The Kanzas news., 1857-06-20

u
Tsrassorl Legislature never originated the steps
to Eziich this inaugural refers; had that action
come simply from the .. people, it legitimateiy
should, there would still have been the strongest
reazons Why ali men should refrain from parfiei-
pating In act so grossly fraudulent and despot-
ie As this pretended census, and partial apporion
ment under 1t. In any event such proceedings viii
iHexisaby fall to the ground, as lacking IN that
grat essential, the popular will, which alone could
give 1t vitality. Although that sta nge appcrtion
ment, which deliberately coneemplates tlisfran-
chising one half of the people, was issued a week
previous 20 the inaugural of Gov. Walker there
was not the slightest alluSion 10 it in that docu
Hent And yet the evidence of the fact was of
easy access to him, and he was not ignorant of it
What does he mean when he says sThe law has
performed its entire, appropriate functions when it
extends to the people the right of suffrage" Has
1t done So or Gov. Walker Ignorant that 1t has
mott He adds:
Throughout our whole Union, however, and
wherever free government prevails those who ab-
stain from the exercise of the right of Suffrage au-
thorizd those who do vote to act for them in that
contingency, and the absentees are as much bound
under the law and the constitution, ichere there Is
10 fraud and UioLence by the act of the majority
tef hose who do vote though all had partfeipa-
ted IN the election"
T It would be needless to tell you that such po-
sden, however good, is quite inapplieabie to the
sc-eailed census law and all the proceedings un-
der IT. 1t originated in usIIrPing fraud and ev-
cry step in the process has been fraud. 1t is |
not proposed election to ascertain the wishes of
of which is carefully framed to accomplish Ger
aia result. But if It's applicability cannot be
f5EIstd In those proceedings, let suggest uaere
& can be applied In the proceedings under
vileh the State Constitution framed and rat
|zsssa. al the actual voters had the privilege of
participating. Men of all parties did do so, and
if any portion declined, it simply because
they feared to hazard the policy they were try
ing TO thrust on kBnzas, to a popular vote.
How are we TO reconcile the two positions of
this federal inaugural first, that the people alone
must freely and fairly make or change their con-
stituton; end secondly that The territorial legis-
lature is the power ordained for this purpose by the
Congress of the United States; and in opposing it /
you oppose the authority of the federal govern
1nent''
Well knowing the complaint that the 'legisla
ture referred to did not derive its power from the
people of Kanzas, he makes up for its lack of pop
ular legitimacy thus:
"That legislature was called into being bv the |
Congress of 1854; and is recognised in the very
latest Congressional legislation 1t is recognised
by the present Chief Magistrst, of the Union"
There is not much of popular sovereignty
and "self government" here. This usurpation is
repudiated by the people, but it is Recognised by
the Congress and the President" Its pretended |
enaetments are dead letter. All the official proc
lamations and bulletins of Presidents and terrific
rial Governors cannot make them law for nothing
Is law or have the authority thereof, save the
legitimately expressed will of the people. But if
the federal authorities cannot make these usurp-
ations laws, they seem bent preventing the peo-
pie from having any law unless they will stoop to
accept of this Never let it be said that the peo-
pie of kanzas recreant TO the principles of
self government to accept the laws thrust on
them by body of invaders. Such fatal prec-
edent would SOW the seed that would spring up
to the ultimate ruin of our government An in
significant minority in kanzas may cooperate
with the invaders outside to peEpetuae this usurp
alton, tut as Gov. Walker SAYS: 1.-The minority
in resisting the will Of the maj jority may involve
kanzas again in civil wur; they may bring upon
her reproach and obloquy, and destroy her prog
ress and prosperity; they may keep her for years
out of the Union, and in the whirlwlnd of agita-
ton sweep away the government itself. But Kan
never can be brought into the Union, with or
fully, freely and fairly made by a majority of her
people in voting for against the adoption of her
State Constitution -
This has already been done in the adoption of
anee with the very principles and requirements
of this inaugural itself, and we may well ask in
the language OF Gov. Walker:
"Why then should this just, peaceful and con-
stitutiona mode of settlement meet with opposition
from any quarter?''
cannot dismiss this inaugural of the person
sent amongst US by the federal authorities as Ter
riterial Governor, without noticing or two 9TH
eF points. He says that there is clause in our
Constitution forever excluding the African race,
bond, or free, from Kanzas. There is no such |
cIause In Constitution, and it is TO be regret
ted that Gov. Walker, who talks so much about /
Constitution emanating from them investiga-
ton. At the time the Constitution submit /
ted to the people, resolution of instruction from
the people to the first Legislature was also submit
ted. This was neither Gin" nor connected with |
the Constitution, and has just much force as
the first Legislature may choose to attach to it
It originated in anxions desire to show favor to
the peculiar institutions of cher sister Ststes-es
pecially her immediate neighbor the State of Mis-
souri," And how has this compromise spirit been
met? By invasion, usuTpation, rapine, fire and
sword Such clauses as that which he has sarcas- |
ticaIly said were in Constitution, he explicitly
desires, in another paragraph, to be in IT. How
much more deeply he must feel the interests of
Missouri than KanZas, is apparent when he re- |
calls the debt of gratitude that the people of Kan
zas owe that State which has stripped our people
Of every Constitutional right, has involved us in
the confusion of civil discord, and which is try
ing, by the aid of the General Government, to
place its feet upon our neeks to-day.
The first cause of political struggle In kanzas
was whether Kanzas should be free or slave
State. After the invasion of 1855, still more
fearful issue arose whether the people of KanZas
should have right to govern themselves. 1t Is
for this struggle to-day The rights of the
people, the glory of Republicanism on earth, the
integrity of government, are all wrapped up
Ia the issue Truly we can say, "Never was so
saomentous question submitted to the decision of
aRy people; and we cannot avoid the alternatives
now placed before us of glory or Of shame. The
rights of free people We love- the Union we regard,
The integrity of government we viii maintain. The
devotion OF the people OF hanzas TO the Union IS ey
s5eHeaa by the stern reality of their sufferings
sad their endurance.
While the great principle for which have TO
contend. is TO maintain right TO self govern
nent the secondary consideration of preserving |
Kauzas free State Is not 10 be lost sight Of It IS
of importance that the principles offreedom should
prevail Not only because the people have wilied
t. but because it is good policy, and, above all, be-
cause it is right Where would be our prosperity
# slavery was ensailed upon us. Where wouid |
The towns, and the cities, the rrilFoads and the /
commerce be with such plague-snot our ener-
cies The owls would hoot through the cities |
now laid out in KaTzas The railroads would be |
confined to the charters of Tlsmped Legislation
The industrious settler would shrink from the con-