Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1857-09-03

Now, gentlemen, this Is practical
question, and take it you are practical
men; that you do not look to theories, but
to facts and results; and that you desire to
ascertain what is the best mode in which a
peaceful adjustment of these most deplor-
able difficulties can now be made.
/ On that subject, gentlemen, desire to
read you few extracts from my Inaugural
Address, just published in this Territory,
together with my instructions from the
/ President of the United States, pointing
out the mode in which the Chief Magistrate
of the Union, just elected to that high posi-
tion by the whole American people, as
well as his Cabinet and the humble inli-
vidual who now adresses you, believe these
questions can be peacefully settled: and
settled, not by party, whether it be for
or against slavery, but by the whole peo-
pie of the Territory of Kansas, who, as is
their sovereign right, by that great princi-
| pie which lies at the foundation of all our
institutions. shall determine by an actual
majority of voters of all her people, what
shall be their Constitution and their social
institutions. 4~.
speak not now, in regard to the past,
Or any registry of votes. But | speak as
regards the future My doctrine Is this,
that in tn, future, when the Constitution
shall be submitted to the vote of the cit
izens of Kansas, that it shall be submitted
to the rote Of the wtote people. | do not
mean those who are now registered under
the territorial law j do not mean those
who were residing here on the 10Th of March
last, but mean tie ,chole people of Kansas,
not only those who are here now but those
who will be here next taN as actual resi-
,lents-that they-the people over whom
these institutions are to opcrate-that they
by majority of their votes, shall decide
for themselves what shall be their consti-
tuition and what shall be their social insti-
tutions. On this subject, l desire, 1 re-
peat, to read you an extract from my In
augural Address to the people of the Terri
tory of Kansas, together with the views of
the President of the United States.
"Indeed, cannot doubt that the conven-
tom | mean the convention which is
about to meet in September next latter
having framed State Constitution will
submit it for ratification or rejection, by a
majority of then actual bona tide resident
settlers of Kansas"
With these views, we'll known to the
President and Cabinet, and approved by
them. accepted the appointment of Gov
ernor of Kansas. My instructions from
| til, President, through the Secretary of
STATE, under date of the 30th of March last,
sustain 1.-THE regular Legislature of the Ter
ritory" in assembling Convention to
form Constitution" and they express
the opinion of the President, that "when
such Constitution shall be submitted to
the people of the Territory, they must be
protected in the exercise of their right of
! voting for or against that instrument; and
the fair expression of the popular will
must not be interrupted by fraud or vio-
lcnce."
| come now to my own individual views
81 repeat then, as my clear conviction,
that unless the convention submit the Con-
stitution to the vote of all the resident set
tiers of Kansas, and the elelign be fairly
and Justly conducted, the Constitution will
be, and ought to be rejected by Congress. -
[Cries of Good.
Gentlemen, on this subject wish that
there should be no mistake, no misappre-
hension as regards my opinions and the
policy which | shall deem il my duty to
pursue in the administration of the Execu-
tive department of the Territory of Kansas.
1t is involved in few simple words
That the majority of the people of Kansas
must govern-crics of right--that the ma
iority of the people of Kansas at the polls
must decide whether they will be a Slave
State or Free State Applause.
! Indeed under whatever specious disgui-
ses any other doctrine may be presented,
believe that the man who desires that the
minority of the people shall establish insti-
tutions for the majority, is whatever he may
call himself, neither Democrat or Repub-
lican, but monarchist or an aristocrat.-
He desires that few shall govern the ma
ny, whereas the great fundamental doctrine
which lies at the basis of all our American
! Institutions, and upon which they all re-
pose, and which has been carried into sue
cessful operation in every other State but
Kansas, and which, gentlemen, with your
aid and cooperation to sustain me, it is my
I sincere hope shall obtain its fullest realiza-
tion here, is the rule Of the majority. g g
I Now. then, gentlemen, as to the mode
in which. this is to be accomplished. ]
presume we all agree--at least i hope we
I; do; as to the doctrine that the majority
( ofthe people Of Kansas shall establish theiI
7 own constitution and introduce such social
1 institution as themajoritys prefer. But how
lis it SO be done?-The Congress of the
United States has established for Kansas
/ but one mode of action on this subject. and
4 that action is though the Territorial Legis,
lature. ~- o a.Eais
1 Now, none Of you can regret more than
4 do, any of those deplorable and calami-
/ tous circumstances which have taken place
in the past For myself, / wish to over
!, look the past and look toward to better
and brighter future. That Territorial Leg
4 islature, has, in respect to the authority
over this question, been recognized by
1 Congress, in acts of 1855 and 1857
!, That Legislature has called Convention
! to assemble in September next. That Con.
| stitution they will or will not submit to
4 the vote ofthe majority of the actual, res,
I ident settlers of Kansas. IL they do not