Freeman's champion., 1857-07-16
LnAyeNwoRTH, July Is, 1857.


+ have learned that considerable
number OF the citizens OF Lawrence,
in this Territory, have adopted, as
they claim, by popular vote, char
ter for their local Government. A
Ncopy Of that charter has been placed
iu my hands; upon comparing which
with that granted by the Territorial
Legislature, last winter, l find that
they differ intentionally in many es-
sential particulars. The new charter,
thon, is set up, not only without any
authority of law, but in direct and
open defiance of an act Of the Terri
torial Legislature on the same subject.
On this point your Committee,
whose views have been adopted by
,you, make the following statement ::
"Under ordinary circumstances
the more regular method of proceed
ing would be to obtain charter from
the Territorial authorities. AS the
Territorial Government, however,
in no sense represents the people of
,Kanzas, was not elected by them,
and can have no right to legislate for
them, we cannot accept Of charter
at its hands. And, as the State Gov
,ernment has not, as yet, deemed it
advisable to proceed to the organiza-
ton of local and municipal govern
ments, we cannot obtain charter
from it. There is, therefore, left us
only the alternative of charter
,springing directly from the people,
"or continuance in our present dis
oorganized condition.
'"Under these circumstances, you
',have seen fit to instruct us to present
"a charter, having discussed its provis-
ions in q preliminary assemblage,
and now propose to submit it to full
vote Of the people for approval or
rejection"
It will be perceived that the author
,ity of the Territorial Government is
here distinctly denied, and whilst
that of the so-called State Govern
vmenti is acknowledged, it is conceded
that no charter has been granted by
them. Indeed, it is a fact that, al
though this so-called State Govern.
ment has, in itself, no legal existence
uor authority, yet you asked and failed
to receive a charter from them.
Under these circumstances you
have proceeded to establish agoyem
,ment for. the city of Lawrence, in
direct defiance of the Territorial Gov
ernment, and denying its existence OF
authority. You have granted to this
city government the authority to elect
a Mayor and Board of Aldermen
City Assessors, Treasurer, Justices
of the Peace, City Marshal, &c, Yor
have granted to the Mayor and Boarc
of Aldermen most extensive powers
including the right to levy and col
lect taxes upon real and persona
property within the limits of the city
whether belonging to residents o
non-rosidents, and all the other pow
ers usually incident to city govern
ment. You have imposed upon al
these officers the duty of taking al
oath to support this so-called Stat
Constitution, thus distinctly super
seding, so far as in your power, tn
Territorial Government created b,
the Congress of the United States
You have caused these proceeding
ito be printed in hand-bill form, anc
have distributed them, as | am in
formed, throughout the Territory
with the view to incite the other cities
towns and counties of Kanzas to es
tablish inSurrectionary governments
thereby placing the people of thi
Territory, 80 far as in your power
in open collision with the Govern
ment Of the United States.
The more conservative portion o
your own party having induced you
Topeka Legislature to reject the law
urged by you, creating municipa
governments, you have even in def
ance of their authority, which yo,
profess to acknowledge, proceeded t
create such government for Law
renee, and are now urging other 10
,calities to pursue q similar course
Your evident purpose is thus TO in
volvc the whole Territory in insur
rection, and to renew the scenes Q
bloodshed and civil war. Upon you
then, must all tho guilt and RESPONSE
,bility Of this contemplated revolu
tionreSt. You will be justly chargabl
in law and in conscience, with al
the bloc that may be shed in thi
contest, and upon you must fall tn
,punishment Yon have elected you
officers under this charter, and in
structod them to enter upon the i'm
mediate discharge Of their duties