Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1857-06-27

which lies at the foundation Of all our institutions shall
determine, by actual majority of the votes of all her
own social institutions. speak not in regard to
the past OF any registry of votes but speak regards
the future.
My doctrine is this that in the future, when the con-
stituton shall be submitted the vote of the citizens of
Kansas that it shall be submitedto the of the whole
people do not mean those who registered
der the Territorial law do not mean those who were
residing here the 18th of March last but the
whole people of Kansas-not only those who here
now, but those who will be here next fall actual resi-
dents; that they, the people whom these nsitu
tons are to operate; that they by majority of their
votes shall decide for themselves whatsha be their
stitution and what shall be their social institutions
On this subject desire, repeat to read to you
tract from inaugural address to the people Ter
roy of Kansas together with the views of the President
of the United States Indeed, cannot doubt that the
convention" mean the convention which is about to
in September next after having framed State
constitution will submit for ratification rejection
by majority of the then actual bona tide resident set
tiers of Kansas. With these views, well known to
the President and Cabinet and approved by them, &C.
cepted the appointment of Governor of Kansas. My.
instructions from the President through the Secretary
of State under date of the Both Of March last sustain
the regular Legislature of the Territory" in assem-
bling convention to form constitution and they
press the opinion of the President that when such q
constitution shall be submitted to the people Of the Ter
rory they must be protected in the exercise of their
right of voting for against that instruments and the
ed by fraud or violence" 81
come to my individual views: /" repeat,
then my clear conviction that unless the Convention
submit the constitution to the vote of all the actual re-
sdent settlers of Kansas and the election be fairly and
justly conducted the constitution will be, and ought to
be, rejected by Congress" ICries Of good"] Gentle
this subject wish that there should be mis-
take msapprehenson regards my opinions and the
policy which shall deem it my duty to pursue in the
administration of the executive department Of the Terri
tory of Kansas 1t is involved in few simple words
That the majority of the people of Kansas must govern
cres of right; that the majority of the people of
Kansas must adopt their constitution reject it
that the majority of the people of Kansas the polls
must decide whether they will be slave State or free
State. Applause.
Indeed under whatever specieus DISCUSSES any other
doctrine may be presented, believe that the who
desires that the minority of the people shall establish
institutions for the majority is, whatever he may call
himself, neithera Democrat nor Republican, but
archst or an arstocrat He desires that the few shall
govern the many; whereas the great fundamental doc
rine which lies at the basis of all American nsu
tons, and upon which they all repose-and which has
been carried into successful operation in every State but
Kansas, and which, gentlemen, with your aid and CO.
operation to sustain me- it is my sincere hope shall
tain its fullest realization here's the rule Of the
jority.
Now then gentlemen, to the mode in which this
is to be accomplished. presume all agree-at least
hope doas to the doctrine that the majority of the
people of Kansas shall establish their own constitution
and introduce such social institutions the majority
prefer. now Is 10 De uOne Inc congress OF
the United States has established for Kansas but one
mode of action this subject and that action sthrough
the Territorial Legislature.
Now none of you can regret than do any of
those deplorable and caamious circumstances which
have taken place in the past. For myself, wish to
overlook the past and look forward better and bright
future That Territorial Legislature has, respect to
the authority this question: been recognised Ly the
acts of Congress of 1856 and 1857 That Legislature has
called convention assemble in September next That
constitution they will they will submit the vote
OF the majority of the then actual resident settlers of
Kansas. If they do not thus submit it. will Join YOU
citizens, in lawful opposition to their course
Cries of good and cheers And cannot doubt
gentlemen, that one much higher than the Chief Ma
gistrate of the Union, will join you in opposition.
But. gentlemen, for myself, cannot doubt that that
convention will submit such instrument as they may
frame for the adoption rejection of the whole people
of Kansas, to all who or then may be actual
bona de resident settlers of the Territory of Kansas
Them at that time and in pursuance of the method de-
sgnaed by the laws of your couptry by the Instructions
OF the Chief Magistrate of the Union, who piased
there by the people, and sworn by them execute the
laws, do not entertain doubt but that that convention
win submit to the whole of the then bona de settlers of
Kansas the determination for themselves by an actual
majority of the whole people, whether they shall adopt
or reject that constitution If they reject it, there is
end of that convention 1t has performed its office 1t
has adjourned never to meet again. A Voice, What
next
What next, you ask, gentlemen? There are two other
easy exits from the difficulty and as the question is
practlcal one propose to answer It, In October next
not under the act of the late Territorial Legislature but
under the laws Of Congress- you, the whole people of
Kansas, have right to elect delegate to Congress and
to elect Territorial Legislatures and through that Le
gislature you speak your views, and instruct them
either to call convention to submit consti
tuition for the consideration of the people, they
instruct their delegate Congress- chosen by majority
of their own votes to ask Congress to pass law
thorizng the people of Kansas form State constitu
ton for themselves. 1t is quite certain gentlemen that
In this mode there is in any event PEACEFUL tranquil
quiet exit from all the embarrassments and difficulties
by which you surrounded and that the time is rapidly
coming, if it has not already arrived when the rule of
justice and the people shall prevail in Kansas TCheers
Them gentlemen, what is the other mode which is pre-
sented? You are about to have assembled here at To-
peka next week, what is called the State Legislature
for they tell you that they about to
Legislature for the State of Kansas. Who elected that
Legislature? IA voice, "The people."l The people
Why the whole given for your so-caed constitution
as claimed by yourselves but 49, whereas there
registered TO- 900 voters residents here on
the 10Th of March last, exclusive of the thousands
omitted who have arrived here since that date The
people! Do you to tell that 731 votes con-
stitutes the whole number of in the Territory of
Kansas? A voice, sThat was year and half ago ~
But should those ,73l votes year and half ago i'm
pose constitution for all time upon the present
people of Kansas A voice, Not against their will ~
Should the constitution be submitted their will for
adoption or not! A voice, "Yes"1 That, gentlemen,
is the great question: far as they are concerned
But | understand you claim to be State now, and
that your so-called Legislature chosen by small
Der Of votes propose next week to laws be
forced In Kansas This miserable minority constituting
not OF the present people of Kansas propose
in absolute defiance Of the acts Of Congress- and open
rebellion mark ysu, gentlemen not only against the
Territorial laws, but against the laws and Government
OF the United States to assemble here and representing
3l people, impose this constitution by force upon the