Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1857-12-18
apologies and misrepresentation to aid in
the eomsummation of the Kansas plot!

apologies and misrepresentation to aid in
the eomsummation of the Kansas plot!
"In the Kansas Nebraska oct, however,
this reguircnen as applicable to the whole
constitution, had not been inserted, and
Abe convention were not bosnd by its terms
TO submit any others portion of the intru.
ment to an election, except that which re.
lates to the domestic institution' Of slavery.
This will be rendered clear by simple re-.
ference to its language. 1t was mot to
legislato slavery into any Territory OF
State, nor to exclude it therefrom, but to
leave the people thereof perfectly free to
form and regulate their domestic institu.
fions in their own way. According to the
plain construction Of the sentence, the
words domestic institutions have direct
us they have an appropriate reference to
slavery. Domestic institutions are limi-
ted to the family. The relation between
master and slave and few others are do
mestic institutions and are entirely dis.
tinct from institutions of political char.
ac,er. Besides, there was no question
then before Congress, nor indeed has there
since been any serious question before the
people Of Kansas, or the country, except
that which relates to the domestic institu-
ton of slavery.
"The convention, after an angry and
excited debate, finally determined, by a
majority Of only tuo, to submit the ques-
tion of sldrery to the people, though at the
last forty three Of the fifty delegates pre-
sen. affixed their signatures to the consti-
tuition.
ga large majority of de contention rerc
in fioor Of establishing Starery in Kansas
They accordingly inserted an article in the
constitution for this purpose, similar in
form to those which had been adopted by
other territorial conventions"
Aye, Honorable Sir, not only "a large
majority Of the Convention" but euery
member Of the Convention, as you we'll
know, were in favor not SO much of "es-
tablisbiug slavery in Kansas" for you
argue that it is already Established there
but of pe,petuatipy it. The only question
was ho,o to do it, and the farce of "submit-
ting" single section was at last decided
upon as the best way to pacify the North.
Your language might lead some to infer
that there might have been some oppo-
nen's Of Slavery in the Convention, but
that is deceptive and untrue. 1t was
wholly one-sidcd, exparte assembly, no.
toriously misrepresenting the people for
whom they professed to act, nor can you
make it legally or morally of binding force
upon them.
"In tbs schedule, however, providing
for the transition from territorial to a
State government, the question has been
fairy and expiicigy refcrred TO the people
whether they will have constitution ',ciM
Or Uih'om slace,y.' 1t declares that, be-.
fore the constitution adopted by the con-
ven,ion shall be sen. to Congress for ad-
mission into the Union as State, an elec-
lion shall be held to decide this question,
at which oil the white male inhabitants of
tho Territory, above the age of II, are en-.
titled to vote. They are to vote by ballot;
and the ballots cas-; at said election shall
be endorsed "coastitution ,riM sLavery" and
f constitution Nth no siarery" If the ere
be majority in favor of the Constitution
with slavery then it is to be transmitted
10 Congress BY the president of the con-
Veution in its original form. If, on the
there shall be a majority in favor
# the constitution with no slavery then
he article proridiny for slasery shall be
stricken from the constitution by the pres
Ident Of this convention and it is express.
y declared that mo slavery shall exist 10
The State Of Kansas, EXCEPT that The right
!f property in Slaves now in the Territory
'haN IN no manner be intertcred Uith :
md 10 that event it is made his duty to
have the constitution thus ratified trans.
mitted to the Congress of the United
States for the admission of the State into
the Union.
"Atthis election, every citizen will have
an opportunity of expressing his opinion
by his vote whether Kansas shsll be re.
ceived into the Union rih or uithom sla.
'.ry, aud thus this exciting question may
be peacefully settled in the very mode re.
qnired by the organic law. The election
will be held under legitimate authority, and
if nny portion Of the inhabitants shall re.
fuse to vote, fair opportunity to do SO
having been presented, this will be their
own voluntary act, and they alone will be
responsible for the consequences.
"Whether Kansas shall be free or a
slave State must eventually under some
authority, be decided by an election; and
the question can ncUer be more clearly or
distinctly presented 20 the people than it is
ut tho present moment. Should this op-
be rejected, she may be involved
Tor years in domestic discord, and possibly
IN civil war, before she can again make
ip the issue now so fortunately rendered,
md again reach the point she has already !
ltiained."
What studied Misrepresentation what
upon the credulity or stupidity
# the people-are here exhibited! The
lonsfitut,0n itset is not quoted but, by
Vi accounts it raf.fes and confirms ALL
he remaining Pro Slavery laws passed by
he Infamous Bogus Legislature, and ex-