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

CONSTITUTION On tAein, pS s1AtSPAAio WV
of laws for am told that they have ac-
tually code of laws prepared by their
various committees, cut and dried, TO put IN
operation as soon as they meet, binding
the whole people of the Territory, and
depriying them of the right to decide on
their own form of government and 10
adopt their own constitution.
Now. then. repeat, that come here
for the purpose of restoring and perpetual
ting peace; but tell YOU candidly that
ny Instructions and my oath of office re-
orire me to put down the execution OF
such laws. and for the good Of the people
of Kansas, they must and will be put
down. [Cries of ';never, never" A
voire-"Do not the people of the United
States say that those laws are right %
The reople of the United States have just
elected a President who declares that such
laws would be unconstitutional, null and
void "a voice-''Who cares ?"l Nay
more the people of the United States
have iust elected majority to Congress
who entertain the same opinion with MN.
This is matter involving the peace, nap
piness and prosperity of the whole people.
Your towns will advance in Importance
and wealth, your claims will increase IN
value. harmony and goodwill will reign
throughout the Territory, If the people
who are now here, and who will be here
in November or December next, will only
decide for themselves what shall be their
own form of government, and their own
social institutions. But what IS 1t TINS
Legislature proposes to do Without the
slightest necessity, without the slightest
pretext or apology under the mode of ad-
iustment now proposed; Ispeak not now
as regards the past | wish to God that
Won. and /, and all of us, could rub out the
mast. "a voice "It cannot be dOne;;''
another voice, Grub out the bogus laws. y
Rub them out, gentlemen, if you please,
bv vote of the people. A voice-"We
cannot get that."] You can get that A
yoice-aGive us a fair vote at the next
electon."1 You will get that. At the
next election in October when you elect
the Territorial Legislature you can repeal
those laws, and you can then, also, by
majority of your own votes, adopt or re-
iect the constitution presented for your
consideration next Fall. Now, what, l
ask again, is proposed to be done by this
Legislature? 1t is proposed to put IN
operation q body of laws. But you must
remember. the passage of laws is no farce,
; 1T is not humbug.- AvOlee-"t has
been here."1 A law is a command; II
! exacts obedience from the whole people
! and is to be actually put in force IN th'
, Territory. What is the consequence =
Why YOU thus produce an absolute, clear
direct and positive collision between tha
r Legislature and the government OF TIT
United States. There are two sets o
E laws then to govern you.. Every man.
contract. every mans title, every man
, nossession will then be involved In ditfi
emily. and in the course of three or fou
!, months YOU will have large importation
n of lawyers. A voice-"We have plent,
: of them now,'-laughter.l 1t will in
= yolye YOU in endless litigation from whicl
r. there will be no possible extricatior
Now. gentlemen, is there any necessit,
q for this. A voice-''None; not a bi
:, there never was." Can you not peace
fully decide this question in the mod
pointed out by the act of Congress, II,
i Won can and will have, fair and full u
! nortunity of recording your vote.
r voice-"Why have we not had 1t !:
N Gentlemen, was not Governor OF hans'
n and Mr.. Buchanan was not President OF tn
i United States. A voice-"'How are we
. oct it?.l You will get it by the Conventio
Submitting the Constitution 1.-THE vote
er the whole people. a yoiee-'Who
~ to elect the Convention ? That is tt
~ grand question ?''1 Gentlemen, it is con
a. paratiyely small point by whom the Col
w stitutidn is to be submitted. Don't let
ba rim avay after shadows. Do not retu
Is to register and then say you can't vot
o. The great substantial point is this: w
so the whole people of Kansas next Fall,
,r- fair election, impartially and fairly co
NV Quoted by impartial judges, have an o
,ts uoftuuitv TO decide for themselves WI
We Shall be their form of government a
orr what shall be their social institutions
Do say they will, but go step farther
,ne yoiee-"Have you got the power -
he / lrave not the power to bring it abou
hot If the Convention will not do it, | "
nd ioin YOU in lawful opposition to their P
,go ceedings. Cries of good good
me voice-'N-e will hold you to your pro
IA ise, Another voice-"How are We
Md vote for this here Convention :? Anot
vill yoice-aNothing can be asked fairer Il
~ What he savs.nl Well, gentlemen, D.
! 20 no mower 10 repeal the laws that b
ler- becn uassed in reference TO the Cony
and flor. and if those laws have not been ia
bv executed it is simply no fault OF mine
,ayt IA veice-"Has not James Bueha
an. nower to repeal these laws T'--Anot
ting yoice-'.Hasn't he sanctioned them
! Of He has had nothing to do with them !;
e of the Congress of the United States
ion. authorized the Territorial Legislator
the pass laws. The President of the On
laws States has taken an oath to carry the
Iates into effect, and it is for you, if YOU
,ting opposed to those laws, through the
,tion pies vote, to repeal them. A voi
? the 1--WE cannot get ut them."j There i
here the least difficulty. about yeur gettln
q the them. q voice-"keep out Mis-
tted and we will do well enough"
hou- gentlemen, pledge myself to you
Iarch so far as my power is coneerned-a
yer. / do not doubt thai you are net IN any
= lit TO have rc-enacted here the scenes G
n be past-but so far as my power Is cones
/ IIcdge mvseIf that the people OF
m TO sas. and of Kansas alone. and no
fused people of Missouri or of Massachuse
that of any other State shall interfere ev'
force one single vote to decide for the peo
= the Ksnsas what shall be their institution
limit voice ..Thst is my doctrine. ."-eF
tbey ..Good, geod.-l But, gentlemen,
mes shall decide it for themselves.
: laws these views of mine are not carrie
gainst effect, when you see that you vi
States. have a full and fair opportunity to
state. for yourselves what shall be your fo
Deople government and your social instatut
q saw will then be time enough to eompl
decide me, and not till then. lSeyeral VIC
nor !. ssThat is right Another voice
.where about the bogus laws And nov
,e the am asked what about the bogus
all &C. Why, your very Governor, Mr. 10
Il has acknowledged those bogus Il