M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1857-10-01

l ought 10 specify more particular
ly a condition of affairs, which | have
embraced only in general terms, re.
quiring the presence Of u military
force in Kansas. The Congress of the
United States had most wisely de-
clared it to be "the true intent and
meaning of this act (the act organi-
zing the Territory not to legislate
slavery into any Territory or State,
nor to exclude it theretrom, but to
leave the people thTeof perfectly free
to form and regulate their domestic
institutions in their own way, subject
only TO the Constitution Of the United
States" AS natural consequence,
Congress has also prescribed by the
same act, that when the Territory of
Kansas shall be admitted as a State,
it "shall be received into the Union,
with or without slavery, as their con-
Stitution may prescribe at the time Of
their admission"
Slavery existed at that period, and
still exists in Kansas, under the Con-
stitution OF the United States. This
point has at last been finally decided
by the highest tribunal known to our
laws. How it could ever have been
seriously doubted is a mystery. Ifa
confederation of sovereign States ac-
qure a new territory at the expense
Of their common blood and treasure
surely one set ofthe partners can have
no right to exclude the other from its
enjoyment, by prohibiting them from
taking into it whatsoever is recog-
nlzed to be property by the common
Constitution. But when the people
the bona fde residents Of such ter
ritory-proceed to frame a State Con.
stitution, then it is their right to de.
eide the important question for them
selves whether they will continue, mod
ity, or abolish slavery. To them, and
them alone, does this question belong,
free from all foreign interference.
In the opinion Of the Territorial
Legislature of Kansas, the time had
arrived Tor entering the Union, and
they accordingly passed alaw to elect
delegates for the purpose OF framing a
State Constitution. This law was
fair and just in its provisions. ltcon.
ferred the right Of suffrage on "every
bona fde inhabitant Of the territory : ,
and, tor the purpose of preventing
fraud, and the intrusion Of citizens Of
near or distant States, most properly
confined this right to those who had
resided therein three months previous
to the election. Here a fair oppor
tunity was presented for all the quail
| fed resident citizens Of the Territory,
to whatever organization they might
have previously belonged, to partici
pate in the election, and to express
their opinions at the ballot box on the
question of slavery. But numbers o
Iawless men still continued to resis
the regular Territorial Government
They refused either to be registered o.
to vote and the members Of the con
vcntion were elected legally and prop
erly, without their intervention. ThC
convention will soon assemble to per
form the solemn duty OF framing
constitution for themselves and thcil
posterity ; and in the state Of ircipien
l rebellion which still exists in Kansas
it is my imperative duty to emplo,
the troops of the United States, shoul
this become necessary, in defending
the convention against violence willis
framing the constitution, and in pro
tecting the Z" bona fde inhabitants
qualified to vote under the provision
Of this instrument in the free exercis
of the right OF suffrage when it shaI
be submitted to them for their apprc
baton or rejection.
| have entire confidence in Govern
or Walker that the troops will not b
employed except to resist actual as
gression or in the execution of til
laws and this not until the power (
the civil magistrate shall prove uns
vailing. Following the wise examp'
of Mr.. Madison towards the Harttor
, Convention, illegal and dangerou
, combinations, such as that Of the I,
+ peka Convention, will not be disturb
, ed unless they shall attempt to ne
, form some act which shall brine ma
+ into actual colIisiOn.cn circum- tire
=, tuition and the prejudiees and the
+ they shall .beriorto his devotion mo
by the But he who 5forgets his the
me, griefs, and sustains the ocrI
lated ticket, mot ;becausel they Fwhi
lis taVorites,abut because they are Ind
egularly y Observation-Disclosures ofthe lish
= to whose principles be profes- be {
ttachment,- man proves that fron
Democracy rises higher and goes off
'eyond all mere selfish consider ing
s.--F Newark Advocate .wFT