The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1857-12-22
IMPORTANT FROM KANSAS.
Free State Delegate Convention at Law.
renee

l
LAwREScE, X. T., Dec. 2, 1857.
To the Editor of the Missouri Demo
crat:--The largest and most important
delegate convention ever held in Kansas,
was organized in this place to-day. The
entire territory was represented by q full
delegation, and matters Of momentous i'm
portanco were discussed by cool, deliberate
and determined freemcn Of Kansas. A
more intelligent and loyal asscmblage has
never convened, at any time in Kansas,
since the organization Of the territory, and
resolutions Of n moro rcbellious character,
were never adopted by an oppressed and
outraged people. The convention was call
ed to order at IL o'clock, A. M, by G..
w. Smith, Of Lawrence. w. Y. Roberts,
of Wyandott, was appointed chairman, and
S. f. Tappan, Of Lawrence, Secretary, on
temporary organization. "a committee of
one from each senatoria'' di1frict, under the
Topeka organization, was appointed on
credentials, and also committee on per-
manent organization, appointed in the
same manner, and consisting Of the same
members, after which the convention ad-
journed to o'clock, p. NJ.
Pursuant to adjournment, tho conyen-
ton assembled at the designated time, and
the committee on permanent organization
reported Gov. G.. Robinson, President of
the convention, and w. A. Phillips, A.
Wattles, and DR.. Marcy, Secretaries. Gov.
Robinson took the stand amid shouts of
applause, and made an eloquent and ap
propriate opening address. At the con-
clusion of his speech, Gen. Lane proposed
three cheers for the Governor of Kansas,
which rang forth in unmistakable tones
that Kansas must have governor who re-
presents the sentiments Of the people. A
committee of one from each senatorial dis
trict was appointed on resolutions for the
action Of the convention. will state,
however, that Gen. Lane, who is mem
Der of tie church, moved that the conven-
ton be opened by prayer, and the Rev. S.
Lum was called upon TO perform the SER
vices. The meeting was addressed by
Judge johnson, of Leavenwortb, and 9th
crs, during the absence of the committee,
after which it adjourned until evening"
At the specified time the convention as
sembled, and the committee on resolutions
were called for. The committee present
ed, through Gen. Lane, their chairman,
the following resolutions which were adopt
ed without a word from any member, eth
er pro or con, by nine unanimous cheers
from the entire assemblage. A more de-
termned expression of sentiment never
witnessed than swelled up from the souls
Of that outraged assemblage:
EVENING SESSION.
The report of the committee on resolu-
tions was made, and accepted on motion
of Mr.. Foster, of Osawatomie:
PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS.
We the people of Kansas, in delegate
convention assembled, at Lawrence, this
I'd day of December, 1857, do set forth
the following to our fellow. citizens and the
people of these United States:
circumstances of an extraordinary char
acter threaten to imperi the peace of this
territory, and to deprive a majority Of our
people of their rights, as citizens Of this
republic, to govern the same.
On the 3Oth of March, 1855, an armed
force from Missouri violently took possession
of the polls in Kansas, and fraudulently
elected territorial Legislature, with sen,
timcnts adverse to the opinions of major.
ity of the people, and enacted laws cruel
and oppressive. A Legislature, composed
in part Of persons elected rs above, and of
other persons elected in October 1855, in
like violent and fraudulent manner, and
under degrading test oaths enacted by the
previous body, passed an act for the Great
ing of a constitutional convention under a
partial partisan registration and apportion-
ment, and in tire election of members to |
the samc was never complied with in many |
important and essential Tarliculars, especial
ly in making complete census Of the peo-
pie and registry of the voters of the territory
fifteen entire counties being totally disfran-
chised, and many voters in tic other coun-
ties left off. Tho convention had assem-
bled in Lecompton in September last, thus
elected, have proceeded to frame consti-
tuition for the State Of Kansas, in defiance
of the fact that they, by their own record,
small minority Of the people
of this territory, that their proceedings
were protested against by the people on
the ground Of illcgality and unfairncss,
and that the presence of portion Of the
United States army was necessary TO pro-
tect them during their sittings against tho
of an outraged people. In
the face of these facts they refuse to sub
NIT the instrument they have thus framed
to vote of the people for ratification or
rejection. They provide for swindle,
styled by them an election, in which neith
or the constitution, nor any material part
thereof, can Le elected or rejected. They
have, pending this action, provided for a
State election on the first Monday Of JAN
nary next, under said instrument, and un- .
Ter the authority Of usurping regency,
unknown to constitutional authority, and
dangerous to tho liberties Of the people,
he design of the samc being to rob from
he peol le of Kansas their rights, as res
,ued through the ballot-box in October {
asst, and destroy the only legitimate terri
orial Legislative body ever in Kansas
This dangerous assumption Of power calls
or a prompt and efficient remedy from the
,eople, the only legitimate source of pow
n; therefore,
R,solved, That we utterly rcpudiate {
aid constitution, framed at Lecompton, !
hat il is an instrument hostile TO the pop ,
,lor mill and annoalino IN tho Col of ius-