Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1857-12-24

the time Of the election of delegates, &C
understood the object of the Convention
Those who voted for delegates did so with
the understanding that they had no power
to make government, but only to frame
one for submission; aud those who staid
away did so with the same understanding.
Now for the evidence. The President Of
the United States tells US in his Message,
that he had unequivocally expressed bis
opinions, in the form of instructions to
Gov. Walker, assuming that the Constitu-
lion was TO be submitted to the people for
ratification.
When we look at Governor Walkers let
ter of acceptance of the Office of Governor,
we find that he stated expressly that he
accepted it with the understanding that the
President and his whole Cabinet concurred
with him that the constitution, when form
ed, was to be submitted to the people for
ratification. Then look into the instfuc-
tions given by the President of the United
States through General Cass, the Secreta-
ry of State, to Governor Walker, and you
there find that the Governor is inlructed
to use the military power to protect the
polls when the constitution shall be SUBJ
mitted to the people of Kansas for their
free acceptance or rejection. Trace the
history little further, and you will find
that Governor Walker went to Kansas and
proclaimed, in his inaugural and in his
speeches at Topeka and elsewhere, that it
was the distinct understanding, %. only
of himself, but those higher in power
than himself-meaning the President and
his Cabinet-that the Constitution was to
be submitted to the people for their free
acceptance or rejection, and that he would
use all the power at his command to de-
feat its acceptance by Congress, if it were
not thus submitted to a vote of the people.
As further evidence on that point, a
large number, if not the majority, of the
delegates were instructed in the Nomina-
ting Conventions 10 submit the Constitution
to the people for ratification. know that
the delegates from Douglas county, eight
in number, Mr.. Calhoun, President of the
Convention, being among them, were not
only instructed thus to ubmit the question,
but they signed and published, while can
didates, a written pledge that they would
submit it 10 the people for ratification. l
know that men high in authority and in the
confidence of the Territorial and National
Government, canvassed every part of Kan
sas during the election of delegates, and
each one Of them pledged himself to the
people that no snap of judgment was to
be taken; that the Constitution was to be
submitted to the people, for acceptance or
rejection; that it would be void unless that
was done; that the administration would
spurn and scorn it as violation Of the
principles on which it came into power, and
that Demo,ra tic Congress would hurl
it from their presence, as an insult to
Democrats who stood pledged to see the
people left free to form their own domes-
i tic institu ions for themselves.
Not only that, sir, but up to the time
when the Convention assembled, on the
lst of September, so far as l can learn, it
was understood everywhere that the Con-
stitution was to be submitted for ratification
or rejection.
Thus constitution made by conven-
ton that had authority to assemble and
petition for redress of grievances, but not
to establish Il governmental constitution
made under pledge of honor that it shoult
be submitted to the people before it tool
effect; constitution that provides on it:
face that it shall have no validity excep
what it derives from such submission;
submitted 10 the people at an election
where all men are at liberty TO come for
ward freely without hinderance to vote
for it, but no one is permitted to recorc
a vote against it. That will be rs fair ar
election rs some of the enemies of Napo
leon attributed to him, when elected First
Consul. He is said to have called out his
troops and had item reviewed by his off.
GERS with q speech, patriotic and fair in its
professions, in which he said 10 them
'Now, my soldiers you are to 90 to the
election, and vote freely just rs you please.
If you vote for Napoleon, all is well vote
against him, and you are instantly to BE-
Shot" That was fair election. Laugh
ter.) This election Is 10 be equally fair
All men in favor of the Consultation may
vote for it-all men against it shall not
vote at all. Why not let them vote agains,
1t? Ipresume you have asked many a man
this question. l have asked a very large
number of the gentleman who framed the
Constitution, quite number OF delegates,
and still larger number of persons who
were their friends, and / have received the
same answer from every one of them. |
never received any other answer. What
is that? They say if they allowed nesa-
tive vote the constitution would have been
voted down BY an overwhelming majority.
and hence the fellows shall not be allowed
to vote at all. Laughter.)
After showing that the people are to be
the sole judges of their Constitution. he
proceeds:
Hence assert that there is no iustifca.
ton to be made for this fragrant violation
Of popular rights in Kansas, on the pleo
that the Constitution which they have
made IS not particularly obnoxious. But.
SIT, the President of the United States, IS
really and sincerely of the opinion that The
slavery clause has been fairly and impar-
tally submitted to the free acceptance or
rejection of the people of Kansas, and that.
inasmuch as that was the exciting ond