The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1857-12-16
KANSAS.
KANSAS.
We nnhlish a letter from q correspon-


dent in Kansas to show the intensely ex-
cited feeling that prevails in the Terri c.
tory. It is evident to US that as sure as II
any attempt shall be made to impose the Il
Lecompton Constitution upon the peo-
pie, it will end in bloody drama, and
every one engaged in. the effort will per-
ish. TIE population is wrought up to a
state Of evaporation that will brook no
new attempt at wrong and tyranny. The
Territorial Legislature assembled. in
compliance with acting Governor STAN
TON, on the 7th inst. They organized
on the 9th by the election Of full set OF
officers-all OF the most decided free
State party. On the same day Governor
STANTON communicated his message, in
which ne says, he has from a sense Of
duty called them together, that "thcy |
may adopt prompt legislative measures
to avert the calamities which imminent
ly threaten the public peace. l have
reason tie know, that recent events have
produced profound agitation Of the pub
lie mind, and that sense Of wrong and
injustice. whether well or i'll founded,
AMI an apprehension Of greater evils to
arise therefrom, have aroused the people
of the Territory to condition Of dan
gerous excitement. The proceedings Of
the late Constitutional Convention are
the immediate cause Of this trouble and
alarm"
lie details the circumstances which
have led to the unfortunate condition Of
affairs in the Territory, and is Of the
opinion that the refusal Of large ma
jority Of the people to vote for the mem
bers Of the Constitutional Convention il
the chief cause Of the present troubles
BY that omission. the Convention wa:
elected by less than one tenth Of the lie
gal voters Of the Territory, and mel
with sentiments and views obnoxious L
large majority Of the people were EN-
powered, under the forms Of law, 4
frame Constitution, which, knowing
to be repugnant to the convictions Of tn
people, they are attempting to impose
upon the Territory. by the most unwaI
rantable measures. He adds the follow
ing uncontrovert bic truths:
The fundamental paincple Of popular sell
90 eminent, and especially of that "republ
Il.
tees To every member of the Confederate
ex ;ludes the possibili y of the delegation
transfer of sovereignty, by the people, to an
authority whatever. la its very nature, tn;
sovereignty which erccts governments an
endows them with their legitimate power
can be exercised only br the people then
selves. Is incapable of alienation, and
a. inseperably inherent to the body of Il
people a. are personal identity and ind
pen.ent will. in each individual.
In Its esSenti.l character, wi Ell about
frame State Government. the sovereign
OF the people of u Territory is identical wi,
that of 9he people Ola State. IL must niece
sarily be equally us penary and indeper
dent ;othcrwise, the new State would n
stand upon an equality with the old one
Perfect equality OF all the Con sederacy is Il
very basis OF the Federal Constitution.
Ii il true that n Territory cannot become
State of the U-ion without the consent
OF Congress-, does not imply the power
dictate institutions to the people of the TIE
ritory. or in any way to restrain, or limit.
force their sovereignty i'll the exercise of
high junction OF framing its own State Go
eminent. The on rghtful power viii,
Congress has in the premises Is, TO determ
when the new community is sufficiently IN
ture to ASSUME an independent governmer
and to recognize the identity OF the people
their new io6m OF u State.
That clause OF the constitution guarantee
ing to tt c States republican fern of Go
ernment.n imposes the obligation to prote
the people in their sovereignty, and to pr
vent its alienation, if that were possible. as
departure from the true Republican fori
Congress. therefore, has no rightful power
accept State Government. which has n
received the sanction OF the people who are
live under it. The attempt TO exercise su
power would be plain violation of
Constitution. IL would be none the less
uSurpatiOn. because the people might aftC
wards regain their violated sovereignty.
The G vernon expresses the opini
that the Legislature itself has the pow
to provide by law for submitting t
Constitution to the adoption or rejecti
Of the people. lie therefore recommen
as the most practicable and pertine
measure within their power, that t
Legislature shall Immediately provi
for the regular and legitimate exerci
ofthe sovereignty Of the people, on tho
points in which the Convention has
tempted TO trammel Or restrain it;
other words, to provide for direct vo
under their own authority, upon {
adoption of the Constitution which is
be partially submitted, on tho 2lst., u
der the authority of the Constitution
Convention This measure will prof.
bly, he adopted. and under the authori
Of the Legislature, the people will VI
upon the whole OF the Lecompton CO
stitution and reject IL; if they be W
they will let the Topeka CONSTITUTE
slide, and call new Convention to fra
new Constitution free from all p
party prejudices.
News OF the removal OF Gov. SLANT