The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1857-06-20

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ed, l believe that the man who desires the
minority Of the people shall establish u
stitutions for the majority, is, whatever
he may call himself, neither Democrat
nor Republican, but monarchlst, or an
aristocrat. He desires that the few shall
govern the many, whereas the great fun
/ damental doctrine which lies at the basis OF
/ all our American institutions, upon which
thew all repose, and which has been car
ried into successful operation IN every
other State but Kansas, and which, gen.
tlemen, with your aid and cooperation to
sustain me, it is my sincere hope shall OBJ
tain its fullest realization here, IS the rule
of the majority.
Now, then, gentlemen, as to the mode
in which this is to be accomplished. 1
presume we all agree-at least [ hope we
do-to the doctrine that the majority of
the people of Kansas shall establish their
own Constitution, and introduce such So
cial institutions as the majority prefer
But how is this to be done? The Con- |
gress of the United States has established I
! for Kansas but one mode OF action on this |
subject, and that action is through the
Territorial Legislature.
Now, none Of you can regret more than
do anv of those deplorable and calami- |
tous circumstances which have taken place |
in the past For myself, L wish to over
look the past and look forward to better
and brighter future. That Territorial
Legislature has, in respect to the author
: ity over this question, been recognized by
: the acts of Congress of 1854 and 1857
: That Legislature has called Convention
to assemble in September next. That
Constitution they will or they will not
submit to vote of the majority of the
then actual, resident settlers of Kansas.
, If they do not thus submit it will join
e YOU. fellow citizens, in lawful opposition
n to their course. [Cries ofgood and cheers.
e And | cannot doubt, gentlemen, that one
e much higher than /, the Chief Magistrate
of the Union, will join you in opposition.
S But for myself. cannot doubt that that
h Convention will submit such an instru-
: ment as they may frame, for the adoption
|, or rejection of the whole people OF Kan
S sas. to all who now are or then may be,
5. actual, bona fde resident settlers of Kan
e sas. Then, in pursuance of the method
e designated by the laws of your country,
e bv the instructions of the Chief Magistrate
h of the Union, who was placed there by the
= people and sworn by them to execute the
r laws. i do not entertain a doubt but that
e Convention will submit, to the whole of the
r then bona tide settlers of Kansas, the deter
If mination for themselves, by an actual
a majority of the whole people, whether
st they shall adopt or reject that Constitu-
.e ton. Ifthey reject it, there is an end OF
that Convention. 1t has performed Its
al office. 1t has adjourned, never to meet
C. again. IA voIcE-Whst next What
D. next, YOU ask, gentlemen. There are
III two other very easy exits from the diff
lie Guilty, and as the question Is pTactlca
Sc one, propose to answer it. In OctoeeI
t. next, not under the act of the late Tern
torial Legislature, but under the laws o
to Congress, you, the whole people of Kan
IL sas. have a right to elect a delegate t.
sr- Congress, and to elect Territorial Legis
,m lature; and through that Legislature yo'
It can speak your views and instruct then
.r either to cali a new Convention to submit
lat a new Constitution for the consideration
an of the people, or you can instruct you
he delegate to Congress, chosen by major
ses ity of your own votes, to ask Congress
ce- pass law authorizing the people Of Kan
tn. sas to form State Constitution for them
put selves.
,RY It's quite certain, gentlemen, that in tn
hit, mode there Is, IN any event, peacelu
the tranquil, quiet exit from all the emba
lall rassments and difficulties by which yo
the are surrounded, and that the time is RAJ
leir idlv coming, if it has not already arrive
,ial when the rule of Justice and the peopl
shall prevail in Kansas. (Cheers.
asst, Then, gentlemen, what is the 9th
, as mode which is presented? You are -abo
his: to have assembled here at Topeka, ne
ion week. what is called the State Legisl
It'll ture; for they tell You that they are nc
ted about TO convene Legislature for t
not State of Kansas. Who elected that Leg
der lature. "a voice. ''The people" TIE pc
lose ple why the whole vote given for your
, of called constitution, as claimed by yol
2 Of selves. was but !, I,731, whereas there are NJ
ew registered over 10000 votes; as resldel
~ here on the 10Th of March last, exclusl
oDle of the thousands, omitted or who have
per- rived here since that date. The people!
heir Won mean to tell me that 1,731 votes CT
vLat stitutes the whole number of votes in
hall Territory of Kansas A voice II
sub was year and half ago." But sho'
ex- those 1,731 votes year and half
the impose constitution for all tiIne to co
.ther unon the present people of Kansas
the voice "Not against their WILL Sho
the constitution be submitted to their
con- for adoption, or not? Voice " e:
hjch That. gentlemen, is the great question
xt- far as they are concerned. But | nm
ution stand YOU claim to be a State now,
ction that your so called Legislature, chosen
A ii1le small number of votes, propose
week to enact laws TO be enforced IN h
, the sas. The miserable minority. eonstltU
Il bv not one-tenth of the present people
Gov Kansas, propose. in absolute denane
from the acts of Congress, and inopen rebeii
ry of mark YOU, gentlemen, not only against
1 last Territorial laws, but against the
6 the and Government of the United St
ION To TO assemble here. and, -represer
+he TAI people. impose this eonstltu
! such BY force upon the people oil hahs'as ,1 ~
% the enactment of laws. IA .oioo =,
= pro- are those 10000 voters that are not o. |.
,otii,ag record ?',l Some inadFertantiy oini
: tr;r many who would not register, and !
,,ot be sands who arrived since the 10Th OF d
~ last. AS regards the register, howe'
views saT 10 YOU that lt l. OF coihia aIdsiN %
iction. tie consequence, if the constltutio
II the the submitted to the whole people.
actual It NAV suit the purposes ot 1actl'
: oI.c- osl[ such questions BY those who re
! the to tar register. but the substantive fact IS
he re-. the constitution can be OF no
al or effect unless it is submitted
n that vote of the people, and If 1t Is 50 su
.annre- s m ted it is for them to declare whet,sel
,sif nj the viii adopt it or not. But here c; co
iutv TO BODY of men actingi IN defiance OF ia
Ie Ex- of Congress, and in open rebellion :
.o-,. - % of the government of the United
81 si,anle representing, according to their own
,a,,laof ment. less than one-tenth OF the
! / .lat of Kansas, who, come forward al
az ss imust that the people next fin shall moi
;s.t =. this question. That neither you,
ssnsas nor any of our fellow-eitizens else
,er they throughout the Territory shall ha'
fAp- right to determine whether We So
cep. the nsw constitution. OF reject