Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-12-08

gally and alrly expressed Will OF HaJoilty vi
residents and whenever the number OF then lnaDltas
iustifcs it, to form constitution with without slavery
and be admitted into the Union upon terms OF peIec1
t equality with the other States "
The convention to frame constitution for Kansas met
on the first Monday of September last They were calico
together by virtue of an act of the territorial Legislature
whose lawful existence had been recognised Wy Congress
in different forms and by different enactments laIee
proportion of the citizens of Kansas did not think proper
to register their and to vote at the election of
delegates but an opportunity to do this having been
fairly afforded their refusal to avail themselves OF their
right could in no manner affect the legality Of the con
vention.
This convention proceeded to frame constitution os
Kansas and finally adjourned on the 7th day oi NoVe
ber But little difficulty occurred in the convento eA
cept on the subject of slavery. The truth is hat inc
provisions of our recent State constitutions are so
simlar-and, may add, so cxcelent-that the diicf'
ence between them is not essential Under the carrier
practice of the government constitution frafneu py
tbe convention of Territory preparatory to its admissions
into the Union State had been submitted 10 the pco
pie trust however, the example set by the last Co
gress requiring that the constitution OF Munesous
"soud be subject to the approval and ratification "a the
peope of the proposed State may he followed on future
occasions took it for granted that the convention OF
Kansas would act in accordance with this example found
ed as it h. on correct principles and hence my IN
structions to Governor Walker in favor OF submitting
the constitution to the people, were expressed h Beera
and unqualified terms.
In the Kansas Nebraska act however this requirement,
as applicable the whole constitution had not been insert
ed and the convention were not bound bys terms 10 SUD
nit any other portion of the instrument to an eieco eA
cent that which relates TO The domestic institution of SIG
very This will be rendered clear by simple reference ~
it. language 1t was mot to legislate slavery into anyIer
rory or State nor to exclude il thereom but to leave
the people thereof perfectly free to form and regulate then
domestic institutions in their own way. According ~
the plain construction of the sentence, the words "hr
tic institutions have direct they have an aiIo;n-
ate reference TO slavery Domestic institutions are
limited to the family The relation between master aho
slave and few Others are domestic institutions ana
entirely distinct from institutions OF poillc c
r Besides there was question then before Congress
NOR indeed has there since been any serious peoe
the peotts Of Kansas the country except that winch
relates to the ';,on,cstiv institution OF slavery.
The convention after an angry ana eAcpeu ueSa.. S
finally determined by majority OF only two 70 submit
the question of slavery to the people Trough tne la
forty three Of the fifty delegates presett aned 'er s
natures to the constitution ee
4 large majority of the convention were III @'oi u
establishing slavery in Kansas. lhey accordingly
an article in the constitution for this purpose SINH
lar in form 10 those which had been adopted by other
territorial conventions In the schedule, however pro
vinp for the transition from territorial to state gov
ernnet the question has been fairly ana eAphciy TEE
red to the people, whether they will have consttuoii
nwh or without slavery It declares that pcfofe ue
constitution adopted by the convention shall De sent 10
Congress for admission into the Union ~ o1ate: al.
election shall be held to decide this question: NJ "h m
of 81 are entitled to vote They to vote by paho
and ''the ballots cast at said election shai pc
constitution with slavery, and constitution WIN o
slavery" If there be majority IN aVor oi INC con
ituton with slavery" then it is to be transmitted 10
Congress by the president of the convention IN Its
form If on the contrary there shall be majority III
I fsyur the .too-etituton with no ''aVery - LIE
article providing for slavery shall be strcRe1i Iro M
constitution by the president Of this convention and 1t
Ia gysressly declared that no slavery shall exist III the
state of Kansas except that the right OF property IN slaves
nowi the Territory shall in no manner DC m'erleeo
with and in that event made his duty 10 nave c
constitution thus ratified traIisnittea 10 INC ~
the United States Tor the adIiisSiol Vi '"0 ' ' "
Union. 90 ~ .;.
At tb election every citizen will have an opportunity
Of expressing his opinion by his vote whether hanses
shall be received into the Union with or WITHOUT
and thus this exciting question may be peacey se.eu
in the very mode reqGyed by the organic law Inc eiec
tion viii be held under legitimate authority and IL any
tion of the inhabitants shall refuse to vete iar o
portunty to do so having been preseG'sdw w ts m VIII
their own voluntary act, ana they "lohc WIZ ~
| bic for the consequences. c. ,,,,t
i Whether Kansas shall be free or slave State Hi'''
eventually under some authority be decided ny an eiec
ton and the question cn never be more ciears ol uo
tinctly presented to the people than II Is u. ,no
moment Should this opportunity he rejected se may
ho in yoyed for years in domestic dscor ana possibly III
civil war before she again make up inc issue NJ" 60
fs matcv te:dered and again reach the poln' S'' "'
already attained. ;ed too mucb of the
kansa
rul attention 1t is high time this shoCW oe aeet @
i r. far more important objects. When ono" '''
into tbe Union. whether with or without slavery, tie eA
element beyond her limits Will speediy pas a"s
aid she will then for the first time pc iell, 's @ Sa
i To have been long since to manage her own anis ~ "
w, av If her constitution the subject OF sia.ei|
or ON any other subject, be dsleaslng to n,ois ~ ~,
1.-The PEOPLE, no human power can pfe'eh. 'ile> -, -
changing il within brief period onder ieSe chouN
tnrcs Il NAV we'll be questioned whether the peace ana
ou;nt of the whole country not OF greater Important
than the mere temporary triumph of either OIL 'c Po
cal parties in Kansas. ,,.d h
Should the constitution without slavery ~ auoP'Iu ~
te votes of the majority the rights OF properly III scs
NOW in fine Territory are reserved. The number OF ueSo
Is very small but if it greater the provision WOW"
be e1ualy lust and reasonable. These slaves were
brought into the Territory under the constitution OF 'c
United States, and are now the properly 9l ,Iell :
This point has at length been finally decided by the h9h
cst iudical tribunal of the countryand this upon the
plain principle that when confederacy OF sovereign
States acquire new territory at their joint expense both
eouaty and Justice demand that the citizens OF one ana
ali of them shall have the right to take into whaso
ever is recognised as property by the common conSt
t;on To have sunmarily confscated the property III
aycs already in the Territory, would have been an act
gross Injustice and contrary to the practice OF the olaef
! States of the Union which have abolished slavery
i.rrtor;al government was established for Utah by
t f Congress approved the 9th September, 1850, and
the constitution and laws of the united ntates were
thereby extended over it $50 far as the same, or any pro
visions thereof may be applcapie, Ini' "S pr pr, ,
for the appointment by the President by and witt with the
advice and consent of the Senate OF governor VINO was
10 bc cxoicio superintendent OF Indian afaiis Sece
sry three Judges Of the supreme court marshal and
district attorney Subsequent acts provided for the ap
unntment of the officers necessary to extend our land
and our Indian system over the Territory Brigham
Young was appointed the first governor on the Zon sep
thr Is50 and has held the Office since. Whilst
Governor Young has been both governor and superin-
oncnt Of Indian affairs throughout this period, he has
bcn at the same time the head of the church called the
ay Saints and processes to govern Its members