Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1857-12-17

people, though at the last, 43 ofthc so deleeatts
present affixed their signatures to the constitu-
ton.
large majority of the convention were in
favor of establishing slavery in Kansas. They
accordingly inserted an article in the constitu-
ton for this purpose similar in form to those
which had been adopted by other territorial
conventions. in the schedule, however, pro.
viding for the transition from territorial to
State government, the question hss been fairiy
and explicitly referred to the people. whether
they viii have constitution with or without
slavery" 1t declares that, before the constitu-
ton adopted by the convention "sha1l be sent
to Congress for admission into the Cnion rs q
State" an election shall be held to decide this
question, at which all the white male inhabi-
tants ofthe Territory above the age Of 81 are en-
titled to vote. They are TO vote by ballot, and
'the ballots cast at said election shall be en-
dorsed constitution with slavery. and 'eonsti-
luton with no slavery. If there be a majority
IN 1avor OF the constitution with slavery. thea
II Is TO be transmitted to Congress by the Pres
loent OF the Convention in its original form, IL,
on the contrary, there shall be majority in
favor OF the constitution with no slavery 'then
the article providing for slavery shall be stricken
from the constitution by the President of this
convention; and IL Is expressly declared that
'noslavery shall exist in the State of Kansas
except that the the right Of property in slaves
now in the Territory shall in no manner be inter-
fered with;' and in that event it is made his du-
ty to have the constitution thus ratified trans.
mitted in the Congress ofthe U. s. for the ad-
mission of the stote into the Union.
At this election every citizen viii have an op-
portuuity ofexpressing his opinion by his vote
whether Kansas shall be received into the
Union with CT without slavery and thus this
exciting question my be peacefully settled in
fhs,r r,oIa rodb b1-f tho 1axr
The election will be held under legitimate au-
tbority, and il any PORTION of the inhabitants
shall refuse to vote. fair opportunity do so has-
ing been presented, this viii be their Own vol
untary act, and they alone will be responsible
for the consequences.
Whether Kansas shall be a free or slave State
must eventually, under some authority, be de-
cided by an election; and the question can Rer-
er be more clearly or distinctly presented to the
people than it is, the present moment. Should
this opportunity be rejected, she may be involv-
ed for years in domestic discord, and possibly
in civil war, before she can make up the lssue
now so fortunately rendered, and again reach
the point she has already attained. Kansas has
for some years occupied too much of public at
tention. 1t is high time this should be direct
ed to far more important objects. When once
admitted into the Union, whether with or with
out slavery, the excitement beyond her own
HILLS Will speculN plSS dN ohu os4c VIA
then for the first time be left, she ought TO
have been long since, TO manage her own affairs
in her own way. If her constitution on tho
subject of slavery, or any other subject, be dis
pleasing TO 4 majority ofthe people no human
power can prevent them from changing it with
in brief period. Under these circumstances,
it may well be questioned whether the peace
and quite of the whole country are not ofgrenter
importance than the mere temporary triumph
of either of the political parties in Kansas.
Should the constitution without slavery be
adopted by the votes ofthe majority, the right of
property in slaves now in the territory are re-
served. The number of these in very small but
if it were greater, the provision would be equal
ly jrst and seasonabe. These slaves were
brought iqto the territory under the constitution
of the United States, and are now the property
of their master.
This point has at length been finally decided
by the highest judicial tribunall of the couR-
try, And this, upon the plain principle that
when eonfederacy of sovereign States acquire
a new territory at their joint expense. both
equality and justice demand that the citizens of
one and all OF them shall have the right to take
into it whatever is recognized as property by
the common constitution. To have summariiiy
confscated the property IN slaves already in the
territory. would have been an act of gross in JUS
tiee, and contrary to the practice Of the older
States OF the Union, which have abolished sl:-
very.
Speculation has oflate years prevailed to a
great extent in the public lands. The coRse-
quence has been that large portions Of them has
become the property of individuals and compa-
nies, and thus the price is greatly enhanced TO
those who desire to purchase for actual settle
ment. In order TO limit the area ofspeculatioH
as much rs possible, the extinction of the Indian
title, and the exteDtion of public surveys ought
only to keep pace with the tide of emigration.
If Congress should hereafter grant alternate
sections to States or companies they have
done heretofore, i recommend that the interme
dinte sections retained by the government shocld
be subject 20 precmptioR BY actual settlers.
1t ought ever TO lie our cardinal policy to re-
serve the public lands rs much as may be for
actual settlers. and this at moderate prices
We shall thus not only best promote the pros
perity of the new States and Territories, and the
power of the Union, but shall secure homes for
our posterity for many generations.
The extension of oui limits has brought with
in our jurisdiction many additionalan populous
tribes of Indians, a large propotioA of which arc
wild untractable and difficult to CONTROL
Predatory and warlike in their disposition and
habits, it is impossible altogether to resiraiz
them from committing aggrcssions on each other.
as well as upon our frontier citizens and those
emigrating to our distant States and Territories;
Hence, expensive military expeditions are fire.
quently necessary TO overawe and chastise the
more lawless and hostile.
The present system OF making them valuable
presents to influence them TO remain at peace
has proved Intellectual. 1t is believed to be the
better policy TO colonize them in suitable locali
ties, where they can receive rudimenis Of educa-
ton and be gradually induce to adopt habits of
industry. So far as the experiment has been
tried it has worked well in practise, and it viii
doubtless prove less expensive that the present
system.
The whole number of Indians within our ter
riturial limits is believed TO be from the best
date in the Indian Department, shout 30, 600.
The late disastrous monetary revulsion may
have one good effect should it cause both the
government and the people to rcturn4oihc prac-
tice of a wise and judieiors economy both in
public and private expenditures
An overfiowing treasury has led 10 habits OF
prodigality and extravagance in our Legislation
II has induced Congress 10 make large appro-
priations to objects for which they never would
have provided had it been necessary 10 raise the
amount Of revenue required TO meet them by in
crease taxation or loans. We are now compeii-
ed to pause in our career. and to scrutenize our
expenditures with the utmost vigilance; and N
performing this duty, I pledge my corporation
to the extent of my constitutional competency
The Era of Party Spies.