The American. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1857, 1857-11-25
KANSAS.

a constitution in Kansas have already created
a schism in the dominant party Of the country,
we deem it proper to lay before our readers
the views and language Of some OF the most
prominent papers of that party on each side.
Below is an article from the Philadelphia
Press, (Mr. Forney's paper) which is a lead
ing one at the North, and which speaks out
in plain and somewhat indignant terms of the
doings of the convention, which it designates
as "a mere trick" ~ rs
eve publish this morning the schedule adopted
by the Kansas Constitutional Convention. Con-
trary to what we conceive to be the true intent
and meaning of the Kansas Nebraska act, the
resolutions Of the Cincinnati Platform, the Inau-
gural Address of Mr.. Buchanan, the recommends
lions of Governor Walker, the pledges of many
of the members of that Convention, the general
expectations of the country, and in defiance of
the true principles of liberal democratic govern
ment, that body has refused to submit its work
fairly to the citizens of Kansas. There is no hon.
est submission OF the new constitution to the
action Of the people. 1t is provided that they
may vote for "the constitution with slavery" or
for "the constitution without slavery" bat they
cannot vote against the constitution, no matter
how much they may be opposed to its provisions.
They are not allowed an opportunity of saying
whether they do or do not desire the document
framed by this Convention to be their funda-
mental law, and by the abnegation of this priv
lege they are deprived Of the full exercise Of that
right Of forming their own institutions to which
they are entitled by every consideration ofjustice
and right. The proposed election is in less
complete and more offensive form than that by
which Louis Napoleon obtained the confirmation
OF his assumption of the position of Emperor from
the French people, While h, refused to give
them an opportunity to vote for such candidates
as they preferred, he still submitted the PROPOSE.
ton whether he should or should not be placed
upon the throne He at least gave them chance
to uote him doDn Il they desired to do so. This
right the Kansas Constitutional Convention has
refused to the people of that Territory. The
.pervading idea Of democratic government is, that
all public representatives and officials are mere
servants, whose highest duty is. to guard the
interests and carry out the viii Of higher power
that Of the people, the only true soyereigns.
The Convention has acted as though IL was the
| master instead of the servant--as though Il was
determined to fasten and make binding its action
upon It's constituency This strange and unjust
proceeding necessitates the conviction that il was
afraid OF popular condemnation, afraid 10 trust its
work to the free action Of the people--afraid to
do its duty, and TO place the power OF final jridg-
ment upon its proceedings where il belonged, In
the hands Of those most deeply interested in
them. IL the constitution suits a majority Of the
people of Kansas, they would vote for il in any
| event, and il would become their fundamental
law. If il does not conform to the views and
| requirements of a majority Of the citizens Of
Kansas, they should have an opportunity Of voting
against it, This proposition seems so clear that
we are surprised that il should be questioned in
any quarter. Even the Convention was not alto
getber destitute Of some idea OF the justice Of this
principle, for it proposes TO leave the people TO
say whether they are TO have the constitution
NTH or without slavery. What right had il TO
limit the power Of the people 10 action upon
merely one question, and to confne their judg.
ment even upon that by narrow boundaries9 The
whole power belonged to the citizens Of that
Territory. There was no warrant for dividing IL,
and we can conceive no just and proper reason
for thus dwar6Dg their sovereignty. The whole
affair wears the aspect Of mere trick, an uDwor-
thy expedient, which should meet with no favor.
There are other features of this schedule of an
extraordinary character, but we shall not comment
upon them now. We regret and deplore the
action Of the Convention, and, considering In how
slight degree 1t represented the whole body OF
the people Of the Territory, are greatly disap.
pointed that it did not magnanimousy crown its
abors by submitting them fully and fairly to all
its citizcns, and thus have closed forever the
mouths of those who have clamored 80 loudly
against the Democratic party on the score of
alleged frauds in Kansas and brought the exciting
drama of it's Territorial difficulties TO final close.