Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-12-12

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plain construction Of the sentence the words domestic
institutions bave direct, as they have appropriate,
reference to slavery Domestic institutions are limited
the family The relation between master and slave and
few others are domestic Institutions and entirely
distinct from institutions Of political character Besides.
there question then before Congress- indeed hes
there since been serious question before the people Of
Kansas or the country except that which relates to the
domestic institution OF slavery.
The convention, after angry and excited debate final
y determined by majority Of only two to submit the
question of slavery the people, though the last forty
three of the fifty delegates present affixed their signatures
| to the constitution.
large majority of the convention were in favor of es-
tablshng slavery in Kansas. They accordingly inserted
article in ;he constitution for this purpose smnr in
form to those which had been adopted by other territorial
conventions. In the schedule however, providing for the
transition from territorial to State government the
question has been fairly and explicitly referred to the peo
pie whether they viii have constitution with or with
out slavery. II declares that before the constitution
adopted by the convention shall be Congress for
admission into the Union as State AN election shall be
aeld 10 decide this question: at which all tly white male
inhabitants of the Territory above the age of twent
are entitled to vote. They TO vote by ballot; and "the
ballots east at salt! election shall be Endorsed constitution
with slavery and constitution with slavery" If
there be majority in favor OF the constitution with sl
very then it's to be transmitted Congress by the pres
dent of the convention in its original form It. the
trry, there shall be majority in favor of the constu
ron WIN no slavery then the article providing for sla
shall be stricken from the constitution by the presi
dent Of this convention and is expressly declared that
no slavery shall the State OF Kansas except that
the right Of property in slaves the Territory shall
manner be nterered with; and in that event is
made his duty to have the constitution thus ratified trans
VI
| sion of the State into the Union.
At this election every citizen will have opportunity
of expressing his opinion By his "whether Kansas
shall be received into the Union with without slavery
and thus this exciting question be peacefully settled
in the very mode required by the organic law The cleo
tion will be held under legitimate authority and il any
portion Of the inhabitants shall refuse to vote fair oppor
tuny to do so having been presented, this will be their
own voluntary act and they alone will be responsible for
Whether Kansas shall be a free or a slave State must
eventually under some authority be decided by an cleo
les D move hp nrp plp1Il
nc'y presented to the people than it is at the present
nent Should this opportunity be rejected she be in
voved for in domestic dscofd and possibly in civil
before she can again make mp the issue fortunately
rendered and again reach the point she has already attained
knss has Tor occupied too much of the pub
lie attention II is high time this should be directed far
more important objects When admitted into the I'm
ION, whether with or without slavery the excitement be-
yond her own limits will speedily pass "ay, and she will
then for the first time be left She ought to have been
long since to manage her own Affairs in her way |:
her constitution IN tire subject Of slavery on any other
subject be diSpeasng to majority of the people, hui
man power can prevent them from changing it within
brief period. Under these circumstances may well be
questioned whether the peace and quiet of the whole
try not of greater i'm poance Than the temporary
triumph Of either of the political parties in Kansas
Should the constitution without slavery be adopted BY
the votes OF the majority the rights of property in slaves
now in the Territory are reserved The number of hees
very small but II 1t greater the provision would be
equally Just and reasonable These slaves were brought
into the Territory under the Constitution of the United
point has at length been finally decided by the highest u
dcal tribunal OF the country this upon the plain prn
new territory at their joint expense both equality and JUS
tce demand that Il citizens OF and all of them shall
nave rgn 10 "ke mo II whasoeVerIs recognised as pro-
perry by The common constitution. To have summarily
c0ntscaed the property in slaves already in the Territory
would have been an act of injustice and contrary to
the practice of the older States of the Union which have
TlIE MORMON QUESTION
territorial government established for Utah bv
