Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1857-12-18


way.o According to the plain construction Of
the sentence, the words ''domes:ic institutions
have direct as they have an appropriate refer
enee TO slavery. "Domestic institutions are
limited to the family. The relation between
master and slave and few others are ssdomes-
TIC Institutions" and are entirely distiDct from
institutions Of political character. Besides,
there was no question then before CuHgress,nor
indeed has there since been any serious question
before tie people Of Kansas OF the country, cx-
cept that which relates to tie domestic insti :
tuition" of slavery.
The convention, after an angry and excited
debate finally determined, by majority Of only
two, to submit the question os slavery to the
people, though at the last fOr,y-three Of tie
City delegates present afGxed their signatures
to the constitution.
A large majority Of the convention were in
favor of establishing slavery in Kansas. They
accordingly inserted an article IN the consttu-
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 a territorial TO u
State government, the question has been fairly
and explicitly referred to the people, whether
they will have constitution s'with or without
slavery" 1t declares, that before the constitu
ton adopted by the convention ''shall be sent
10 Congress for admission into the Union as
State,' an election shall he held to decide this
question, at which all the white male inhabitants
OF the Territory above the age of 2l are enti-
tied 70 vote. They are to vote by ballot; aud
Sthe ballots cast at said election shall be en-
dorsed constitution with slavery and sconsti-
tuition with slavery" If there be a majority
in favor of the E'constitutien with slavery" then
it is to be transmitted to Congress by the Pres
ldent of the Convention in its original FORM
If, on the contrary, there shall be majority
IN favor of the ''constitation with no slavery"
"then the article providing for slavery shall be
stricken from the constitution by the president
of this conyention;" and it is expressly declar-
ed that "no slavery shall exist iu the Stare Of
Kansas, except that the right Of property in
slaves now in the Territory shall in no manner
be interfered WITH" and in that event it is made
his duty to have the constitution thus ratified
transmitted to the Congress of the United States
for the admission Of the State into the Union
At this election every citizen will have an
opportunity of expressing his opinion BY his
vote ''whetber Kansas shall be received into
the Union with or without slavery," and thus
this exciting question may be peacefully settled
in the very mode required BY the organic law.
The election will be held under legitimate au-
thorlty, and it any portion of the inhabitants
shall refuse to vote, fair opportunity to do so
having been presented, this will be their own
voluntary act, and they alone will be response
bic for the consequences.
Whether Kansas shall be free or slave
State must eventually, under some authority,be
decided by au election: and tie question can
uvFei Ue more cIearly or distinctly presented to
the people than 1t Is at the present moment
Should this opportunity be rejected she may
be involved tor years in domestic discord, and
possibly 10 civil war, before she can again make
up the Issue now so fortunately rendered, and
again reach the point she has already attained.
hauSas has for SOME years occupied too much
OF tho public attention. 1t Is high time this
should be directed to far more important OBJ
Jects. When ence admitted into the Union,
whether with or without slavery, the excitement
beyond her own limits will speedily pass away
and she will then for the FIRST time be loft, as
she ought to have been long since, to manage
her own affairs in her own way. If her eonsti-
tuition on the subject of slavery, or on any 9TH
er subject, be dIspleasng to majority Of the
people, no human power can prevent them slom
changing it within brief period. Under these
circumstances, it may well be questioned pheth-
er the peace aud quiet of the whole country are
not OF greater Importance than the mere tem-
porary triumph OF either Of the political parties
ID Kansas.
Should the constitution without slavery be
adopted BY the votes of the majority, tberights
of property in slaves now in the Territory are
reserved. The number Of these is very small;
but if 1t were greater the provision would be
equally just and reasonable. These slaves we're
brought into the Territory under the coustitu-
tion of the United States, and are now the pro-
perty of :heir masters. This point has at length
been finally decided By the highest judicial tri-
bunal of the country--and this upon the plain
principle that when a cGnfederacy of sovereign
States acquire new territory at their joint ex-
pense, both equality aud justice dep,and that
the citizens of one and all Of them shall have
the right to take into it whatsoever is reeog-
nised as property by the common constitution.
10 nave summarly contiscated the property IN
slaves already in the Territory, would have
been an act of gross injustice, and CONTRARY to
the practice of the older States of the Union
which have abolished slavery.
A territorial government was established for
Utah BY act of Congress approved the 9th Sep
tember, 1850, and the constitution and laws
of the United States were thereby extended
over 1t $50 far as the same, or any provisions
thereof, may be applicable" This act provi.
dcd for the appointment by the the President,
by aud with the advice and consent of the SEN
ate, of a governor, who was to be ex-officio
superintendent of Indian affairs, secretay,
three judges of the supreme court, marshal,
and district attorney Subsequent acts plo-
vided for the appointment; OF the officers neees-
sary to extend our land and our Indian system
over the Territory. Brigham Young was ap-
pointed the frs! governor on the 20th soptenl-
Der, 1850, and has held tho Office ever siuce.-
Whilst Governor Young has been both govern
or and superintendent of Indian affairs through
out this period, he has been at the Same time
Al. L