular Performance of its functions, without
any regard to the Territorial Government, were
it not for settled wish on their part to do moth
ing which may subject them to the charge of Ill
ira views, or desire to incur violence, even in
the assertion OF heir rights. They have pre-,
ferred to turn aside, for the time being. from
their State organization, and to make an effort
to secure, through the Territorial ballot-boxes,
peaceful possession of the Territorial Govern
ment; and, to this end, they have determined to
try their chances in the October election.
But we frankly avow ourselves not sanguine of
success. 1t is true that Mr. Walker, our FEEDER
al Governor, has declared that he will afford US,
to the best of his ability, full and fair election,
before impartial judges; but, with out past e1-
perience, we find it difficult to indulge in any
hope of justice from the agents of the Federal
, Administration. By the law of the election, all
but those who have resided six months or moro
in the Territory, are excluded from hepolls.-
The system of districting and apportionment for
members Of the Legislature, shows an unques-
tionable determination to introduce voters from
abroad. Sixteen Counties, strongly Free State.
containing nearly one-half Of the entire popula-
ton of the Territory, are not allowed a single
representative ineither branch. 0fthe thirteen
members of the Council, all but three; and OF
the thirty nine members of the House OF Repre-
sentatives, all but ten, to be elected in dis
. tricts bordering on the Missouri line. Topeka
is connected with Fort Scott; and Lawrence is
attached to the Shawnee Mission, adjoining
A Westport. The Lawrence district Is also made
TO embrace an indefinite extent of country, hav-
ing no geographical connection whatever with it,
away of in the region of the Rocky Mountains,
e occupied only by an Indian trading post, here
!, and there, at which fictitious precincts may be
g made, and from which fictitious returns may be
sent in, at any time after the election, to over
come the Free State vote. Besides these things,
!. our enemies have comp'ete possession of all the
q, machinery Of the election. Establishing the pla-
ces for voting, appointing the judges, canvassng
the returns, declaring the result of the election
and all other matters of details, are in the hands
= Of the County Commissioners, who were them,
= selves elected by fraud and violence from Mis-
a souri, Mr.. Abel, partner Of Suingfellow, say:
). that Kansas will not be given up;" and Gen
eral Atchison sounds the note Of renewed prep
70 aration to South Carolina, and declares that
n :" with one more effort the work is done" With
- the Administration against us; with half the
a six months voters virtually DISTINGUISHED; with
: an election law framed expressly to keep the
!. newly immigrants from the polls, with the hel
lish system Of distrieting and aPpOrtionmCut sta
. ring US in the face; with most of the officers o.
election Border Rufians of the deepest dye
:. with the slave party is Missouri boldly avowing
;. through General Atchison, their determination
to invade us; with only the already half-viola
ted pledge of Governor Walker to rely on; We
n do not feel at liberty to cherish any very lively
expectations Of fair election. We wish jus
= tee and freedom; but we will do our best to Sc
cure them without imperilling the public peace
We have fearful difficulties to contend with; We
. must try to overcome them. But should w
again be overwhelmed by invasion from abroad
:. or by fraud at home, will the Federal govern
:. ment still regard with disfavOr our pending ap
plication for admission as State into the Union
" In that event, viii, not all good men sustain
US in giving effect to our State Government a
Of all hazards7 At any rate, this may be regarded
al as the only attempt which will ever be made q
e. adjust our great difficulty under the Territorial
n, Government. What may be done after that
y. however, it is not our province 70 declare
ct Before closing this address, the 'Comnitte'
o. desire to submit . few remarks for The esPeeia
al consideration Of the people Of Missouri IS