Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1857-06-27

N~oAA0oo
[Cries of "Never never A voice q Do not the
people of the United States say that those laws are
right ?'] - Sd s
The people of the United States have lust elected
President who declares that such laws would be uncon
stitutiona. null and void. "A voices who cares ?''
Nay, more; the people of the United States have just
elected majority to Congress who entertain the same
opinion with him. This is matter involving the peace
happiness, and prosperity of the whole people Your
towns will advance in Importance and wealth. your
claims Will increase in value harmony and good will
reign throughout the Territory if the people who are
here and who will be here in November or Decep-
Der next will only decide for themselves what shall be
their own form OF government and their ewn social in
stitutions
But what is it this Legislature proposes 10 doe With
out the slightest necessity without the slightest pretext
apology under the mode of adjustment low proposed
speak not now as regards the past wish to God that
you, and l. and all of could rub out the past IA
voice. : ~ oannet be done" Another voice, " Rub
the bogus laws"] Rub them out gentlemen if YOU
please by vote of the people. voice, eve
get that You can get that A voice. ssGiye us
fair vote at the next election" Yon will get that At
the next election in October when you elect the Terri
toria Legislature you can repeal those laws and YOU
can then aiso by majority of your votes adopt or
next fall.
Now, what, ask again. is proposed to be done by this
Legislature! It Is proposed to put in operation
body OF laws But you must remember the passage of
laws - no farce; it is not humbug Ia voice. !" 1t
has been here A law is command; it exacts obedi-
ence from the whole people, and be actually put in
force in the Territory What is the consequence? Why
you thus produce an absolute clear direct and positive
collision between that Legislature and the Government
of the United States There sets of laws then
to govern you Every mans contract every mans title
possession viii then be involved in difficulty
and, of three four months you will have
large Importation oflawyers voice. 1--WE have plenty
Of them now Laughter 1t will involve you in endless
litigation from which there will be possible extri
cation.
Now, gentlemen, is there any necessity for this A
voice, None not bit; there never was"1 Can you
not peacefully decide this question in the mode pointed
out by the act of Cungress it, as you can and will have
full opportunity of recording your vote? "a voice,
sWhy have not had it ~" Gentlemen was not Gov
of Kansas and Mr. Buchanan was not President of
the United States. "A voice, " How get it ?n1
You will get by the convention submitting the censti
tuition to the vote of the whole people voice. Who
is to elect the convention That is the grand question
Gentlemen it is comparatively small point by whom
the constitution is to be submitted Don't let us run
away after shadows Do refuse register and then
say you can't vote. The great substantial point is this:
Will the whole people of Kansas, fall by fair
election, mparally and fairly conducted by impartial
judges have an opportunity to decide for themselves
what shall be their form of government and what shall
be their social institutions? say they will; but 90
step further. A voice, J" Have you the power?"l fl
have the brngt about if the convention will
not do it. will join you in lawful opposition to their pro
ceedngs. Cries of ssGooa, good " voice. We will
hold you to your promise" Another voice, How are
we to vote for this here convention p? Another voice.
Nothing can be asked fairer than what he says'1 81
Well gentlemen, have power to repeal the laws
that have been passed in reference to the convention and
If those laws have not been fairly executed it is simply
no fault of mine. voice, +" Has not James Buchanan
power to repeal those laws?" Another voice. 9 Hasn't
he sanctioned them?" He has had nothing to do with
them but the Congress of the United States has autho
rzed the Territorial Legislature pass laws The Pre-
sden of the United States has taken an oath to carry
the laws into effect and it is for you if you opposed
to those laws through the peoples vote to repeal them
La voice. We cannot get at them' There is not the
least difficulty about your getting at them. A voice,
Keep out Missouri and we will do well enough"
Well, gentlemen, pledge myself to you that so far
my power is concerned, and do not doubt that you
not in any event to have reenacted here the of
the past but, far my power is concerned pledge
myself that the people of Kansas and of Kansas alone
and not the people of Missouri or of Massachusetts,
OF any other State shall interfere by one single
vote to decide for the people of Kansas what shall be
their institutions. A voice, " That is ny doctrine
Cries OF Good, goed.'] But gentlemen, they shall
deAade It ofthemseVes When these views Of mime
not carried into effect when hatyou viii have
full and fair opportunity to decide for yourselves what
shall be your form of government and your social nsti
tutions, viii then be time enough to complain of me-
put not till then [several voices, That is right"
Another voice, /" What about the bogus laws p
And now | am asked about the bogus laws. Why,
your very Governor Mr.. Robinson, has acknowledged
those bogus laws by putting into effect charter passed
by that bogus Legislature and so have many of you and
nearly all the people of Kansas And if the bogus Legis
laure has power to pass charters it has power pass
any other law not in conflict with the Constitution of
the United States A voice. !" How these inspec-
tors to be appointed? They be appointed fairly
ana lmpartially of course voice, Who is to ap-
point them?'l doubt not that the Convention will
prescribe fair, just, and impartial method they do
In other States. voice, They did in giving two
hundred and eighty voters in this county, Laughter.
Well, gentlemen, let us look at that question. What
nave these two hundred and eighty voters to do if you
all have fair vote next fall on the constitution? [A
voice, There has been census taken."] That has
nothing on earth to do with the question. But whilst
must deeply regret and depore the circumstance that
tnere has been insufficient census what am to think
told by those who profess to represent the Repub
mean party OF this Territory that tell you should
neither register vote? You kept from register
lng as you all know, by following the advice of these
parry leaders OF yours, and then complain they cannot
vote lou could have registered here if you pleased
and hundreds in this Territory since hearing my plan
nave expressed to their deep regret that they had
not registered and many of yeur county since arrival
have changed their position aud resolved to vote Every
man Who responds that he will not acknowledge those
laws mas been deprived of privilege in being
gstertd because he declares that whether registered
not he will not vote If you dislike the Convention, do
you pest oppose it by standing aloef and allowing ma
Jory other persons to adopt their constitution by
voting down that instrument! If you do not vote
Ia for or against that instrument, when you have
Iar ance, Congress win act MS though you had No;
you mot defeat the constitution by refusing to vote
"A voice, The Governor is right and we will vote
them
Nov, gentlemen really believe have detained you
too long There is nothing on earth that love more
Tree opinion free press and popular discussion
Cries Of right Instead Of directing it, love to
near scmefeS Of you differ from me ask questions.
csmes let US reason together Describing passion and
nave occurred in the past let ask ourselves this
great practical question: What Ia hest for the great