The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-03-14

WHEREAS, The Organic Act does not
authorize the Territorial Legislative powers,
even when legitimately convened, to pass
any enabling act, to change the government
of the same, and
WHEREAS, The Act of this assembly is
Partzan In its character, clearly contem-
plates fraud, for the recurrence OF which it
offers inadequate security; while It deprives
the Executive of the Territory of the power
to prevent or remedy such fraud, leaves the
control of the census and election in the
hands of pretended officers, mot chosen by the
people of Kansas, who are of violent charac-
teTs and hostile to the best interests of
the Territory and
WHEREAS, Said Act purports to disfran-
chise certain bona .fIde settlers Of Kansas,
who have fled their declarations of inten-
ton to become citizens, and are recognized
as voters by the Organic Act and
WHEREAs, There is no provision in the
said regulation for submitting the Constitu-
ton so framed TO the vote cf the people of
| the Territory therefore
/. Resoired, That the People of Kansas
Territory cannot participate in any election
under such regulation, without compronis-
ing their rights as American citizens, sac
rificing the best interests of Kansas and
ijeopardizing the public peace.
2. Resoired, That having suffered under
the misrule of persons, pretending 10 be the
| local officials of this Territory, we have LOST
all confidence in the integrity in the admin
istration of the laws, however Just these
laws may appear TO some on their face.
3. Resolred, That with the people of any
Territory alone, rests the right to change
the form of their government, subject to the
approval of Congress, given before or after
steps for the formation of a State Govern
ment have been taken and further, that {
Territorial government is extra Constitu
tional, and, at best, under ordinances o.
Congress, purely temporary.
a. ResOlred, That the Constitution framet
at Topeka, by the representatives of the peo
| pie of Kansas, and fati6ed bv popular vote
is still the choice of a majority of our Cit
zens, as the form of State Government, ,anc
| that we maintain and urge on Congress oul
immediate admission as State under it.
5. ResOlred, That the policy of the Free
State party has always been averse to any
movement of au aggressive character, anC
that violence has never been resorted to save
in self defence.
6. ResOlred, That we make no tests fo
membership in the Free State party, save
that ofthe exclusion of domestic slavery from
Kansas by subsequent legislation.
z. ResOtUed, That we regard the presence
of peaceful relations between our citizens a.
conducive to their best personal welfare a.
well as Indispensable to the perfect deyel
opnent and expansion of the various ecomi
cal interests Of the Territory to the enc
therefore that such relations may be obtain
ed and permanently established amongst III
we earnestly appeal to all men of whateve
party, to submit all differences of opinion
growing out of the question of our future in
ternal domestic institutions, to the test O
sound reason and enlightened, though friend
| ly discussion, and to the final arbitrament o
the ballot box.
| Provided, That any attempt to abridge o.
impair the freedom of speech oral or written
or of the ballot box, or other constitutional
rights, will be held as just cause of depar
ture from this policy.
| 8. ResolUcd, That Congress having pre-
sented the principles of Sqnatter Sovereignty
enunciated in the Kansas Bill as the basi
of the political action of the people of Kan
sas, we are infexibly determined to abide b,
its faithful execution, as we ever have reso
lutely opposed its decision and ever will
while it remains on the Statute book.
Pending the discussion of thes'
resolutions, the Convention adjourned