The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1857-07-02
Speech of Gov. walker, Of Kansas,
TO II,n FREQ SlRIe Men Ia TOneIAH,

place. The logic and suggestions Of the Cover
nor are admirable, and must meet with the CON
currence of every right thinking man of every
party in the Territory. The visit of Governor
Walker to Topeka, was in response to an in
vitation which be received from its resident in
habitants. After being introduced by Col. Hol-
yday, and aluding to the past condition of the
Territory, Gov. Walker reiterated his before
strongly expressed opinion that, if the COnven-
ton did not submit the Constitution they made,
to the people, Congress would, and should reject
it. On this point he said:
"Indeed, under whatever specious DISCUSSES
any other doctrine may be presented, | believe
that the man who desires that the minority of
the people shall establish institutions for the
majority, is, whatever he may call himself nei-
ther Democrat nor republican, but monar-
chist or an arstccrat. lie desires that the few
shall govern the many, whereas, the great iun-
damental doctrine which lies at the basis Of all
our American institutions, and upon which they
all repose, and which has been carried into sue
cesslul operation in every other State but Kan
sas and which, gentlemen, with your aid and
cooperation to sustain me, it is my sincere hope
shall obtain it's fullest realization here is the
rule of the majority.
"Now, then, gentlemen, as to the mode in which
this is to be accomplished. | presume we all
agree-at least hope we do-as to the doctrine
that the majority of the people of Kansas shall
establish their own constitution, and introduce
such social institutions as the majority prefer
But how is this to be done? The Congress of
| the United States has established for Kansas
but one mode Of action on this subject, and that
action is. through the Territorial Legislature.
b.. * 4
| II T L.,
spect to the authority over this question: been
recognized by the acts of Congress Of 1854 and
1857. The Legislature has called a convention
to assemble in September next. That constitu-
ton they will, or will not submit to the vote Of
the majority of the then actual resident settlers
of Kansas If they do not do it, | will join you,
fellow citizens, in lawful opposition to their
course. Cries of ''good," and cheers. And
cannot doubt, gentlemen than one much high
er than |, the Chief Magistrate Of the Union,
will join you in opposition. But, gentlemen,
for myself, cannot doubt that that Convention
will submit such an instrument as they may
frame, for the adoption or rejection of the whole
people of Kansas, to all who are now, or then
may be actual b0na file resident settlers of the
Territory of Kansas.
"If they reject it, there is an end of that
SOHNGullUtls IL llS UllICCJ IL Has
adjourned, never to meet again. A voice;
"What nextH'1 What next, you ask, gentle
men? There are two other very exits from the
difficulty and, as the question is practical one
propose to answer it. In October next, not
under the act of the Territorial Legislature, but
under the laws of Congress you, the whole peo-
pie Of Kans rs, have right to elect delegate to
/ Congress, and to elect Territorial Legislature;
and through that Legislature you can speak
your views and instruct them either to call a
new Convention TO submit new constitution
for the consideration of the people, or they can
instruct their delegate to Congress to pass law
authorizing the people of Kansas to form State
| Constitution for themselves"
The Governor then paid his respects to that
miserable hobby of faction, the Topeka Con-
stitution, which it suits the purposes Of malcon-
tents to sustain He said:
"'rhen, gentlemen, what is the other mode
which is presented. You are about to have as
sembled here at Topeka, next week, what is
called the State Legislature, for they tell you
that they are now about to convene a Legisla-
ture for the State of Kansas. Who elected that
Legislature? A voice; "The people, The
pe0pc Why the whole vote given for your
so-caled constitution, as claimed by yourselves,
was but one thousand en-hundred and thirty
one, whereas there are now registered over ten
thousand votes, as residents here on the 18th Of
March last exclusive Of the thousands omitted
or who have arrived here since that date The
people, Do you mean to tell me that one thou
slnd seven hundred and thirty-onc votes consti-
tute the whole number of votes in the Territory
of Kansas? a voice: "'Ihat was year and a
half sgo"l But should those one thousand sew
en- hundred and thirty-one votes year and a
half ago impose constitution for all time to
come upon the present people of Kansas? A
voice: mot against their wilI.' Should the
constitution be submitted to their will for adop-
ton or not? A voice: "Yes."
THAT, gentlemen, is the great question, so
far as they are concerned But ] understand
you claim to be a state now, and your so called
Legislature, chosen by small number of votes,
propose next week to enact laws to be enforced
in Kansas. The miserable minority, consttu-
ting not one tenth of the present people Of Kan.
sas, propose--in absolute defiance of the acts Of
Congress, and in open rebellion, mark you. gen
tlemen, not only against the Territorial laws
but against the laws and government of the
United States-to assemble here, and represent
ing one thousand seven hundred and thirty one
people, impose this constitution BY force upon
the people Of Kansas, by the enactment of lawSs
| + A voice. "Where are those ten thousand voters
that are not on the record?' Some inadver.
tently omitted-many who would not register
and thousands who have arrived since the 18th
of March last. AS regards the register, however
[ saw to you that it is of comparatively little
4 consequence, if the constitution be submitted
to the whole people.
Il X 4 g. \
l"[ Several voices: "That is right" Another
voice: "What about the bogus laws?' Ant
now, am asked: what about the bogus laws?
Why, your very Governor Mr. Robinson, has
! acknowledged those bogus laws by putting into
effect charter passed by that bogus Legislature
J and SO have many of you and nearly all Tho
people of Kansas. And, if the bogus Lcgisa
ture has power to pass charters, 1t has power t.
pass any other law not in conflict with Tho
Constitution OF the United States. A voice
t "How are those inspectors to be appointedT;-
J They must be appointed fairly and impartialy
of course. [ A voice: "Whois to appoint them?'.
doubt not that the Convention will prescribe
n fair, Just and impartial method, as they do ii
other States. voice: "They did, in giving
us two hundred and eighty voters in this coun,
ty." Laughter Well, gentlemen, lc' US lool
: at that question: What have these two hun,
dred and eighty voters, if you have all fail
vote next fall on the Constitution! A voice
} 'rrhere has been no census takef. That has
nothing on earth to do with the question. -
"But while must deeply regret and deplore
the circumstance that there has been an INSULT
cient census, what am | to think when told by
those who profess to represent tho Republican
i party Of this Territory, that tell you that yol
should neither register or vote. You. weit
kept from registering, as youall know, by fol
lowing the advice ofthesc party leaders fyour
and then complain they cannot vote. You coult
, have registered here, if you pleased, and hun