Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1857-12-17

resolutions adopted on celebrated occasion
recognizing the right Of the people Of all
the Territories Kansas and Me-
braska-acting through the legally and fair
y expressed will Of a majority Of actual
residents, and whenever the number Of their
inhabitants justilies it, TO form constitu.
ton, with or without slavery, and be admit
ted into the Union. upon terms Of perfect
equality with the other States"
The co.. vention TO frame constitution
for Kansas met on the first Monday Of Sep
TENDER last. They were called together by
virtue of an act Of the territorial legislature,
whose lawful existence had been recognised
by Congress in different forms and by diff.
ferent enactments. A large proportion of
the citizens of Kansas did not think proper
to register their names, and TO vote at the
election Of delegates; but an opportunity 10
do this having been fairly afforded, their re-
lusal to avail themselves Of their right, could
in no manner affect the legality of the con-
vention.
This Convention proceeded TO frame
Constitution for Kansas, and finally adjourn
ed on the 9Th day of November. But little
difficulty occurred in the convention, except
on the subject of slavery. The truth is
that the general provisions of our recent
State constitutions are so smilar--and,
may add, so excellent-that the difference
between them is not essential. Under the
earlier practice Of the Government, no con-
stitution framed by the convention of Ter
ritory preparatory TO its admis sion into the
Union as State had been submitted 10 the
people. trust however, the example set
by the last Congress, requiring that the
constitution Of Minnesota 'sheud be SUBJ
ject TO the approval and ratification of the
people of the proposed State" may be fol-
lowed on future occasions. | took it for
granted thatthe convention of Kansas would
act in accordance with this example, found
ed, as it is, on correct principles; and hence
my instructions to Governor Walker, in "a
vor of submitting the constitution to the
people, were expressed in general and I'M
qualified terms. ,=-r---. 49,
In the Kansas- Nebraska act however,
this eqlrirement, as applicable to the.wholu
constitution, had not been inserted, and the
, convention were not bound by its terms &c
. submit any otherportion of'.the Instrument
: to an election, except that which relates to
the domestic institution" of slavery. This
will be rendered clear by simple reference
to its language. 1t was not 10 legislate into
any Territory or State, nor to exclude. ii
therefrom, but TO leave the people thereof
perfectly free to form and regulate their
domestic institutions in their own way
According TO the plain construction of the
I sentence, the words domestic institutions
have direct.as they have an appropriate
reference to slavery. domestic institu.
lions" are limited 10 the family. The re.
lation between master and slave and a few
others are domestic institutions" and are
entirely distinct from institutions of polt-
ical character. Besides, thore was no ques
ton then before Congress, nor indeed has
there since been any serious question be-
fore the people or the country, except that
which relates 10 the domestic institution
of slavery.
The convention, after an angry and ex.
cited debate, finally determined, by major
ity Of only two TO submit the question of
slavery to the people, though at the last
forty three Of the fifty delegates present al
fixed their signatures TO the constitution.
J.! A large majority OF the convention were
in favor of establishing slavery 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. In the schedule,
however, providing for the transition from a
territorial 10 State government, the CUES
ton has been fairly and explicitly referred
to the people, whether they will have a
constitution "with or without slavery II
declares that, before the constitution adopt
ed by the convention "shall be sent TO Con-
eress Cor admission into the Union as a
State" an election shall be held to decide
this question, at which all the white male
inhabitants of the territory above the age OF
twenty one are entitled TO vote. They are
10 vote by ballot; and ''the ballots cast at said
election shall be endorsed constitution with
slavery, and constitution with no slavery
If there be a majority in favor OF the ICON
stitution with slavery" then ii is to be trans
mited TO Congress by the President of the
convention in lis original form. IT, on the
contrary, there shall be majority in favor
of The constitution with no slavery" "then
the article providing for slavery shall be
stricken from the constitution by the Pres-
dent Of this conventions" and it is expressly
declared that no slavery shall exist in the
State of of Kansas, except that the right Of
property in slaves now in the territory shall
in no manner be interfered with" and in
that event it is made his duty 10 have the
constitution thus ratified transmitted 10 the
Congress of the United States for The ad-
mission of the State into the Union.
At this election every citizen will have
an opportunity of expressing his opinion by
his vote "whether Kansas shall be received
into the Union with or without slavery
and thus this exciting question may be peace
fully settled in the very mode required by
the organic law. The election will be held
under legitimate authority, and if any por-
ton Of the inhabitants shall refuse to vote, a
fair opportunity TO do so having been pre-
sented, this will be their own voluntary act,
and they alone will be responsible for the
consequences.
Whether Kansas shall be free or slave
State must eventually, under some authority
i