The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1857-11-28
Power in the People.

Power in the People.
The following we copy from the second
action of the Billof Rights ofthe bastard
Constitution -
All political power is inherent in
bs people, and all free governments are
bundled on their authority, and instituted
ior their benefit, and therefore they have
.. all times an inalienable and indefeasi-
Ne right to alter, reform, or abolish their
arm of government in such manner as
hey may think proper.
This principle of self-government was
% apparent to these usurpers, that they
Inserted it in the Bill of Rights, and yet
they deny to the people voice in max
ng that instrument.
Their provision that the people have
&. all times an inalienable right to alter,
reform, or abolish their form of Govern
ment," will be embodied, and carried out
practically at the very inception of their
attempted government. How the vii
lains supposed they could enforce Con-
stitution upon the people of Kansas against
their consent, when they could not en-
force their Territorial laws, backed up by
Federal officers and Federal bayonets, is
more than we can understand. Remove
the Federal officers from this Territory
md as they have no law, State or Terri
toral, to protect them, the people will
hurl them from power the moment they
assurne to act officially.
We said they had no law to. protect
themselves. We may add that the peo-
PIE have law, framed by these conspira-
prs when they had the Territorial Gov
nent in their hands, which will protect
tie people, to the fullest extent. We
quote from an act of February 18th, 1857
iound on the 80th page of the laws of the
lastsessionof the Legislature, entitled San
Et to punish rebellion" We approved
ofthat law when passed. and said that il
would never be enfo reed, only for the
punishment of the authors of it, and that
We could desire no better law upon the
statute books. 1t reads as follows -
SECTION l. 1.-two or more persons shall
combine by force to usurp the government
Of this Territory, or to oyerrun the same
OTTO interfere forcibIy with the admins
ton of the government or any depart.
ment thereof, evidenced by forcible at.
tempt within this Territory to accom-.
plish such purpose, the person so offend.
ing shall be deemed guilty of rebellion
aud on conviction shall suffer death, OF
confinement at hard labor.
SEC. .. Ii twelve or more persons shall
combine to levy war against any part Of
the people of this Territory, they shall
be deemed guilty of rebellion, and OF
conviction shall suffer death, or confne-
ment and hard labor.
SEC. D. Ii two or more persons shall
combine to remove forcibly out of thi.
Territory or from their habitations any o.
the people of this Territory, evidenced BY
the taking arms and assembling t.
accomplish such purpose, they shall bt
guilty of rebellion, and punished as in TIT
last section of this act.
SEC. 4. Confinement and hard labor
as provided in this act, shall not exceed
twenty years.
This act TO take effect and be in fore,
from and after its passage.
The trainers of that Constitution hav
combined and expect to use force to "usu,I
me government of this Territory" TIL
moment they do 50 they are guilty of re
oellion, the penalty of which is death O
hard labor. The first should be inflictet
ey the people without waiting the SLOW
process of law, or the interference of fed
eral writs, or reprieves, or pardons.
Fit is thought ad visable to remove an
PERSONS from any assumed Office it vii
not be crime under the Sd section, t
transfer them to the region of the Rock
Mountains, because it is not ''out of thi
Territory" 81
Who can desire better code of law
than Missouri Representatives have ador
ted in Kansas for our benefit? The
seemed to think we were not capable {
leslslating for our own protection, so the
have made code unequalled in the bal
OoFous ages in severity, iaHocentiy suppo;
nS they would have the enforcement
IL but power has fallen from them, an
passed into the hands of those they woul
snslavei While we would urge modera
hon, yet we have Bible example, in tn
case of Hannah, for hanging the scour
dFels who have sought to work our injur,
and we should profit by ii, and see til:
'aOSe villains, guilty of SO many and V,
ned crimes, get their full deserts.