The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1857-07-28
THE KANSAS TROUBLES.
wALKEWs PROCLAMATION.
LEAyENwoRrH. July l5. 1876,
u. 8. Troops Called Out.

have learned that considerable number
of the citizens of Lawrence, in this Territory,
have adopted, ms they claim, by a popular
vote, charter for their local government
A copy of that charter has been placed in
my hands; upon comparing which with that
granted 10y the Territorial Legislature, last
winter, / find that they differ Intentionally
in many essential particulars. The new char
ter, then, is set up, not only without any ALL
thority of law, but in direct and open def
ance of an act of the Territorial Legislature
on the same subject.
On this point your committee, whose views
have been adopted by yen, make the follow
ing statement;
"Under ordinary circumstances the more
regular method of proceeding would be to
obtain charter from the Territorial authori-
ties. AS the Territorial government, howev-
er, in no sense represents the people Of Kan
sas, was not elected by them, and can have
no right to legislate for them, we cannot ac-
cept charter at its hands. And, as the
State government has not, as yet, deemed it
advisable to proceed to the organization Of To-
cal and municipal governments, we cannot
obtain from it, There is therefore left us on
ly the alternative Of a charter springing di.
rectly from the people, or continuance in
our present unorganized condition.
"Under these circumstances, you have seen
fit TO instruct us to present charter, having
discussed its provisions in preliminary as
semblage, and now propose to submit it to a
full vote of the people for approval or rejec-
tion."
1t will be perceived that the authority of
ho ,o hara Hict fly
denied, and whilst that of the so-called State
Government is acknowledged, it is conceded
that no charter has been grantedd by them.
Indeed, it is n fact that, although this so-cal-
led State Government has, in itself, no legal
existence or authority, yet you asked and
failed to receive charter from them.
Under these circumstances, you have pro-
ceeded to establish government for the city
of Lawrence, in direct defiance of the Terri
torial government, and denying its existence
or authority. You have granted to this city
government the authority 10 elect Mayor
and Board of Aldermen, City Assessor, Treas.
urer, Justices of the Peace, City Marshal,
DC. You have granted TO the Mayor and AL
dermen most extensive powers, including the
right to levy and collect taxes upon real and
personal property within the limits of the
city, whether belonging 10 residents or non
residents, and all the other powers usually
incident to city government.
You have imposed upon all these officers
the duty of taking an oath to support this
so-rnllod. State Constitution, thus distinctly
supersedinG, so far as IN your power. the Ter
ritoral Government cfeateu ~ -
of the United States. ioG have caused
these proceedings TO be printed in handbill
form, and have distributed them, as am in
formed, throughout the Territory, with the
view 10 incie the other cities, towns and
counties of Kansas to establish instruction
ary governments, thereby placing the people
of this Territory, so far as in your power, IN
open conflict with the Government of the
United States.
The more considerable portion Of your par
ty having induced your Topeka Legislature
to enact the laws urged by you, creating mu-
nicipal government you have even in def
ance TO their authority, which you profess to
acknowledge. proceed to create such a gov
ernment for Lawrence, and are now urging
other localities TO pursue n similar course
Your evident purpose is thus to involve the
whole Territory in instruction, and 10 renew
the scenes of bloodshed and civil war; Up
on you, then, must rest all guilt and respon-
sibility Of this contemplated revolution. You
will be Justly chargeable in law and conscience
with all the blood that may be shed in this
contest, and upon you must fall the punish
ment.
You have elected your officers under this
charter and instructed them to enter upon
the immediate discharge of their duties, in
Guiding the adoption of ordinances and the
execution thereof under an authority having
in itself no legal existence, and established
in direct defiance of the Government Of the
United States.
From all these facts, it is obvious if you
are permitted to proceed, and especially If
your example should be followed as urged by
you in other places, that for all practical pur-
poses in many important particulars, the Ter
ritorial government will be overthrown. The
charters granted by that government for sim
liar purposes will be disregarded. and the
justices Of the peace and other officers acting
under their authority, will he brought neces-
sarilv into conflict and collision with the So
called officers claiming to act under different
authority.
The Territory will thus be involved in in
cxtracticabe confusion and litigation; the val
ue Of your property be greatly dcpficated;
your titles, transfers, transactions and con-
tracts will be subjected TO endless and costly
disputes, and all will suffer from this insur-
rection. except the LAWYERS who have stimu-
lated this movement A government found
ed on insurrection and usurpa ion will be sub
sttulcd for that established 10y the authority
Of Congress, and civil war will be renewed
throughout our limits. IL your authority TO
act in this manner for the city of Lawrence
is permitted, similar authority must be ac-
knowledged in every other town, city or coun-
ty, result in an inevitable and most disastrous
conflict; and If successful, the Territorial gov
ernment to bc overthrown in detail, rs is your
present purpose.
You were distinctly informed in my inau-
gural address Of May last, that the validity
Of the Territorial laws was acknowledged by
the government Of the United States, and
| that tbov uust and would he carried into ex-