of Congress, approved the 9th September 1880 and the
Cons ltrton and laws of the United States thereby
extended it $50 far as the same or any provisions
thereof be nnpliCablp" This prOyiirl the
poinmcnt by the President by and with the advice and
consent OF the Senate, of Governor who was TO be er
cto superintendent of Indian affairs, secretary, three
Judges oil the supreme court marshal and district at
toney Subsequent acts provided for the appointment of
system over the Territory. Brigham Young appoint
ed the first Governor the 10th September 1850 and has
held the office since. Whilst Governor Young has
been both Governor and superintendent of Indian affairs
throughout thus period he has been at the time the
head of the church called the Latter Day Saints and pro-
csSes tn its members and dispose of their property
By direct inspiration and authority from the Almighty
His power has BEEN therefore, absolute bh Church
aud State
The people of Utah. almost exclusively, belong this
church and believing with ana'ica spirit that he gov
of the Territory by divine appointment they obey
his commands as if these direct revelations from hea-
II, therefore, he chooses that his government shall
come into collision with the government of the United
States the members Of the Mormon church will yield i'm
pict obedience to his will Unfortunately, existing facts
leave but little doubt that such his determination With
out entering upon minute history 0foccurerces it is sut
cen To say that all the officers the United States judicial
and executive, with the single exception OF two Indian
~ To withdraw from the Territory and there longer
mains any government in Utah but the desposm Of Brig
ham Young This being the condition Of affairs in the
Territory could not mistake the path of duty As Chief
Executive Magistrate was bound to restore the supreme
cy of the Constitution and its laws within its limits In
order to effect this purpose appointed new Governor
and other federal officers for Utah. and sent with them
military force for their protection, and to aid Posse
cOnitltus, in OF need in the execution of the laws
With the religious opinions of the MOmons, so long
they remained mere opinions however dcporablc in them
selves or revolving 10 the moral and religious sentiments Of
all ChriStendum had right to interfere Actions
when in violation Of the Constitution and laws Of the Uni
ted States become the legitimate subjects for the urisdc
ton of the civil magistrate Ny instructions Governor
Cummings have therefore been framed in strict accordance
with these principles At their date hore nduIged
that no necessity might exist for employing he military in
restoring and maintaining the authority Of the law but
this hope has vanished Governor Young has by pro-
clamalon, declared his determination to maintain his pow
er by force and has already committed of hostility
against the United States. Unless he should his
steps the Territory of Uraw be state open rebellion
lie has committed these acts OF hostility, notwithstanding
Major Van Vet officer of the army, to Utah by
the commanding general to purchase provisions for the
troops had gwen him the strongest assurances of the
fu intentions othe Government and tina, the Troops would
only be employed us posse conat"s when called by
the civil authority to aid in the execution of the laws.
There is To believe that Governor Young has long
contemplated this result lie knows that the continuance
Of his dcspuc power depends upon the exclusion all set
tier rom the Territory except those who will acknowledge
his diylne mission and implicitly obey his will and that
institutions at with the laws both of God and man,
He has therefore, for several years in order maintain
his Independence been ndusiriously employed in collect
ing aud fabrcatng and munitions Of war and in dis.
cpning the MormOns for military service As superin
tendent of Indian affairs he has had opportunity of
tampering with the Indian tribes and exciting their hostile
feelings against the United States This according to our
information he has accomplished in regard to of these
tribes while others have remained their allegiance
and have communicated his ntrigUes Indian agents
lie has laid in store OF provisions for three years which,
in of necessity he Informed Major Van Vliet he
will conceal land then lake the MOUNTAINS and bid de.
iance to all the powers of the Government"
great part Of all this may be idle boastng but yet
wise Government will lightly estimate the Efforts which
be inspired by such rcnGed fanacsm exists among
the Mormos in Utah This is the fl rebellion which has
existed in Territories and humanity itself requires
that should put down in such that il shall
be the last. To tre with would be encourage aud
to render il formidable We ought to 60 there with such
imposing force to convince these deudcd people thai
resistance would be vain and thus spare the eson Of