The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1857-12-31

law at the time, but as have already sta.
ted, the people Of the Territory so under
stood IT, As a further evidence on that
point, large number. If not the majority Of
the delegates were instructed in the nominal
ting Conventions to submit the Constitution
to the people for ratification ! know that
the delegates from Douglas county, eight in
number Mr.. Calhoun, President OF the Con
yention, being among them, were not only
instructed thus, to submit the question, but
they signed, and published, while candidates.
a written pledge, that they would submit it
to the people tor ratification.
! know that men high in authority and in
the confidence Of the Territorial ard Ma
tional Government, canvassed every part Of
Kansas during the election of delegates,
and each one Of them pledged himself TO
the people that no snap judgment was TO be
taken; that the constitution was TO be sub
mitted TO the people, for acceptance or re-
jection that it would Devoid unless that was
done, that the Administration would spurn
and scorn it a. violation Of the principles
on which it came into power, and that
Democratic Congress would hurl it from
their presence, as an insult TO Democrats
who stood pledged TO see the people LEFT
free TO form their own domestic Institutions
br themselves. Not only that, sir. but up
to the time when the convention assembled,
on the LIST OF September, so far US | can
learn, it was understood everywhere that the
constitution was TO be submitted for ratiti-
cation or rejection. They met, however, on
the LIST OF September, and adjourned till af
ter the October election. think it was
wise and prudent tbs, ;Aey- should thus
have adjourned. They did not wish to
bring any question into that election which
would divide the Democratic party. and
weaken our chances OF success in the elec.
tion. ] was rejoiced when saw that they
did adjourn, so as not to show their hand on
any question that would divide and distract
the party until after the election During
that recess, while the convention was ad-
1ourned, Governor Ransom the Democratic
candidate for Congress, running against The
present delegate from that Territory, was
canvasslng every part of Kansas in favor
OF the doctrine of submitting the constitu-
ton to the people. declaring that the Demo
cratic party were in favor OF such submis
sion, and that it was Islander of the Black
Republicans TO intimate the charge that
the Democratic party did not intend TO carry
out that pledge in good faith.
Thus, up to the time OF the meeting OF the
convention, in October last, the pretence
was kept up, the profession was open
ly made, and believed by me, and |
thought believed by them, that the conven-
ton intended to submit constitution to the
people, and not to attempt to put govern.
ment in operation without such submission.
The election being over, the Democratic par
ty being defeated by an overwhelming vote,
the opposition having triumphed, and got
possession OF both branches of the LegisIa
ture, and having elected their Territorial
Delegate, the convention assembled and then
proceeded to complete their work Now
let US stop to inquire how they redeemed the
pledge to submit the constitution to tie
people. They first 60 on and make con-
stution. Then they make schedule. in
which they provide that the constitution, on
the 2lst OF December-the present month
shall be submitted TO all the bona fde inhab-
liants OF the Territory on that day. for their
free acceptance or rejection, in the following
manner, to wit thus acknowledging that
they were bound to submit it to the will Of
the people, concediDg that they had no right
to put 1t into operation without submitting
IT 10 the people, providing in the instrument
that 1t should take effect from and after the
date OF its ratification and not before; show
ing that the constitution derives its vitality
IN their estimation, not from the authority
oil the convention, but from that vote of the
people to which il was to be submitted for
their fire acceptance or lection. How is
il it to be submitted, 1t shall be submitted
IN this form Constitution with Slavery, or
Constitution with no Slavery"
All men must vote for the constitution.
whether they like it or not in order to be
permitted to vote for or against slavery.
Thus constitution made by q convention
that had authority 10 assemble and petition
for redress of grievances. but not 10 Is
taollsh governmental constitution made
under pledge of honor that it should le
submitted TO the people before it took e.
feet. a constitution which provides, On its
lace. that il shall have no validity except
what II derives from such submission,
submitted TO the people at an election where
all men are at liberty 10 come forward free.
iy and vote for ii, but no man is permitted to
vote against il. That would b. as fair an
election as some Of the enemies Of Napo.
leon attributed to him when he was elected
FIRST Consul. lie ia said TO have calle.i
out his troops, aud had them reviewed by
his officers, with speech, patriotic and fair
IN lis professions, in which be said To them
" Now, my soldiers, you are 10 20 TO the elec.
tion and vote freely just as you please. II you
vote for Napoleon, all Is well ; vote agains;
him, and YOU are Instantly 10 he shot. That
was a fair election. tLaughier) This
election Is to be equally lair. All men in
favor OF the constitution NAV vote for it
all men against il shall not vote at al.
Why not let them vote against it a, pr-
sumo you have asked many a man this qnts-
ton have asked a very large number Of
the gentlemen who fraurd the constitution.