Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1857-12-17
Secretary Stantop,s Message.

or in the absence of Walker, convened the
Legislature Of Kansas on the 7h. Both
Houses having organized, the acting Gov
ernOr sent in a Message, from which we
take the following extracts:--
The true purpose, which, in my judg-
ment, ought to control your legislation on
the present occasion, and that which is;
perhaps, the most pertinent and practicable
within your power, is 10 provide for the
regular exercise OF the sovereignty of the
people, in those points in which the Con-
vention asattempted TO trammel or restrain
it; in other words, TO provide for direct
vote, under your own authority, upon the
adoption Of the Constitution, which is to be
partially submitted, on the 2lst inst, under
the authority of the Constitutional Conyen-
ton.
have already expressed the grave doubts
| entertain as to the power Of the Legisla-
ture in any manner to interfere with the
proceedings Of the Convention. But there
can be no question as to your authority to
provide, by suitable law for fair ex-
preston OF the will Of the people. upon the
vital question Of approving the Constitution.
That highest act OF sovereignty, the act Of
delegating appropriate powers in the best
form Of words, and with the proper limita-
tons, TO State organization, so deeply in
wolves the dearest rights and interests of
the people, that the very safety of our whole
system Of self-governnent demands, in all
cases, but especially where any doubt or
dissatisfaction prevails, an unequivoc rat
/ / IF ha IN ha od cd
Perhap s a majority Of the people may ac-
cept the instrument now before them, in
one or the other of the forms in which it is
presented by the convention. In that case
there could be no ground for complaint; for
doubt not the whole people will cheerful
ly acquiesce in the will Of the majority,
fairly ascertained. On the other hand, il
the people should decide against the consti-
tuition in both forms, it would not be posi-
Bile for Congress, without violation Of all
popular rights, to admit Kansas into the
Union under it. The way would then be
fairly open for the passage Of any other APP
propriate measure, by virtue Of which the
people, relieved from all former embarrass-
ments, could elect their delegates 10 a con-
vention and establish their own institutions,
in their own way, in accordance with the
provisions of the Organic Act, and the fun
damenta principles of self government,
1t is difficult to see what objection could
be raised to such law, passed at the pres
ent time and to be executed cotemporane.
ously with the vote upon the constitution
as provided by the convention. That body
itself had its existence from the authority
OF the Legislative Assembly. This con-
stitutes its whole title to regularity and lie.
gitimacy; for no valid claim can be based
) upon any supposed recognition by the peo-
pie, inasmuch as the great majority of them
refraired from all participation in the cleo.
ton. If that convention, thus deriving it.
authority solely from the legislative enact
ment which called it into existence, car
send up to Congress constitution, for the
State Of Kansas, without actually submit,
, ting il 10 the people, the same Legislature
may, with equal regularity and legality,
provide for an independent vote Of the peo-
pie upon the actual ratification of the in
strumeut which is sought TO be imposed
upon them. 1t is not 10 be supposed that
Congress will disregard the voice of the
people, legally expressed in the manner
) proposed, whether its decision shall be fol
or against the constitution.
, In pursuance Of these views, recommend
the passage of law directing an election t'
be held, either under existing regulations
or in pursuance Of other suitable provision!
TO be expressed in the act, in which the peo
pie shall be authorized 10 vote for the con
stitution in either OF the forms presented b,
the convention, and also against that con
| stitution in both forms. As any law at
e tempting to control the officers OF the con
venion, and those acting under them, woul,
be of more than doubtful validity. and nigh
be wholly disregarded by them, it would b
: prudent to provide for separate proceeding
under different officers, but it might be o
great convenience to the people, and o
: some efficiency for the object in view, +
e hold this election at the same time and tn
same places provided for the proclamation
a of the president of the late convention, II
O order that the result may be communicates
. to Congress, at the earliest practicable mo
I ment, as the sovereign will Of the people @
=. Kansas.
k 1t would seem TO me that this single act
e would be sufficient to meet this whole EN-
a Urgency, and to dispel the excitement whic
g now theatens the peace of the Territory
If it be adopted substantially in the fOrr
d proposed, without any embarrassing ad
Ijuncts, calculated to arouse prejudice and
produce discord, the earnest directness an
e unity of the act, looking alone 10 the on
g great and piehtful end of ascertaining tn
true will of the people, and securing its as
cendancy, cannot fail TO commend it 10 III
n appreciation of all patriotic hearts in III
IS Territory and throughout the Union.
% Forney got his Back Up.