The Kanzas news., 1857-07-18
why we Support the Topeka Con-
efituticn.

etitution.
The right sof self-governtnent is a truth
only. contested by fools, OF wrested from a
people bytyrants. For the preservation and
smaintenanee Of that right, the founders of
the American Republic maged a long and
: unequal contest against the then mcssl pow
erfnl geyernmeut in the world Il Is for the
triumph of this great trpsh that in all ages,
: oSators have spekefi, warriors fought, pa
: triots strsggied and martyrs have died
TIE french Revolution of so left its desc
lating track on the fresh green eartk-a sig
ni6cant warning to those who would deprive
nation of its God-given liberties. For this
truth has the Magyar bied, the Polander
hoped and suffered, and the nations of old
made the ages ring with their deadly strug-
gIes%
To maintain inviolate this right. so dear
TO free hearts. and above all sacred in the eyes
of every true American citizen, lave the
squatters of Kanzss, few in numbers, and
feeble in resources, struggled for two years
against foe far superior IN strength and
wealth, aided and abetted coyertly and open
ly by the highest branches of the government
to which they (the squatters) looked for
protection. We support the Topeka Con-
stitution because it is the child of this strug
gle, the legitimate offspring of the deterni
nation of the people of Kanzas to keep at all
risks the right of self-govenment. We
= L ILL
it, as Gov. Walker asserts in a pettifoging
plea, utterly unworthy OF his fame as a states
man, or his reputation as lawyer, but be-
cause we recognize in il the embodiment of
all that is dear to US as Freemen. We sup
port that Constitution and the government
organized under it, not because we were of
theconrention that framed it, or even of the
immortal 1871 who voted for it; for at thai
time we were not citizensof Kanzas, but be-
cause its triumph viii be another victory
on the side of right and justice. TIE To-
peka Constitution was the result of great
public necessity, growing out of crisis,
where Ruffian foes had left nothing in tie
hands of an oppressed people. but resort
back to the underlying principle of sover-
eighty, which in this document is ably en-
bodied We support it because we see.in
its success another grand step in tie pro-
gress of the Revolution commenced on this
continent when the waves of Plymouth Har
Dor kissed the Mayfower's keel; :. revolg-
ton continued step b. step down to the
present day; a struggle which IS never to
cease till all men are free, and the sun looks
not down upon single slave.
We support it because the Constitution
itself, apart from any extraneous considera-
tons, is a good one;-a document full a.
wise and liberal in its provisions~as are the
constitutions of Ohio, New York, or any
of the Northern States. The '' hue and ery''
that our foes are setting up tbat tie lnajori-
ty of the people have had nothing to do with
framing it, is of no force, when we remem-
Der that comparatively very few now living
had anything to do with the making Of the
governments of any of the States in which
they reside; but it is. still more worthless
when we remember that the vast majority of
those who are in Kanzas, came with a full
knowledge Of her history and are equally with
those who have been its tried defenders The
advocates and supporters of the admission
of Kanzas into the Union under that Consti-
ton which has already received the approba-
ton of the popular branch of tie National
Government.
We support the Topeka Constitution be-
cause under it we may hope to see another
State wheel into the same line of battle, and
stand in the same front with the New Eng
land States-with New York, Ohio. and the
whole Northern phalanx, who are battling
in the councils of the Nation for the perma-
nent triumph of free principles, free labor
and free soil. With Kanzas admitted into
the Union under the Free Slate organization,
We confidently expect to see her Senator's
and Representatives standing side by side
with the most devoted adherents of Univer-
sal Freedom.
For these reasons, among others. we de-
sire the victory of that principle which is
embodied in the Topeka Constitution; bur
above all do we desire TO see a thorough or
ganization of the State under II, because IN
it lies the only peaceful ana honorable solu-
ton of all our difficulties, and because The
people demand it, and ii is their right. Long
enough has corrupt National ariministrs.-
ton and tyranical ofssrchv kept from rs
these blessings of peace. and deluged our
land in blood and war. Now, as inthe past.
the Freemen Of kanzas ask only legitimate.
proper and peacefal settlement Of these
wrongs, and this thev are dttesnassses 10 ltzre.