Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1857-12-18

/ Did Congress mean By this language that the
delegates elected 10 frame constitution should
have authority finally to decide the question Of
slavery, on itl they intend by leaving it to the
people that the people of Kansas themselves
should decide ibis question by direct vote!-
| On this snbjaet confess had never entertain
ed o serious doubt, and therefore, in my in
| structions to Governor Walker of the 2Sth
| March last, merely said that when ga con-
| stitution 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 violence"
In expressing this opinion it was FAR from
my inteution 10 interfere with the decision of
ths people of Kansas, either for or against
slavery From this / have always carefully
abstained. Intrusted with the daty OF taking
scare that the laws be faithfully executed" !"
| my only desire was that the people cf Kansas
should furnish to Congress The evidence required
by the organic act, whether for or against
slavery: and in this manner smooth their passage
into the Union. Iu emerging from the con-
dtiou Of territorial dependence into that of
sovereign State, it was then duty, inm opinion,
to make known their will BY the votes of the
majority, on the direct question 0hether this
important domestic institution should OF should
not continue to exist Indeed, this was the
only possible mode in which their will could be
automatically aseeriaiued.
The election of delegates to convention
must necessarily take place in seperate dis
tricts. From this cause it may readily happen
as has often been the case, that majority of
the people of State or Territory are on one
| side Of question, whilst a majority of the
representatives from the several districts into
which it is divided may be upon the other
| side. This arises from the fact that in some
| districts delegates may be elected by small
majorities, whilst in others those of different
sentiments may receive majorities sufficiently
| great not only to overcome the votes given for
the former, but to leave large majority of the
| whole people in direct opposition 10 majority
Of the delegates. Besides, our history proves
that influences may be brought TO bear on the
representative sufficiently powerful to induce
/ him to disregard the will Of his constituents
| The truth is, that no other authentic and sat
lSfactory mode exists Of as;ertainng the will OF
a majority of the people Of any State or Terri
tory on an important and exciting question like
that of slavery in Kansas, except BY leaving it
| to direct vote, How wise, then, was it Cor
! Congress TO pass over all subordinate and in-
! tGrmediate agencies, and proceed directly to
the source OF all legitimate power under our
| institutions
| How vain would any other principle prove in
| practice, This may be illustrated by the case
| OF Kansas. Should she be admitted into the
Union, with constitution either maintaining
or abolishiug slavery, against the sentiment Of
the people. this could have no other effect than
20 continue and 10 exasperate the cxlstlug
agitation during the brief period required to
mate the constitution conform to the irresistible
viii ol the majority.
The friends aud supporters of the Nebraska
and Kansas act, when struggling on a recent
occasion to susts;n its wise provisions before
the great tribunal Of the American people, new
er differed about its true meaning on this sub
ject. Everywhere throughout the Union they
publicly pledged their faith and their honor,
that they would cheerfnlly submit the question
Of slavery to the decision Of the bona fde peo-
pie of Kansas, without any restriction or qpal-
i6cation whatever. All we're cordially united
Upon the great doctrine of popular sovereignty,
which IS the vital principle of our free instifu-
tons. Had it then been insnuated from any
quarter that it world bea sufficient compliance
with the reqrsitions of the organic law for the
members OF convention, thereafter to be elect
ed, to withhold the question of slavery from
the people, and to substitute their own will for
that of legally-asceItained majority of all
their constituents, this wond have been instant
ly rejected, Everywhere they remained true
TO the resolution adopted on celebrated ocea-
sion recognising "the right of the people of all
the Territories including Kansas and Nebras-
ka-acting through the legally and fairly-ex-
pressed will of a majority of actual residents,
and whenever the number of their inhabitants
justi6es it, to form constitution, with or with
out slavery, and be admitted into the Urion
upon terms of perfect equality with the other
| States"
The convention TO frame q constitution for
| Kansas met On the first Monday of September
last. They were called together by virtue of
an act, of the territorial legislature, whose law
fal existence had been recognised by Congress
| in different forms and by different enactmcnts.
A large proportion of the citizens OF Kansas did
not taink proper to register their names and to
vote at the election for delegates but an OPP
portunity to 90 this having been fairly afforded
their refusal TO avail themselves of their right
| could in no manner affect the legality of the
convention.
This convention proceeded to frame consti-
tuition for Kansas, and finally adjourned on the
/ TIP day Of November But little difficulty oc-
Cured 10 the convention, except on the sab
ject of slavery. The truth is that the general
provisions of our recent State constitutions are
so similar-and, may add, SO excellent-that
the difference between them is not essential
Under the earlier practice of the government,
no constitution framed by the convention of a
Territory preparatory to its admission into the
Union, had been submitted to the people
trust however, the example set by the last
Congress, requiring that the constitution OF Min
nesota ''should be subject to tie approval and
ratification ofth people Of the proposed State,''
may he followed on future occasions. | took
it for granted that the convention of Kansas
would act in accordance with this example.
I