Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1857-12-24

ton Those who voted for delegates did 81
with the understanding that that they had n,
power to make a government, but only II
frame one for submission and those who stale
away did SO with the same understanding
Now for the evidence The President o
the United States tells US, that he had une
quivocaly expressed his opinions. in the form
of Instructions to Governor Walker, ASSUMING
that the constitution was to be submitted t
the people for ratification. When we look in
to Governor Walkers letter Of acceptance K
the Office of Governor, we find that he stated
expressly that he accepted it with the under
Standing that the President and his whole Cab
met concurred with him that the constitution
when formed, was to be submitted to the peo
pie for ratification Then look into the in
structions given by the President of the Uni
ted States, through Gen. Cass, the Secretary
of State, TO Governor Walker, and you there
find that the Governor is instructed to use the
military power to protect the polls when the
constitution shall be submitted TO the people
of Kansas for their free acceptance or rejec.
ton. Trace the history little further, and
YOU will fiud that Governor Walker went to
Kansas and proclaimed, in his inaugural and
in his speeches at Topeka, and elsewhere, that
it was the distinct understanding, not only of
himself, but Of those in higher power than him.
Self-meauing the President and his Cabinet
that the constitution was TO be submitted to
the people for their free acceptance or reec-
ton, and that he would use all the power at
his command to defeat its acceptance by Con
greSs, if ii were not thus submitted to the vote
OF the people
Mr. President, | am not going to stop and
inquire how far the Nebraska-bill, which said
the people shond be left perfectly free to form
their constitution for themselves, authorize the
President, OF the Cabinet, or Governor Wal
ker, or any other territorial officer, to inter
fere and tell the convention of Kansas whether
they should or should not submit the question
to the people. | am not going to stop TO III
quire how far they were authorized to do that,
it being INV opinion that the spirit of the Ne
braska bill required it to Ire done. 1t is sutfi-
cient for ny purpose that the Administration
Of the Federal Government unanimously, that
the administration of the territorial govern
ment, in all its parts, unanimously understood
the territorial law under which the convention
was assembled to mean that the constitution
to be formed by that convention should be sub
m:tted 70 the people for ratification or rejec-
tion and, if not confirmed by majority of
the people should be null and void, without
coming 10 Congress for approx i.
Not Gully did the National Government and
the territorial government SO understand the
law at the time, but, as have already stated
the people OF the Territory 50 understood it
As a further evid nee OIL that point. large
number, if not majority, Of the delegates were
instructed in the nominating conventions to
submit tie constitution TO the people torratif-
cation. know that tile del,gate, from Doug,
las COUNTY eight in number Mr. Calhoun, pres
idynt Of The contention. being among them,
were not only instructed thus to susmt the
question, but they signed and published, while
candidates, written pledge that they would
submit L t. the people for ratification. |
know that men. high in authority ana in the
confidence OF the territorial and National Gov
ernment, canvas>ed every part OF Kansas dur
in- :he election Of delegates, and each of them
pledged themselves TO the people that no snap
Judgment was TO be taken that the consti-
tuition Was 10 be submitted TO the people for
acceptance or rejection that it would be void
unless that it WAS done that the AIminiStTa-
ton would SpCyn and scoru il as 4 violation OF
tae principles on which il came into power
aud that Il Democratic Congress would hurl il
from their presence as an Insult 10 Democrats
who stood pledged TO see the people left free 10
form their domestic institutions for themselves
Not only that, sir, but up 70 the time when
the convention assembled, on the Is Of Sep
tember. SO far as | can learn. it was nndersto ID
everyw here that the constitution was 10 he suD-
mtted for ratification or rejection. They met,
however. on the Isl of September and adjourn
ed until after the October election ! think il
was wise and n utlent that they should have
a,li1arnesI. They no, did wish to bring aIyqGeS
ton into that election Waica sold DIVIDE the
Democratic party, and weaken oar chances o.
success in the election. | was rtjo.ced when
saw that they did adjourn 80 rs lot to show
their hand on anv question that would divide
and diStrac. the pIrty until after the election.
Daring that recess, while The convention was
adjourned. Governor Ransom the Democratic
candidate for Congress, running against tIe
present delegate from that Territory, was can
vassinz every part OF ka,.SaS IN favor OF the
doctrine Of submitting the constitution 10 the
people. declaring that the Democratic party
were in favor OF Slch submission, and that 4
was 4 S.ar,ler OF the Black Republicans 10 iuI;-
tate the charge thar the Democratic party did
not intend 10 carry oat that pledge in good
faith ThuS, MP TO the time OF the meeting OF
the convention, ia October last, the preteHSe
was kept Hp. the profession was openly made
and bel.eyed by me, and, thought believed Nv
them, that the convention intended to submit
constitution 10 the people, and did not attempt
20 put government in operation without snch
submission. Tae election being over, the Dem
ocratie party being defeated by an oyeFThein-
ing vote, the Opposition having .riumphed,
and got possession of both branches of the Le-
giSlature, and having elected their territorial
Delegate the convention assembled, and then
proceeded TO complete their work
Now let rs stop TO inquire how they redeem
ed the pledge TO submit the constitution 70 the