Freeman's champion., 1857-06-25


Territorial law here recognized by the
people as such, the Executive func-
tion is mockery. Your first con-
sideration is the necessities of the
people, but beyond that, it is your
duty to act with promptness so as to
relieve these Federal appointees of a
merely nominal duty, that must be
embarrassing and disrespectful to
them, while the unsettled state of af-
fairs conveys an impressive reproa III
to those Republican institutions. on
which all our hopes as q people
centre. .......,, a, &. "
In the inaugural to which ] have
referred, there is a recommendation
that our people forsake the Govern
ment they have adopted, and under
the management ofusurping pretend
ed officials do over again what has
been done. We do not think that
any serious or generally entertained
desire exists among our people to do
so; and while opinions from such a
source may he entitled to respect, it
is, at least, unfortunate that course
Of action in relation to a Constitution
should be pointed out in the official
address of Federal oppointee, who
in that very address urges the right
Of the people, and their right alone, to
take steps for StatsJGovernment.-
1t is clearly evident from the address
itself, that Gov. Walker has not been
sutficientlysconveysant with affairs in
Kanzas, to warrant the expression of
opinion on so grave matter. In
that document he assures us we shall
have everything over which his ex-
ecutive function has no control, and
refrains from expressing any opinion
on the only point, from which we
could entertain hopes of his action.
You are doubtless aware that the act
ing Territorial Governor, Stanton,
issued proclamation containing an
appointment Of representatives for a
Delegate Convention. That appor-
tionment leaves nearly one-half of
Kanzas without any representation,
and as no census has been taken
there by any one, they will of course
have no privilege of even voting.
Had there been no State Constitu-
tion in Kanzas Lad q fraudulent,
pretende ed Territorial Legislature
never originated the steps to which
this inaugural refers; had that action
come simply from the people, as it
legitimately should, there would still
have been the strongest reasons why
all good men should refrain from par
ticipating in an act so grossly fraud
ulent ard despotic as this pretended
census, and partial apportionment un-
der it. In any event such proceed
ings will inevitably fall to the ground
as lacking in that great essential, the
popular will, which alone could give
vitality.
Although that strange apportion-
ment which deliberately contemplates
DISTINGUISHING one-half of the people,
was issued week previous to the In
augural OF Gov. Walker, there was
not the slightest allusion to it in that
document. And yet, the evidence of
the fact was Of easy access to him,
and he was not Ignorant of it.
What does he mean when he says,
"The law has performed It's entire ap-
propriate function when it extends to
the people the right of suffrage ?"
Has it done SO? or is Gov. Walker
ignorant of the fact that it has not I?
lie adds, Throughout our whole
Union, however, AID wherever free
government prevails, those who ah-
stain from the exercise Of the right
of suffrage authorize those who do
vote to act for them in that contin-
gency, and the absentees are as much
bound under the law and the con-
stitution, sOheye there IS no fraud and
violence, by the act Of the majority
Of those who do vote, as though all
had participated in tho election"
Itwould be needless to tell you
that such position, however good,
is quite inapplicable to tho SO called
census law and all the proceedings
under it, IL originates in usurping
fraud, and every step in the process
has been u freud. 1t is not pro-
posed election to ascertain the wish
es Esbo people, but ioregone con-
clusion, every part Of which is care
fully framed to accomplish certain
result. But, il its applicability con-
not be found in these proceedings, let
me suggest 0&ere it can be applied
In the poceedings under which the
State Constitution was framed and
ratified all the actual voters had the
privilege of participating. Men OF
4 n