Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-12-16

dress.
A demand for these purposes will be
made in firm but concilatory spirit
This will the more probably be granted If
the Executive shall have authority Ia
use other means in the event Of refusal.
This is accordingly recommended.
1t is unnecessary TO state in detail the
alarming condition of the territory of
Kansas al the time of my Inauguration.
The opposing parties then stood in hes
tile array against each other, and any ac- 5
cident might have rslighted the q 'mes of
civil war. Besides, at this critical mo-
ment, Kansas was left without govern
or, by the resignation Of Governor Gea-
ry. &
On the 10Th of February previous.
the territorial legislature had passed a
law providing FOR the election Of delegates
on the third Monday OF June, to con-
vention to meet on The lst Monday OF
September, tor the purpose of framing
Constitution preparatory to admission IN
TO the Union. This law vas in the main
fair and Just; and it IS to be regretted
that all the qualified electors had not reg
istered themselves and voted under its
provisions.
At the time of the election for dele
gates. an ex ensive organization existed
10 the Territory, whose avowed object 1t
was, &c need be, to pnt down the lawful
government by force, and to establish q
government of their own, under the so
called Topeka Constitution. The per-
sous attached TO this revolutionary or
ganization. abstsined from taking any
part in the election. tRa
The act Of the territorial Legislature
had omitted to provide for submitting to
the people, the Constitu,i which might
be framed by the Contention, and in the
excited state of public feeling throughout
Kansas. an apprehension extensively pre-
vailed that design existed to iorce upon
them constitution in relation 10 slavery
against their will. In this emergency it
became my duty, as it was my unques
lionable right. having in view the union
of all good citizens in support OF the ter
ritoriai laws. to express an opinion on
the true construction of the provisions
concerning slavery contained in the or
ganic act OF Congress declared it to be
'the true intent and meaning Of this act
not to legislate slavery into any Terrific
ry or Stale, nor 10 exclude it tberefro n.
but to leave the people thereof perfectly
free to form and regulate their domestic
institutions in their own way" Under
i, Kansas, "Rheu admitted as State"
- IL. liz
or without slavery. as their Constitution
may prescribe at the time Of their admis-
siou."
Did Congress mean by this language
that the delegates elected to frame
constitution should have authority finally
TO decide the question Of slavery, or did )
thsy intend by leaving it to the people Z
that the people of Kansas themselves
sho1ld decide this question By direct
vote? On this subject l confess | had
never entertained serious doubt, and,
therefore. in my Instructions TO Govern
or Walker of the 25gh Of Mlrch last, /
merely said that when ga constitution
shall be submitted to the people of the
Territory. they must be protected in the
exercises Of their right of voting for or
against the instrument, ard the fair ex-
preston OF the popular will must not be
interrupted by fraud or violence"
10 expressing this opinion it was far
from my intention to Interfere with the
decision Of the people of Kansas, either
for or against slavery. From this have
always carefully abstained. Entrusted
with the duty OF taking .'care that the
laws be faithfully executed. my only de-
sire was that the people Of Kansas should
furnish TO Congress the evidence requir-
ed by the organic act, whether for or
against slavery; and in this manner .
smooth their passage into the Union. In
from the condition of territori-
Al dependence into that of sovereign
State, it was their duty. in nv opinion, -
% make known their will by the votes of
he majority, on the direct question
this important domestic mssitu-,
ion should or should not continue to ex-
st. Indeed, this was the only possible
Dode IN which their will could be au-
hen tically ascerlained. ,.ae
the election OF delegates to a conven-si
ion must necessarily take place in sepa-
ate districts. From this cause it may
esdily happen, as has often been the
ase. that the majority OF the people of = n,
tate or Territory are one side of ques-g,
on, whilst majority of the representa-
YES from the several districts into which
is divided mag be upon the other side.
his arises from the fact that in some
lstricfs delegates may be elected bv.s
mall majorities. whilst in others those
different sentiments may receive maior-b
les sufficiently great not to overcome the
otes given for the former, but to leave
large majority Of The whole people ia
lrect opposition to majority OF the del
gates. Besides, our history proves that
iuence may be brought to bear on The
preventative sufficiently powerful to in.
lce him to disregard the will of his con-
iiuents. The truth is, that no other au-
eniic and satisfactory mode exists OF
certaining the viii of a majority Of the
cope of any State or Territory on an
lportant and exciting question like that
slavery in Kansas, except by leaving
to a direct vote. How wise, then, was
for Congress to pass over all subordi-
tie and intermediate agencies. and pro-
ed directly to the source of ali legiti.
ate power under our institutions? .sts
How vain would any other principle
owe in practical This may be illustra-
4 By the case of Kansas. Should she
admitted into the Union with a Con-
tuition either main,aiuing or abolishing
avery. against the sentiment of the peo-
E, this could have no other effect than
continue and to exasperate The existing
ltatlon during the brief period required
make the Constitution couform to the
'esistiole will ofthe majority. a
The friends and supporters of the Ne
aska and Kansas scs, when struggling