The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1857-1858, 1857-07-29
THE KANSAS TROUBLES.
WALKERS pEsoCfAMATlOS.
L 4. 'Grt,a ~ sn Ii, d nut.


I have learned that u considerable number OF
the citizens OF Lawrence in this Territory. have
ADOPTED, as they claim, by popular vote, a
charter tor their local government. 4 copy oil
that charter has been placed in my hands; upon
comparing which with that granted by tie Ter.
titoriai h-Ti-Iatnre, last winter, ind that they
differ intentionally in many essential particu-
lars. The new charter, then, is set up. not only
without any authority of law, hut in direct and
open defiance OF an act of the Territorial Legs-
lature on the same subject.
On this point your committee, whose views
have been adopted by you, make the following
statement
"Under ordinary circumstances the more reg.
ular method OF proceeding would be TO obtain a
charter from the Territorial authorities A he
Territorial government however, in no sense
represents the people OF Kansas, was not elect
ed by them, and can have no right TO legisate
for them we cannot accept charter at hs
hands. And, as the State government has not,
as vet, deemed it advisable TO proceed to the or
ganization o. local and municipal goyernme rs,
| we cannot obtain charter IRON II. IHcre Is
| therefore left us only the alternative OF char.
ter springing directly from the people, or con-
tinuance in our present unorgauized coalition.
| "Under these circumstances, yon haze seen
| fit to instruct us to present a charter, hayin-
1
4 blase, and now propose TO submit it 10 full
vote of the people for approval or rele.u .uon."
l, will be perceived that the authority OF the
Territorial Government is here dIstinctiy denied,
and whilst that o. the so-called State Govern
ment is Acknowledged, IL is conceded that no
charter has been granted by them. Indeed, II il
| o fact that although this so.caied State Govern
ment has in ITSELF no legal existence or author
ity, vet you asked and failed 10 receive char
ter hom them.
Under these circumstances, you have pro
&C ded TO establish government Tor the cty OF
Lawrence, in direct defiance ct the Territorial
4 government, and denying its eNistence or an
thority. You have granted TO this city govern
mcnt the authority elect a Mayor ana Board
Of. Aldernen, City Assessor, Treasurer, Justices
OF the Peace, City Marshal, &c. fon have
granted to the Mayor and Aldermen most gxtcn.
sive powers, including the rightto levy Had col
lect taxes upon real and personal proper.s With
IN the limits Of the city, whether belonging tt
residents or non residents, and all the Other
powers incident to cty government.
You have imposed upon all these officers tn,
duty OF taking an oath TO support this socailet
State Constitution, Thus distinctly superseding
SO tar as in your power, the Territorial Govern
ment created by the Congress of the Initet
, States. You have caused these proceedings &
, be printed in handbill form, and have d!stribu
ted them, ms am informed througaout the Ter
ritory, with the view to inN.te rhe~other cities
| towns and counties of Kansas to establish in
suIrec,ionary governments, thereby placing ID
people OF this Territory, 30 iar as in your po"el
in oren conflict with the Government OF th
United States.
TIE most considerable portion Of your par,
e having induced your Topeka Legislature 10 el
e act ,hc laws urged by you, creating mGniep
\ haya pyp N
. authority, Which you profess TO acALowiedg
proceeded 10 create such a government Il
Lawrence, and are now urging other localities
pursue a similar course. ionr evident pnfpo
. is thus TO involve the whole Territory la insa
rection, and TO renew the scenes OF bl0odsh'
and civil war Upon you, then, must rest q
gull, and responsibility Of this contemplated re
, oluton. You win be justly charseable in Ia
Of and conscience with all the blood that may
r. she'd in this ccntest, and upon you must fall .
ht punishment.
n. You have elected your officers under u
he charter. and instructed them to enter upon I
s. Immediate discharge Of their duties, includi
the adoption of ordinances and the execu'i
an thereof under an authority having IN Itself
be legal existence, and established IN direct dc
MS an,e OF the Government OF the United States
he From all these facts, il Is obvious il you
permitted TO proceed, and especially II your
ample should be followed as urged by YOU
other places, that for all practical purposes
many important particulars, the Territo'
government will be overthrown. The chart
granted hy that government Tor similar pnf!
- ses will be disregarded, and the Justices Of
10. peace, and other officers acting under their
:" tho its, will be brought necessarily INTO com
and collision with the so called officers claim
10 act under different authesity.
The Territory will thus be involved in inc,
cable confusion and litigation; the value Of J
oy. property be greatly deprecated, your I'll
Of iran .ters, transactions and contracts will
de- sutl tctcd to endless and costly disputes, an,
Oc- will suffer IRON this insurrection, except
the lawyers who have stimulated this NOV enen
red A government founded on insurreetion and u
ah. patton will be substituted Tor that establi'
the by the authority Of Congress, aud civil war
in. be renewed throughout, our limits. II your
ure. lhority TO act ii this manner Tor the CT
70 Lawrence IL permitted, similar authority
be acknowledged in every ether town. cit