The Kanzas news., 1857-08-01
The Territorial Election.


SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 1851.
The Territorial Election.
We do not regard it as by any means GER
tain that the Free State men viii participate
in the election for Territorial officers In De-
tober next, notwithstanding the Topeka Con-
yention virtually resolved that such should
be their action. We have no faith in the
promises of Gov. Walker, that the whole peo-
pie of Kanzas should participate in the Ter
ritorial election in October next 'sunder the
laws of Congress" and until we see him Ia
king some steps towards removing the OBJ
stacles in the way of full and free partici-
patton in that election, we shall regard his
promises IS mere clap-traps, calculated to
induce the people to abandon the Topeka
Constitution.
In order to give US the fair election, about
which he has said SO much, Gov. Walker
viii have to first declare the bogus census re-
turns fraudulent, and refuse to make an ap-
portionment for members of the Territorial
Legislature under them; then order new
census. make an apportionment under it, and
give to the people the right to elect their own
judges and clerks of election, which the bo-
gus laws deny them-thus annulling these
laws, which have been 80 fruitful of trouble
If Gov. Walker does not do this, no Free
State man can vote without recognizing the
bogus laws, while a large portion of them
viii not be allowed any representation what
ever. If Gov. Walker does these things and
thus ensures us fair election under the or
ganic act, we shall be sure to give him full
credit. But we have no faith that he will
do it; and if he does not, how, we ask, are
the Free State men to vote in October?
The Territorial election law, as our read
ers all know, requires the Governor to make
an apportionment for members of the Terri
torial Legislature on the basis of the census
taken preparatory to the election of members
TO the Constitutional Convention. This dis
franchises fifteen counties, where no census
was taken. If the inhabitants of those dis
franehised counties choose, they can estab-
lish polls and vote for members of the Leg
islature but let us see what the result would
be. The members elected according to the
apportionment and proclamation of the Gov
ernor viii make their appearance at Lecomp-
ton, and Gov. Walker will give them certi-
fcates of election, emitting them to seats as
Legislators. A majority of these men will
be Pro-Slavery. They viii be the Legisla-
ture de faeto, and have the power to deter
mine the right of those elected by the peo-
pie of the disfranchised counties to seats in
their body. Shall we throw ourselves upon
the mercy of our enemies and beg of them to
grant to us what we should demand as a
right. We have as much right to sit in
judgment on them as they on us. But they
would not admit our members. The Pro-
Slavery party has not committed SO many
villainies in its attempts to subdue the peo-
pie of Kanzas. to be baked of its purpose at
this time. They would not admit into the
Legislature an overwhelming majority of
Free State men when it was in their power
to keep them out. We should only be laugh
ed at, and would have placed ourselves in a
disgraceful position, from which there would
be no retreat. This we shall never do. We
will not beg for mercy at the hands of our
bitterest enemies; nor viii we recognize the
bogus laws. The Free State men in those
counties where registry was made, and
who have a chance to vote, cannot do so
without making themselves parties to our
disfranchisement. We are satisfied that
they viii never do this. It would break
the Free State party into fragments, and be
productive of no manner of good, and untold
evil
Under these circumstances, we regard it
as very doubtful whether the Free State par
ty will go into the October election There
is certainly no necessity for it. By firm
maintenance of their position under the To-
peka Constitution they can compel Congress
and the General Government to recognize
their Government as soon as by any other
means. For our own part, we would never
touch the Territorial Goyernment-except
to overthrow it-were it not for the sake of
harmony, even though Gov. Walker should
remove all distractions. We know that our
position is tansble if we only cling to it
firmly.
Next Monday.
Il u II l.