Squatter sovereign., 1857-12-05

their proceedings were protested against
by the people on the ground of illegally
and unfairness, and that the presence of a
portion of the United States army was
necessary to protect them during their sit.
tings. against the Indignation of an out
ragged people. In the face of these facts
they have refused to submit the inssru.
msnt they have thus framed to vote of
the people for ratification or rejection
TEey provide for swindle, styled by them
an election, in which neither the Constitu-
ton, nor any material part thereof. can be
elected or rejected. They have. pending
this action. provided for state election on
the first Monday of January next, under
said instrument, and under the authority of
a usurping Regency, unknown to consti.
Stutional authority, and dangerous TO the
liberties of the people, the design o. the
same being to ROB from the people Of
Kansas their rights, as rescued through
the ballot box in October last, and destroy
the only legitimate Territorial Legislative
body ever IN Kansas. This dangerous as
sumption of power calls for prompt and
efficient remedy from the people, the only
legitimate source of power ;-therefore,
Resoived, 1st, That we utterly repudi-.
ate said constitution, framed at Lecompton,
that il is aninstrument hostile TO the popu-
Ia will, and appealing to The God Of JUS
tice and humanity for the rectitude of our
intentions, we do solemnIy enter into
league and covenant with each other, that
we shall rserer. under any circumstances,
he, fro, II
and NOT SUBMITTED, to be the organic
law for the State of Kansas, but do pledge
our lives, our fortunes and sacred honors
III ceaseless hostility 20 the same.
Resolred, 2nd, That we denounce the
so called election Of December 21st as n
oswindle, and the election Of January 4th,
1853, as a crime and misdemeanor
against the peace of this Territory, and
the will of the majority. =; groe 2
Resolved, Sd, That the Legislature
elected in this Territtry on the 5th day of
October. 1857. is the only legitimate law
making body that has ever been elected
for the Territory of Kansas, and that its
functions shall not be suspended by any
constitution or state government until a
fair and impartial note shall be had on the
same. .l
Resolved, 4th, That this delegate con-
vention do hereby re-endcrse the constitu-
tion known as The Topeka Constitution.
and do declare it TO represent the wishes
of the majority of the people Of Kansas
to-day, and that when it shall havetagain
received the popular sanction, under au-
thority of the only legitimate Territorial
Legislature ever convened in Kansas
Territory, recognized by the authority of
the United States, that we shall maintain
it against all opposition.
ResoLred, 9Th, That looking, chiefly to
the above end, we respectfully memorial
| ize the Territorial Legislature, about to
convene in extra session on the 9TH inst,
TO frame fair and impartial election law,
and that they, under it, do submit the two
constitutions 1T the peoples constitution
framed at Topeka. and the constitution
framed at Lecompton-to vote of the
people of this territory, and that the said
which shall receive a majority of all the
legal votes shall become the fundamental
Jaw foE The State of Kansas. a
: Motions We're made in d;fsr.,,, 49,, -, :, :
OF The hall to pass the resolutions by ,,.
clamation, and the question was put and
carried by giving nine enthusiastic c. e rs
| for the resolutions.
A motion was then made that the del.
egates be requested to sign the resolutions
which was carried.
Mr.. w. A. Phillips after short speech
offered the following resolution, which, on
motion. was adopted
Resoiued. That this. Convention do ex.
press its appreciation Of the &C: of Hon. f
P. Stanton. acting Governor of Kansas
Territory in convening special session oI
the Territorial Legislature in this emer-
gency. and in favor Of securing the public
peace and the rights OF the people.
Gen. Lane, moved that when this Con-
vention adjourns, it adjourn until Monday
next, at 10 o'clock, to meet at Lecomp,on,
and that this Convention be subject TO the
call of the Chairman of the Territorial Ex-
ecutive Commi,tee, which ruoiion was ad-
opted. -goF
On motion.
Resolued, That the thanks Of this Con-
vention be rendered for the use CT the
church for our sittings. 9e1
Resoired, That the thanks of this Con-
vention be rendered to the President and
officers for the impartial and dignified
manner in which they have discharged
their arduous duties. Carried.
The Convention adjourned with three
cheers. CHAS. ROBINSON, PRESS. )
WV. A. PHrLLIrs. s.
! E. C. Macy, Secretaries.
a. WATrLEs, sF9..
EJ Extract from a letter bu the Rev