Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1857-12-03
The Kansas Constitution.

elected convention, whose organization
and vitality was only insured by the sup
port of federal bayonets, and the sympa-
thy and support of the National Admin
istration and the Democratic party, it
embodies in its provisions the distinctive
features of modern Democracy. True
to the instincts of those who have thus
far upheld them in the frauds and out
RACES they have perpetrated, the conven-
ton have adopted an instrument which
almost irrevocably faslens upon Kansas
the crime of Slavery. They have taken
from the people all power to undo their
work; they allow them no choice of ac-
ceptance or rejection of their labor. The
federal army has given them the power to
fasten slavery upon Kansas, and they will
not jeopardize the privilege by any APP
peal to the people.
Contrary to every principle of Right
and Justice--contrary to every pledge of
the Administration to the people of Kan
sas--contrary to the avowed purpose of
the Kansas Nebraska bill--contrary to the
solemn affirmation of Governor WALKER,
and the reiteration of the Democratic
press of the country, the constitution
adopted by the convention is not to be
submitted to the people. The schedule
of that instrument provides that only one
clause is to be submitted to the people for
acceptance or ejection--that relating to
Slavery and whether that clause is re.
lected or not, Slavery will be fastened
upon the State. This clause simply pro
vides for the treatment of Slaves, prohib-
ting their emancipation, DC, and even
when stricken out does not affect the mat
ter of the establishment of Slavery there
a particle. Strike it out, and the consti-
tuition leaves the question OPEN By tie
bred Scott decision, and the doctrine of
President BUCHANAN, as enumerated in
his Silliman letter, Slavery already exists
in Kansas, and the constitution being
thus silent upon the subject, gives per-
feet license for the traffic in flesh and
blood. The Missourian can take his
slaves there, and hold them as securely
by virtue of the law of property, as if
the constitution directly allowed its exis-
tcnce.
But this is not the worst feature of the
case. The Convention were determined
to do their work well. They were deter
mined to give Slavery more than tenn
porary foothold there. To do this, it was
necessary to preserve their work intact for
a considerable length of time--to take
from the people the power of an early re-
vision. This they have done effectually
by inhibiting any change in the constilu-
ton until 1864, and then prescribing such
circumocutory course, and exacting
such unanimity of action, that it will be
next to impossible to secure the change
Eight years is given TO the Slave inter
est to solidify and entrench itself. And
then if it can obtain onethird of the po-
litical power, it can defeat every effort of
the other two-thirds to modify or change
the provisions OF the constitution.
This is the Internal plot by which Kan
sas is to be robbed of her rights--a plot
which JAMES BUCHANAN has declared
himself bound to sanction and defend
And this, too, in the face of solemn asst
RANGES, again and again repeated, that
the people of Kansas should not be de-
barred the privilege and tie right of
accepting or rejecting the work of this
convention. This assurance, and this
only, quoted the agitation in that territory
for the people believed in his honesty and
sincerity. Not even the presence of the
troops sent for its protection, could have
saved this infamous convention from dis
persion and humiliation, had it not been
for the abiding faith which the people
had in the explicit and solemn promises
made to them by the President and Gov
ernor WALKER upon this point And
yet, now that they call upon them to re-
deem these pledges-to secure them the
right and the privilege which had been
thus solemnly guaranteed item, the Pres
ident denies his right of interference =
Even GOV. WALKER, regardless as he has
proven himself of the rights of the peo-
pie, has not sunk quite SO low as this in
jnfamy. refuses thus to slultify himself
and takes i-sue with the President.
Kansas is then eforc left to the mercy of
Democratic Congress There may be
honesty enough left in that body TO defeat
this monstrous wrong by rejecting the
constitution, but reasoning from the past
the hope seems fallacious. Adhesion
TO party has driven them into sanct,oning