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

people!woald be As an acquiescenee in the pro-
ceedings Of thoss who chose to act. But in thi.
case, in point of fact, it is well known that the
refusal Of the people to vote at the election was
not intended as any acquiescence in the result
On the contrary, however mistaken may have
been their views, they looked upon the whole
proceedings As unjust and unfair, and on that ac-
count refused to participate in them. We agree
that this opposition was factious. We condemn
It as earnestly as any other man can DO. Bot
still cannot close our eyes to the fact that the
delegates elected under these circumstances, do
not actually represent the feeling and opinions
of the great majority Of the people. They con
| stitute, however, legitimate body; they are
fully authorized to proceed to the execution Of
their great work. But in our humble judgment,
high sense Of duty-a delicate and jrst appre-
citation of their true relations to the people for
whom they are about to act, ought to induce them
BY all means to seek the support and approval of
those, whose highest interests they have in their
hands.
These considerations seem to US to be greatly
strengthened by another very important and un-
doubted fact, viz: that no less than fifteen coen-
ties of the Territory, comprising large popula-
ton, named in the convention bill, are wholly
omitted from the census, and are not in any man
ner represented in the convention. This omis-
sion cannot be said to have been the fault of the
people.
1t is true It is alleged that, in three of these
counties the officers are accused to have been in
Inundated from taking any census by the threats
Of few violent men, but surely this attaches no
blame to the mass of the people who desire to
vote, but in the remaining twelve counties the
people generally were most an ioHs to be embra
ced in the census, and be allowed to vote. But
the Sheriffs did not perform their duty because
there was no money in the Territorial Treasury
TO pay them for their services or even their nee
essary expenses, and the Sherifs were unable or
unwilling to do SO. Now, then, shall all these
fifteen counties, all named in the Convention
Law, be DISTINGUISHED, and have no voice what
ever as regards their form of government and
all their dearest rights. The whole country, an
overwhelming majority of the South, viii answer
No. ,laa'
The great mass of the people were not in any
way responsible for the failure, and they certain
ly ought not to be Extraordinarily it. How can
the difficulty be remediedl By the simple, easy,
obvious. practical and patriotic measure of sub
uniting the Constitution about to be framed, to
the acceptance of the people. This win cure all
defects, and give the highest sanction to the
great instrument which may be presented by the
Convention. 1t seems to US that nothing less
than this will meet the necessities of the case.
In presenting these reflections, no one viii ac-
cuse US of an attempt to dictate to the Conven-
ton. In the first place We are altogether too
humble to assume any sush right; and, in the
second place, the members of the Convention
themselves are very far above the reach Of any
such attempt, from whatever quarter it might
come. But they are not above the reach Of fair
argument. They are not beyond the pale Of OBJ
| legation to the people, whom they are about to
assist in the performance of their very highest
act of sovereignty. They cannot refuse to listen
TO an appeal based upon reason and truth, though
it may come from the humblest citizen of tho
land. In this spirit, We present our argument
for what it is worth, relying upon the justice and
patriotism, and high sense Of honor Of those who
compose the Convention, believing they will
leave undone nothing which may be pecessary
to give validity, strength, and permanenee to
their work. In this way they Sill endear them
selves to the people, and secure the lasting hon
ors which belong to those, who, in great emer-
gencies, know how to act generously and nObly.