The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-12-17
PUBLIC MEETING IN KANSAS.

From the Lawrence Republican Extra, Nov 20.
At large and enthusiastic meeting, held at
the Unitarian Church, in Lawrence, in accord.
ance with previous notice, on the evening of
the 18th instant, for the purpose of consulting
as TO the action of the people of Kansas in the
present exigency, Mr.. E. B. Whitman was
chosen chairman, and Norman Allen, secretary.
After few Introductory remarks by the chair.
man, explanatory of the object of the meeting,
he introduced General j. Il. Lane, who was
most enthusiastically received. General Lane
spoke nearly an hour, setting forth the present
position of affairs in Kansas in that very forci.
bic manner peculiar to this gentleman, and
closed by urging the necessity of presenting a
firm and unbroken front, and Of determined
and efficient action, by the Free State party. in
opposition to the admission Of Kansas under
| the so called Lecompton Constitution.
Gov. Robinson next responded to the call of
the meeting, in clear, able, and matter.of.fact
speech. He presented the condition Of affairs
as they exist, and marked cut clearly the course
he would be in favor of pursuing, and the &C.
ton he would like to see taken by the Free
State Delegate Convention which is to assemble
at Lawrence on the I'd of December. B .fore
he completed his remarks, a resolution was Of
fered for the appointment of committee of
FIVE, to report resolutions expressive of the
sense of the meeting.
Col. W. A. Phillips DR.. S. B. Prentiss, w.
Hutchinson, Gen. j. 81. Lane, and Dr. Newman,
were appointed as such committee, which, after
consultation, presented the following report,
which was received, and after being discussed
ny Messrs. Robinson, Lane, Taylor, l.. Allen,
Parsons, Elliott, j. Speer, Mallory, and others,
and adopted Seriatim, were adopted as whole.
without dissenting voice:
Whereas body of men, claiming to act as a
Constitutional Convention, have presumed to
frame State Constitution for Kaneas, without
submitting the came to vote of the people;
And whereas they were elected by a small
minority of the people of this Territory, and
represent interests that were signally defeated
by an overwhelming vote in the recent October
election
And whereas they have framed partisan
Constitution, obnoxious to the people, and have
originated a vile swindle, of pretended submis.
sion, to deceive Congress and accomplish their
wicked purposes: Therefore,
Resotced, That, holding it not too late. we
once more tender fraternal relations to these
misguided men, and to secure such, urge them.
by every sentiment of honor and Justice, to de-
sist from such dangerous and reasonable prac.
ices.
Resotred, That, should they persist in their
course, we hereby declare them traitors to the
legitimate Government of the people, enemies
to the public peace, and outlaws to the general
security they have violated
RESOLVED, That the Lecompton Constitution
is gross violation of the expressed wishes of
the people of Kansas that it is fraud. and
begotten of fraud, and we solemnly pledge our
selves to resist to the last all atemp to thrust
it upon us.
ReSOtUed, That while we recognise the right
of any respectable body of men to originate
steps to secure an organic law for the future
State, we repudiate the so.called election pro-
posed to be held on the 2lst of December next.
as a farce and swindle.
ResOtcsd, That the proposed assumption of
executive power by the creatures of the Le-
compton Convention, without the sanction of
the people, and in violation of Federal author
ity, is dangerous to tbs interests and peace of
Kansas, and the most extraordinary occasion
thai could demand the prompt action of the
Legislative and executive departments of the
Government.
ReSolrsd, That we have reason to expect
from the Territorial Executive an immediate
call for special session of the Territorial Leg.
islature but should the promises given to US
from that quarter fail, we hereby respectfully
suggest to Governor Charles Robinson the pro-
priety of calling special session of the State
Legislature at the earliest moment.
The following resolution was also offered,
and passed unanimously:
ResoIred, That we recommend the appoint
ment of Local Vigilance Com mittee and that
we pledge ourselves to respond to the calls and
sustain the action of that committee, whatever
that action may be.
General Lane offered the following:
ReSolced, That we will meet with the people
of Leavenworth in their Mass Convention on
the 9th instant.
After which, the meeting adjourned, the
most entire earnestness and unanimity of feel
ing having prevailed throughout.
NORMAN ALLEN, Secretdry