Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1857-07-30

which with that granted by the Territorial
Legislature, last winter. l find that they
differ intentionally in many essential par
ticulars. The new charter, then, Is set
up, not only without any authority of law,
but in direct and open defiance of an act
of tho Territorial Legislature on the same
subject.
On this point your committee, whose
views have been adopted by you, make the
following statements:
"Under ordinary circum stances the
more regular method of proceeding would
be to obtain a charter from the Territorial
authorities. AS the Territorial govern
ment, however. in no sense represents the
people of Kansas, was not elected by them,
and can have no right to legislate for them.
we cannot accept one at its hands. And,
as the State government has not, as yet,
deemed it advisable to proceed to the or
ganization of local and municipal govern
ments, we cannot obtain charter from it.
There is therefore left us only alternative
of a charter sprinying directly from the
people, or a continuance in our present
unorganized condition.
"Under these circumstances, you have
seen fit to instruct us to present charter
having discussed its provisions in pre-
liminary assemblage, and now propose to
submit il to full vote Of the people for
approval or rejection"
1t will be perceived that the authority of
the Territorial government is here dis
tinctly denied. whilst that of the so called
State government is acknowledged, it is
conceded that no charter has been granted
by them. Indeed, it is fact that, "a
though this State government: has, in itself.
no legal assistance or authority yet you ask
ed and failed to receive charter from
:h.m.
Under these circumstances, you have
proceeded to establish government for the
city or Lawrence in direct defiance of the
Territorial government, and denying its
existence or authority. You have granted
to this city government the authority to
elec, Mayor and Board Of Aldermen.
City Assessor, Treasurer, Justices Of the
Peace, DC. You have granted to the May
or and Aldermen most extensive powers,
Including the right to levy and collect tax
es upon real and personal property wi;hiu
the limits of the city, whether belonging
to residents or non-residerts, and all other
powers usually belonging to city govern
ment.
You have imposed on all these officers
the duty Of taking an oath to support this
so-called State Constitution, thus distinct
ly superseding. SO far as in your power
the Territorial Government created by the
Congress Of The United States. You have
caused these proceedings to be printed ii
handbill form, and have distributed them
am informed. throughout the Territory,
with the view to incite the other cities
towns and counties i'm Kansas to establish
insurrectory governments, thereby placing
the people of this Territory, so far as il
your power. in open conflict with the t'ov
ernment Of the United States.
The more considerable portion of you
party having induced your Topeka Legis
lasure to enact the laws urged by you. ere
a:ing municipal government, you have
even in defiance of their authority, which
you profess to acknowledge. proceeded &,
create such government for Lawrence
and are now urging other localities to pur
sue similar course. Your evident pur
pose is thus to involve the whole Terri.or,
in insurrection, and to renew the scenes o
bloodshed and civil war. Upon you then
must rest the guilt and responsibility o
this contemplated revolution. You will b.
justly charges able in law and in conscicnc
. with all the blood that may be shed il
this contest. and upon you must fall tn
: punishment.
! You have elected your officers unde
" the charter, and instructed them TO ente
" upon the immediate discharge of their du
It ties. including the adoption of ordinance
If and the execution thereof. under an au
o thority having itself no legal existence
J. and established in direct defiance If tn
e Government Of the United States.
i From all these facts, it is obvious If ys,
:. are permitted to proceed. and especially
!. your example should be followed as urge,
e by in you in other places, that for all prac
e teal purposes in many important parlicu
i lars. the Territorial government will b
u overthrown. The charters granted by tina
It government for similar purposes. will b
II dlsregarded. and the justices Of the peac
e and other officers. will be brought neces
: sarily into conflict and collision With III
1 IL &c -