The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1857-07-29
PROCLAMATION,

law and order citizen who is opposed to
anarchy and violence:
PROCLAMATION,
TO THE PEOPLE OF LAWRENCE
LEAvENwoRTH, Wednesday, July, Is, '57.
l have learned that considerable num-
of the citizens of Lawrence, in this Terri
tory, have adopted, as they claim, by a
popular vote, a charter for their local gov
ernment. A copy of that charter has
been placed in my hands; upon compar-
ing which with that granted by the Terri
torial Legislature, last winter, find that
they differ Intentionally in many essential
particulars The new charter, then, is set
mp, not only without any authority Of law,
but in direct and open defiance of an act
of the Territorial Legislature on the same
subject.
On this point your committee. whose
views have been adopted by you, make
the following statement:
Under ordinary circumstances the more
regular method of proceeding would be to
obtain charter from the Territorial au-
thorities. AS the Territorial government
however, in no sense represents the peo-
pie of Kansas, was not elected by them,
and can have no right to legislate for them,
we cannot accept charter at its hands.
And, as the State government has not as
yet deemed it advisable to the organiza-
tion of local and municipal governments,
we cannot obtain charter from it.
There is, therefore, left us only the alter
native of charter springing from the
people, or continuance in our morgan
lied condition.
Under the circumstances You have seen
| fit to instruct US to present a charter, hav-
| ing discussed its provisions in prelimi-
nary assemblage, and now propose to SUBJ
nit it to full vote of the people for ap-
proval or rejection"
1t will be perceived that the authority
of the Territorial government is here dis
tinctly denied, and while that of the So
called State government is acknowledged
it is conceded that no charter has been
granted by them. Indeed, it is fact
that, although this so-called State Gov.
ernment has, in itself no legal existence
or authority, yet you asked and failed te
receive charter from them.
Under these circumstances, you have
proceeded to establish government fol
the city of Lawrence, in direct defiance O
the Territorial government, and denying
its existence or authority. You hav,
granted to this city government the au
thority to elect mayor and board of Al
dermen, City Assessor, Treasurer, Justic,
of the Peace, City Marshall, &c. Yol
have granted to the Mayor and Aldermen
most extensive powers, including the righ
to levy and collect taxes upon real ant
personal property within the limits of tn
city, whether belonging to residents o
non-residents, and ali the other power
usually incident to a city government.
i You have imposed upon all these off
GERS the duty of taking an oath to suppor
this so called State constitution, thus dis
tinctly supercediDg. SO far as in your pow
er, the Territorial government created b
the Congress of the United States. Yo
have caused these proceedings to be prin
ted in handbill form, and have distributes
them, as l am informed, throughout tn
Territory, with the view to incite the 9th
er cities, towns and counties of Kansas t,
establish insurrectionary governments
thereby placing the people ofthis Terrific
ry, so far as in your power, in open con
: flict with the Government of the Unite
States.
The more considerable portion of you
, party having induced your Topeka Legis
! ature to enact the laws urged by you
) creating municipal government, you hav
even in defiance of their authority, whicI
! you profess to acknowledge, proceeded t
create such government for Lawrence
and are now urging other localities t
5 pursue similar course. Your eviden
purpose is thus to involve the whole Ter
ritory in insurrection, and to renew tn
scenes of bloodshed and civil war Upo
you, then, must rest all the guilt and re
sponsibility of this contemplated revolu
ton. You will be justly chargable in la,
and in conscience with all the blood tha
may be shed in this contest, and upon 20
must fall the punishment.
You have elected your officers unde
this charter, and instructed them to ente
upon the immediate discharge of their du
ties, including the adoption of ordinance
and the execution thereof, under an au
thority having in itself no legal existence
and established in direct defiance of th
Government of the United States.
From all these facts, it is obvious if yo
are permitted to proceed, and especial
. if yonr example should be followed as urg
led by you in other places, that for a
practical purposes, in many importar
! particulars, the Territorial government wi
! be oyerthrown. The charters granted b
: the Territorial government for simila
/ purposes will be disregarded, and tt
j Justices of the Peace and other officer
J. acting under their authority will I
: brought necessarily into conflict and co
e lision with the so-called officers claimin
I to act under different authority.