Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-12-16

nd have otherwise been treated by the au- I
horities in an insulting and arbitrary manner,
which requires redress. ~
A demand for these purposes will be made /
IN firm but conciliatory spirit. This will the /
more probably be granted if the Executive
shall have authority to use other means in the /
event of a refusal. This is accordingly re-
THE KANSAS QUESTION.
1t is unnecessary to state In detail the alarming
condition of the Territory of Kansas at the time OF
myiuauguration The opposing parties then stood
in hostile array against each other and any aceI-
dent might have relighte1 the flames OF civil war
Besides at this critical moment kansas was ieit
without Governor by the resignation OF Gov
Geary. E.-r FFsr
onithe I9th February previous the territorial le
pislature had passed law providing for the elcc-
fion Of delegates on the third Monday OF June to
a convention TO meet on the first Monday of sep
tember for the purpose OF framing constitution
preparatory TO admission into the Union rms
law was in the main fair and just and IT Is to be
regretted that all the qualified electors had notre-
istered themselves and voted under its ProyisIons
At the time of the election for delegates an ex-
tensive organization existed in the nose
ayowed object was. If need be- TO put down the
lawful government by force and TO establish 4
government Of their own under the so eailed 70
peka constitution. The persons attached 90 TINS
revolutionary organization abStalned from liA-Hs
any part in the election
The act of the territorial legislature had omit
ted to provide for submitting to the people the con-
stitution which might be framed by that conFen-
tion: and in the excited state of public feeling
throughout Kansas apprehension extensive
" prevailed that design existed to force up
them constitution in relation to slavery against
their Will In this emergency IL hecsilne my
rs il was nv UnuueStionabe right having IN view
the union of ali good citizens in support OF the
territorial laws TO express opinion on the true
construction of the provisions concerning slavery
contained in the organic act of COugTfssof the 5Uth
May. 1854. Congress declared Ii 10 be 'the true
intent and meaning of this act not 70 egIsiate sla
very into any Territory or State, nor TO exciu1e Il
therefrorn but to leave the people thereof perfect
Iy free to form and regulate their domestic instiu
tions in their own Say.-' Uuder it Kansas. when
admitted as State - was to .be received into the
Union. with or without slavery as their constltu
ton may prescribe at the time OF their admission
Did Congress mean by this language that the del
egates elected 10 frame constitution should nave
authority finally decide the question of slavery.
or di they intend by leaving it TO the people that
the people of Kansas themselves should decide TINS
question by a direct vote On this SUBJECT con
fess had never serious doubt and. therefore IN
nv instructions TO Governor Walker Of the 18th
March last, I merely said that when "a constItu-
ton shall be submitted to the People OF the Terri
tory they be protected in the exercise OF their
right of voting for against that instrument and
the fair expression OF the popular viii must not be
interrupted by fraud or violence.
In expressing this opinion, it was far from my
intention to interfere with the decision OF the peO
pie of Kansas, either for or against slavery From
this have always carefully abstaIned. IutTuSted
with the duty OF taking care that me laws DC
faithfully executed, my only desire was that the
people of Kansas should furnish Congress the evil
deEcc required by the organic act whether for or
against slavery and in this manner smooth their
passage into the Union. In emerging from their
condition of territorial dependence into that OF Il
sovereign State, it was their duty, in my opinion
make known their viii by the votes OF naJo :
itT, on the direct question whether TINS important
domestic institution should should not continue
10 exist Indeed this the only possible mode in
which their will could be authentcally ascertaned
l. n1a rzT1-TF mn =
necessarily take place in sepeTate districts Prom
this may readily happen, As has often been
the case. that the majority OF the people of State
or Territory on one side OF Il question, whilst
majority of the representatives from the several
districts into which it was divided may be upon
the other side. This arises from the fact that IN
some districts delegates may be elected by small
najOrities, whilst in others those Of different SEN
tiInents may receive majorities sufficiently great
only 10 the votes given for the former
5Gt 70 leave large majority OF the whole people
In direct opposition TO majority Of the delegates
Besides our history proves that influences may be
brought to bear or the representative sufficiently
powerful to induce him disregard the viii Of his
constituents The truth Is that other authen
and satisfactory mode exists of ascertaining the
will of majority Of the people Of any state or
Territory on an important and exciting question
like that OF slavery in Kansas except by leaving
IL direct vote How wise then was II for on
ress to pass all subordinate and intermediatc
agencies, and proceed directly to the Of al
legitimate power under our institutions
How vain would any other principle prove 1T
practice! This nav be illustrated by the case o
Kansas Should she be admitted into the Union
with constitution maintaining abolishing slav
cry, against the sentiment Of the people, thI:
could have other effect than 70 continue and Il
exasperate the existing agitation during the brie
period required to make the constitution conform
10 the irresistible viii of the majority
The friends and supporters of the Nebraska anc
Kansas act when struggling on a recent occasion
to sustain its wise provisions before the great tri
bunal of the American people, never differed a
bout its true meaning on this subject. Every
where thTOu ghout the Union they publicly plelg
ed their faith and their honor. that they would
cheerfuIy submit the question of slavery to thC
decision Of the bona ffe people Of Kansas with
out any restriction qualification whatever. Al
were cordially united upon the great doctrine o
popular sovereignty, which is the vital principle
Of our free Institutions. Had Ii then been insin
uated from any quarter that it would be suffi
cient compliance with the acquisitions Of the or
ranic Law for the mem bers of n convention here
after 10 be elected to withhold the question 0
slavery from the people. and TO substitute thei
will for that of a legally ascertained majorit,
of all their constituents this would have been in
stanty rejected Everywhere they remained tru
10 the resolution adopted on celebrated occasion
recognizing ,'the right of the people Of all tn
Notwithstanding Kansas and Nebraska-act
ing through the legally and fairly expressed vii
Of majority OF actual residents, and wheneve
the number of their inhabitants justifesit to form
constitution, with or without slavery and be ad
Initted into the Union upon terms of perfect ual
iiy with the other States.''
The convention TO frame constitution for Kan
sas met on tle 1rst Monday Of September last
They were called together by virtue of an act o
the territorial legislature, whose lawful exisenc
had been recognized by Congress in different form
and by different enactments. y large proportion
of the citizens of Kansas did not think proper L
register their aud to at the ELECTION 70
delegates; but an opportunity to do this havin
been fairly afforded, their refusal TO avail them
selves of their right could in no manner affect III
legality of the convention.
This convention proceeded to frame a constitu
ton for Kansas and finally adjourned on the 1t
Of
the convention, except on the subject of slavery
The