Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1857-12-19
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
ICoNCLUsIoN.l |

| slavery. From this L have always carelully
abstained. lntrusted 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 re-
quired 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 n sovereign State, it 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 to
exist. Indeed, this was the only possible
mode in which their will could be authenti-
cally ascertnned.
The election of delegates TO a convention
must necessarily take place in separate dis
tricts. From this cause it may readily hap
pen, rs has often been the case, that major
! ity Of the people Of State or Territory are on
one side OF question, whilst majority oil
the representatives from the several districts
into which it is divided may be upon the
other side. This arises from the fact that in
some districts delegates may he elected by
small majorities, whilst in others those Of
different sentiments may receive majorities
sufficiently great. not only to overcome the
votes given for the former. but to leave a
majority Of the whole people in direct opposi-
tion TO majority OF the delegates. Besides,
our history proves that influences may he
brought to bear on the representative suiii-
! ciently powerful to induce him to disregard
the will of his constituents. The truth is,
that ne other authentic and satisfactory mode
exists Of ascertaining the will Of majority Of
the people Of any State or Territory on an
important and exciting question iiko that Of
slavery in Kansas, except by leaving it to a
direct vote. How wise, then, was it for Con-
grcss to pass over all subordinate and inter-
mediate agencies, and proceed directly TO the
source of all legitimate power unGer our
Institutions.
How vain would any other principle prove
! in practice. This may be Illustrated by the
case Of Kansas. Should she be admitted
into the Union, with constitution either
maintaining or aboishiug slavery, against the
sentiment Of the people, this could have no
other effect than to continue and to eXaspe-
rate the exciting agitation during the orief
period required to make the constitution con-
form to the Irresistible will OF the majority.
The friendo and supporters Of tie Nebras-
ka ard hansas ect, when struggling on a
recent occasion TO eustain its wise provisions
before the great tribunal Of the American
people, never differed about its true meaning
on this subject. Everywhere throughout the
Union they publicly pledged their faith and
their honor, that they would cheerfully sub
nit the question OF slavery 10 the decision OF
the J0na ,tfde people of Kansas, without any
restriction or qualification whatever. All
we're cordially united upon the great doctrine
Of popular sovereignty, which is the vital
principle of our free institutions. Had it
then been insinuated from any quarter that
it would be sufficient compliance with the
uisit fnr ha pip la fnr ba
bers of q convention, thereafter to be elected,
to withhold the question of slavery from the
people, and TO substitute their own will for
that OF legally ascertained majority of oil
their constituents, this would have been
instantly rejected. Everywhere they re-
maned true to the resolution adopted on q
celebrated occasion recognising the right of
the people Of all the Territories including
X kausas and Misunderstanding through the
! legally and fairly expressed will Of a majority
! Of actual residents, and whenever the number
| of their inhabitants justies it. to form con
! stitution, with or without slavery, and be
admitted into the Union upon terms Of per-
feet equality with the other States.
The convention to frame a constitution for
Kansas met on the first Monday of Septem-
ber lcst.--They we're called together by
virtue Of en- act Of the territorial legislature,
+
by Congress in different forms and by differ
ent enactments. a large proportion of the
citizens of Kansas did not think proper to
register their names and to vote at the cleo
tion, for delegates but an opportunity to dc
this having been fairly afforded their refusal
to avail themselves OF their right could in nc
manner affect the legality Of the convention
This convention proceeded TO frame 0
constitution for Kansas; and finally adjourned
on the 7th day OF November. But little
difficulty occurred ia the convention, except
on the subject Of slavery.-The truth is that
the general provisions of our recent State
constitutions are so similar-aud, | may add
so excelient-that the difference between
them is not essential. Under the earlier
practice Of the Government, no constitution
framed by the convention of a Territory pre-
paratory to its admission into the Union as
State had been submitted to the people.
trust, however, the example set by the las
Congress, requiring that the Constitution o
, Minnesota should DO subject to the = pro
val and ratification Of the people Of the pro
posed State" may be followed on future occa
sons.-I took it for granted that the conver
g ton of Kansas would act in accordance wit
' this example, founded, as it is, on correC
S principles and hence my instructions t
d Gov. Walker, in favor of submitting the cor
e sttutiou to the people, were expressed
general and unqualified terms.
e In the Kansas Nebraska act, however, tn
20 requirement, as applicable to the whole col
stitution, had not been inserted and the co..
venton were not bound by its terms to su
- nit any other portion Of the instrument to 1
le election, except that which relates to Il
domestic institution" Of slavery. This W
be rendered clear by simple reference
its language. 1t was mot to legislate slave
lg into any Territory or State, nor to exclude
or therelrom, but TO leave the people there
ed perfectly free to form and regulate their d
be mestic institutions in their own way" A
n, cording TO the plain construction OF the sc
al tence, The words domestic institutions" ha
direct as they have an appropriate reieren
or to slavery. domestic institutions" Q
eI limited to the family. The relation betwe
nd master and slave and few others are "ins
tutions," and are entirely distinct from ins
tutions OF political character. Beait
there was no question then before the peol
Of Kansas or the country, except that viii
80 relates to the domestic institution" OF {
very.
The convention, after an angry and excit
~ debate, finally determined by majority
~. two, to submit the question OF slavery to