The Davenport daily gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1869, 1857-03-28
TorsxA. II. n. March II, 1857

DslA Aaa Manly 1sssla1asns.
So
ToPExA. x. T., March ~, 1857. :.
One Of the largest conventions ever held
in KAnsas, was IN session in Topeka. dsr,ng
Tuesday and "Wednesday Of this wesk.--
Judge Wakefield was called to the chair,
and n. niles Moore Secretary, Committees
vere appointed ON credentials and perma-
neat oreaniratioR.
The chairman sf the Commi,tee an Plat
form reported The following, which was
Adopted. after discussion,
RESOLUTIONS.
We, citissns Of Kansas, in delegate con-
veation assembled, at Topeka, March 10.
A. ID. 1851, resolve and declare
WlsaEAs, A body Of men. recently a..
ssmbled At Lecompson, aud claiming to be
the Legislative assembly Of kansss Terrific.
y, have adopted regulation purporting TO
30 Law, for taking the census and electing
dele1stes 70 . constitutional convention,
proposed to bs held in that place in 6epten.
bsr next; and whereas, the said assembly
was the creature Of fraud, and tie members
the representatives. Of people foreign to this
Territory; and whereas. the organic act
does not authorize the Territorial legisls-
tive powers. svsn when legislatively con-
ysnsd, to pass any enabling act to change
the soyernment Of the same; and, whereas,
the act Of this assembly 10 psrtixan in its
character, clearly contemplates fraud, for
the recurrence OF whichit Offers inadequate
security, while il deprives the executive Of
the Territory Of the power to prevent or re-
msdy such frauds, leaves the control Of the
CO usus and election in the hands of pretend
ed officers, not chosen BY the people Of
Kansas, who are Of violent character and
hostile to the best interests Of theTerritory
and, whereas, said act proposes 10 dis
franchise certain bona ode settlers of Kan
sss, who have 6led their declaration to be.
come citisens Of the United States, recog-
nised % voters BY the Organic Act; and
whereas, there 10 no provision in the said
regulation, for submitting the constitution
90 framed to the vote Of the people Of the
Territory; therefore.
l. Resolved, That the people OF Kansas
Territory cannot participate in any election
under such regulation without compromi'
sina their rights rs American citizens. sacri.
fcine the best interests Of Kansas, and jeo'
pardixinR the public peace.
2. Resolved That having suffered un.
der the misruls Of persons pretending TO be
local officials Of this Territory, we have los,
al confidence in their integrity in the ad.
uisisuation Of the laws, however jus,
these laws may appear TO some on their
face.
8. Resolved, That with the people oil
any Territory alone rests the right to
CT snss the form Of their government, sub.
isct 10 the approval Of Congress, given be-
fore or sftsr steps for State Government
have been taken; and further that Terri
torisi Government Is sxtra-constitutonsl
and at best, under ordinances Of Congress,
purely Temporary.
4. Resolved. That the constitution
framed at Topeka by the representatives
Of the people Of K ansas, and ratified by pop
ular vote, 10 still the choice Of a majority OF
our citi1ens, a. the form Of our State gov.
eminent, and that we maintain il, and urge
on Congress our immediate ADM ssion as q
State, under il.
5. Resolved, That the policy Of the
free State party has always been averse to
any movement Of an aggressive character,
and that violence has never been resorted
to save in self-dsfsnce.
s. Resolved, That we regard the presence
OF peaceful relations existing between our
citizens a. coRdsclve TO their best personal
welfare, as well As indispensable TO the per-
feet development and expansion of the va
rious economical interests of the Territory.
To the end. therefore, that such relations
may be obtained and permanently establish.
ed amongst Us, We earnestly appeal to all
men, of whatever party, to submit all difii
culies Of opinion growing ont of the ques-
ton of our domestic institutions, to the test
of sound reason and enlightened, though
friendly, discussion, and the final arbitra-
msnt Of the bailo, boz; Provided. That any
attempt to abridge or impair The freedom of
speech, oral or written, or of the ballot-box,
will be held - just cause Of departure from
this policy.
7. Resolved, That We make no tests for
membership in the free State party, save
that of the exclusion OF domestic slavery
from Kansas by subsequent legislation.
g. Resolved, That Congress having pre-.
ssnted the principles OF squatter sovereign
~, a enunciated in the Kansas bill as the
political action Of the people OF Kansas, we
are infexibiy determined to abide by its
fsithful execution, a we ever bsveresolute.
~ opposed liz pervsrsion, and ever will
while IL remains on the statute book.
The Chairman of Committee ON Miscsl-
laneous Business, made the following re.
port 1t was adopted after discussion and
amendment, and read as follows:
The COMMITTEES on Miscellaneous Busi.
ness would respectfully submit the follow
ing report:
WHKxsAs, Hon. James Buchanan, il a
debate in the Senate of the United States
on the admission Of Michigan into the
Union, with q constitution framed in
similar manner to the State constitution o,
Kansas, declared that the people "s,apd up
On their right-rights secured to them by
the onstitution-eiected their officers" and
the whole machinery of 4 State govern
ment being perfected, that, having assumed
this attitude, they could demand their adj
mission a. matter Of right and as an act
of justice; and that to repel State under
such circumstances 10 sufficient to induce
fear for consequences, and cause statesmen
to nemble At an act of such injustice; and,
whereas, the present Democratic admins.
trstion, BY virtue Of the pledge made by it's
leaders in the late Presidential campaign,
are in all honor bound 10 use its influence
and lend its aid to make Kansas a free
State; and, whereas. the Democratic party
in the States made the admission Of Kan
sas q free State the inducemsnt to vote |
for him upon this issue.
Resolved, That the people of Kansas |
have q right to look with confidence TO the |
presen, chief executive of the nation for an |
approval Of their course, and for his as
sistancs in procuring their admission into |
the Union uader the Topeka Constitution. |
Resolved, That this convention would |
urge upon the State Legislature the impor-
lance of assembling in June, according TO |
and take such action as may |
be necessary to secure the vitality of the |
State government, and its recognition by |
Congress.
Resolved. That the territorial laws, so
called, Of Kansas, had their origin in fraud, /
we're imposed on the Territory in usurpatioa
md violence, in bold defiance and snbver.
zion OF the constitution, the organic act, and
every principle of justice, and are therefore
null and void; and we respectfully request
The territorial excessive TO refuse TO enforce
raid fraudulent enactments, Till Congress
,hsli provide for an election OF Terrific
.al Legislature by the people Of Kansas,
without interference from foreign States.
Resolved, That it 10 a shameless hypo-
crisy for political party to adop, for their