Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1857-07-30
The Trotbles in Kansas.


ave adopted, as they claim, by popular
ote, charter fol their local government
copy of that charter has been placed in my
ands; upon COMPARING which with that
ranted by the Territorial Legislature, last
inter, | find thai they differ internationally
q many essential particulars. The new
harter then, is SGT up, not only without any
uthority of law, but in direct and open de-
ance OF an act Of the Territorial Legislature
n the same subject. ~
On this point, your committee, whose
Jews have been adopted by you, make the
blowing statement;
"Under ordinary circumstances the more
ocular method Of proceeding would be to
btain charter from the Territorial authori-
les. As the Territorial government, howev-
+, IN no sense represents the people of Kan
as, was not elected by them, and can have
10 right to legislate for them, we cannot ac-
'ept charter arts hands. And, as the
State goyernmeat has not as yet deemed it
advisable to proceed to the organization of
ocal and municipal governments, we cannot
,btain charter from it. There is, therefore,
fit us only the alternative of a charter
,pringing directly from the people, or con-
.ieuanee in-y ~ unorgauized condi-
Ufdcr Observation-Disclosures, you have seen
fit to instruct us to present new charter
having discussed its provisions in previous
assemblage, and now propose to submit it to
a full vote of the people for approval or re-
lection"
1t will thu be perceived that the authority
Of the Territorial government is here distinct
ly denied auF whilst that of the so-called
State government is acknowledged it is con-
coded that no charter has been granted by
them Indeed it is fact that although this
so-called State government has, in itself, no
legal existenea or authority, yet you asked,
and failed toreceive charter from them.
Under thes circumstances you have pro-
cceded to establish a government for the city
Of Lawrencesin direct defiance of the Terri
torial government, and denying its existence
or authority. You have granted to this city
government the authority to elect a Mayor
and Board Of Aldermen, City Assessor
Treasurer, Justices of the Peace, City Mar,
shal, &c.
You have granted to the Mayor and Alder
men most extensive powers, including tht
right to levy and collect taxes upon real anC
personal property within the limits of the
city, whether belonging TO residents Or non
residents, and all the other powers usually
incident to city government.
You have iApesed upon all these officer
the duty of taking an oath to support this so
called State Constitution, thus distinctly su
perseding, 50 far as in your power, the Terri
torial Government created by the Congress o
the United Statee. You have caused thes
proceedings tobc- printed in hand-bill form
and have distributed them, as | am informed
throughout the Territory, with view to in
cite the other cities, towns and counties O
Kansas to establish insurrectionary govern
ments, thereby placing the people Of thi
Territory, 50 lar as in your power, in ope
conflict with the Government of the Unite
States
having ySa f RG5rSr Z fS y2ds Rn'
to enact the iaws urged by you, creatin
municipal government you have, even in de
fance of THEFT authority, which you profes
to acknowledge. proceeded to create such
government fot Lawrence, and are now uro
ing other localities to pursue a similar course
Your evident purpose is thus to involv
the whole Territory in Instruction, and t
renew the scenes Of bloodshcd and civil wal
Upon you, them must rest all the guilt an
responsibility Of this contemplated revolution
You will be justly chargeabIe in law and COZ
science with all the blood that may be shed i
this contest, and upon you must fall the pun
ishment.
You have-ei1ted your officers under th
charter, and instructed them to enter upo
the immediate discharge of their duties, il
Guiding the adoption Of ordinances and tn
execution thereof, under an authority havin
in itself no legal existence and established
direct defiance of the government of til
United States.
From all these facts, it is obvious if 20
are permitted to proceed, and especially
your example should be followed as urged
you in other pidees, that for all parctical pu
poses in many important particulars, the Te
rltorlal government will be overthrow. ~
charters granted by that government for sin
liar purposes viii be disregarded, and tt
justices Of ths. peace and other officers actin
under their authority, will be brought nece
sarily into conflict and collision with the 81
called officers claiming to act under differel
authority.
The Territory will thus be involved in il
extricable confusion and litigation; the valr
of your property be greatly deprecated
your titlesr transfers, transactions and col
tracts will Be subjected to endless and cost
disputes, and ali will suffer from this insu
rection, except the lawyers who have slim,
lated this movement, A government foun'
ed on Instruction and usurpaton will be SUI
stituted for that established by the authori
of Coas+ess~eyA siwl 4sar will be renewt
throughout Ouf limits. If your authority
act in this manner for the city Of Lawrenc
is permitted, similar authority must be a
knowledged in every other town, city or cou
ty, result in inevitable and most disastro
conflict; and if successful, the territorial 60
eminent will be overthrow in detail, as
your present purpose.
You were distinctly informed in my ina
gural of May last, that the validity of Il
Territorial laws was acknowledged by Il
government of the United States, and tn
they must and would be carried into exec
ton under my oath Of office and the instru
lions of the President Of the United State
The same information was repeated in vario
addresses made by me throughout the Ter
tory, under them to establish their own Sta
government and frame their own forms pl
scribed by the government of your countr
social institutions would be acknowledged al
protected.
10 ho, L. nj htr4 hn