Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-12-10

swhen admitted as . State" was TO ''be receiy-
ed into the Union, wi3h or without slavery, as
their constitution may prescribe at the time OF
their admission"
Did Congress mean by this language that the
delegates elected 70 frame a constitution should
have authority finally to decide the question Of
slavery, or did they intend by leaving it to the
people that the people of Kansas themselves
should decide this question by . direct vote ?
On this subject | confess | hd never entertain
ed a serious doubt, and, therefore, in my in
structions to Governor Walker of the 18th
March last, | merely said that when "a cOnsti-
tuition shall be submitted to the people of the
Territory, they must be protected in the exer-
else of their right Of voting for or against that
instrument, and the fair expression of the po-
pular will must net be interrupted by fraud
or violence.
In 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 desire
was that the people of Kansas should furnish to
Congress the evidence required by the organic
act, whether for or against slavery; and in this
manner smooth their passage into the Union
In emerging from the condition of territorial
dependence into that Of a sovereign State, 1t
was their duty, in my opinion, TO make known
their will BY the votes of the majority, on the
direct question whether this important domestic
institution should or should not continue 10 ex-
list. Indeed. this was the only possible mode in
which their will could be automatically ascer-
tanned.
The election Of delegates to a convention must
necessarily take place in separate districts
From this cause it may readily happen. as has
often been the case, that a majority of the peo-
pie of q State or Territory are on one side ola
question, whilst a majority OF the representa-
tives from the several districts into which II 1t Is
divided may be upon the other side. This arises
from the fact that in some districts delegates
may be elected by small majorities, whilst in
others those of different sentiments may re-
ceive majorities sufficiently great not only to
overcome the votes given for the former, but to
leave a large majority of the whole people in di
rect opposition to a majority Of the delegates
Besides, our history proves that influences may
be brought to bear on the representative sufi
GENTLY powerful to induce him to disregard the
viii of his constituents. The truth is, that no
other authentic and satisfactory mode exists of
ascertaining the will of a majority of the peo-
pie of any State or Territory on an important
and exciting question like that of slavery in
Kansas, except by leaving it to a direct vote
How wise then, was it for Congress to pass over
all subordinate and intermediate agencies, and
proceed oirecuy u lne source Vi ah iesiuin''e
power under our institutions!
This msv BE- y iliussrs, : nv he case Of Kansas. should she
he admitted into the Union, with a constitution either
~ I'M nnonts or ,b SOo nonld bsv, e oa,Ser effect t Than to con.
tInre and 70 exasp.rate the existing agitation during the
brief period required to make the constitution conform to
Tia friends and supporters Of the Nebraska and Kan
sas act; when STRUGGLING on a recent occasion to sustain its
wise provisions before the great tribunal of the American
ject Everywhere throughout The Union they publicly
pledged tfsir faith and their honor, that tney would cneer :,
( soS, r,nr neonIe IF Kansas witbo1, anv restriction or
qualification whatever. All were cordially united upon the
srss1 S 1e, IN = popII ns,,,U,;ons n, n tbSs haen in
sInusied from any quarter that it would be a sulhcient COM
pfianes with the requisitions Of the 1rgaJie law ,or me mem
he uuestiOn Of slayers + om he peoales iard 10 substitute
thsir own VII for thass q = sEslysssser5ein es .sjo,ss Of
y ~ 4 "o"' ~
The convention to frame a constitution for
Kansas met on the first Monday Of Seutember
last. They were called together by virtue of
an act of the territorial legislature whose law
ful existence had been recognized By Congress
in different forms and nv A different enactmeuts.
A large proportion of the citizens of Kansas did
not think proper to register their names and to
vote at the election for delegates: but an oppor-
tuuity to do this having been fairly afforded.
their refusal to avail themselves of their right
could in no manner effect the legality of the
convention.
This convention proceeded to frame a con-
stitution for Kansas, and finally adjourned on
the It'll day of November. But little difficulty
occurred in the convention, except on the SUBJ
ject of slavery. The truth is that the general
provisions of our recent State Constitutions are
SO similar-and, | may add, so excellent that
the difference between them is not essential.
TT,1ar tho aarliar proafioa Of fha povarnmanf