Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-06-11
Walkers inaugural Address.

proval of all the citizens of Kansas, an
win the confidence of tho men of al
parties, who are honest and desire t
see peace and quiet restored in the Ter
ritory, and an amicable settlement o
the vexed questions at issue in its poll
teal organization, previous to its admis
sion into the Union as Il State. The AID
dress is very lengthy, and to give it il
full would occupy half of our paper
Our readers therefore, must be contcn
with a brief synopsis.
In seeking to impress upon the minds
of every citizen the Importance of tax
ing part in the election of delegates, the
Governor uses the following clear anG
concise language:
"Under our practice the preliminary
act of framing a State Constitution, is
uniformly performed through the instru,
mentality of a convention of delegates
chosen by the people themselves. That
convention is now about to be elected
by you under the call of the Territorial
Legislature, created and still recognized
by the authority of Congress, and cloth
ed by it, in the comprehensive language
of the organic law, with full power to
make such an enactment. The Terri
torial Legislature, then, in assembling
this convention, were fully sustained by
the act of Congress, and the authority
of the convention is distinctly recogniz-
ed in my instructions from the Presi-
! dent of the United States.
Those who oppose this course, cannot
aver the alledged irregularity of the
Territorial Legislature, whose laws in
town and city elections, in corporate
franchises, and on all other subjects but
slavery they acknowledge by their votes
and acquiescence. IF that Legislature is
invalid, then arc we without law or or
der in Kansas, without town, city or
county organization, all legal and judi
cious transactions are void, all titles
null, and anarchy reigns throughout
our borders.
1t is my duty, in seeing that all con-
s%titutional laws are fairly executed, to
take care, as far as practicable, that this
election of Delegates to the convention
shall be free from fraud and violence,
and that they shall be protected in their
deliberations.
The people of Kanas then, are invited
by the highest authority known to the
Constitution to participate freely and
fairly in the election of the delegates to
frame a Constitution and State Govern
ment. The law has performed it's en-
tire appropriate function when it ex-
tends to the people the right of suffrage;
l,,k - oo.nak ooo-o1 A. -o,c,-aoao
of that duty. Throughout our whole
Union, however, and wherever free gov
eminent prevails, those who abstain
from the right of suffrage, authorize
those who do vote to act for them in
that contingency, and the absentces are
as mueh-beuhd under tho law and the
Constitution, where there is no fraud or
violence, by the act of the majority of
those who do vote, as although all had
participated in the election. Otherwise,
as voting must be voluntarily, self-gov-
eminent would be impracticable, and
monarchy or despotism would remain as
the only alternative"
In regard to the arguments so much
used, that the Constitutional Convention
election had not been legal, he says:
"But it is said hat the Convention
is not legally called, and that the cleo
tons will not be fairly conducted. The
Territorial Legislature is tho power or
dained for this purpose by the Congress
of the United States and in opposing
it, you resist the authority of the Fed
eral Government. That Legislature was
called into being by the Congress of
1854, and is recognized in the very
latest Congressional Legislation. 1t is
recognized by the present Chief Magis-
trate of the Union, just chosen by the
American people, and many of its acts
are now in operation here by universal
assent. AS the Governor of the Terri
tory of Kansas, I must support the laws
of the Constitution and [ have no
other alternative under my oath, but to
see that all Constitutional laws are fully
and fairly executed.
I see in this act calling the conyen-
ton, no improper or unconstitutional
restriction upon the right of suffrage. I
see in it no test-oaths or other similar
provisions objected to in relation to
previous laws, but clearly repealed as
repugnant to the provisions of this act,
so far as regards the election of dele
gates to this Convention. 1t is said
that a fair and full vote will not be taken.
Who can safely predict such a result ?
Nor is it just for a majority, as they al
legged, to throw the power inc the hands
of the minority, from a mere apprehen-
sion, q trust entirely ~unfounded) that
they will not be permitted to exercise
the right of suffrage. If, by fraud or
violence, a majority should moi be per-
mitted to vote, there is a remedy, it is
hoped, in the wisdom and justice of the
Convention itself, acting under the obi
cations of an oath, and a proper respon-
sibility to the tribunal of public opinion.
There is a remedy, also, if such facts
can be demonstrated, in the refusal of
Congress to admit a State into the Union
under a Constitution imposed by a maj
GRITTY upon a majority by fraud or vio-
lence. Indeed, I cannot doubt that the
Convention, after having framed a State
Constitution, will submit it for ratifca
ton or rejection, by q majority of the