The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-02-13

power, oecame Hefce In oppoSlklon anu
resorted to every means of Intimidation.
But I am led to believe that they found
their most effectual means of operation
by undermining Us with the Administers
ton at Washington.
The Constitutional Convention, which
had adjourned over until after the 0cto-
Der election, met again in Lecempton to
resume It's labors. Many of the mesaber
of that body were bitterly hostile Is the
Governor and Secretary, on account of
their rejection of the Oxford and McGee
frauds, in which some of the members
and officers of the Convention had di-
rect participation. In fact, this body,
with some honorable exceptions, well rep
resented the minority party in the Terri.
tory, and were fully imbued with the same
spirit and designs. It was obviously not
their desire to secure to the real people of
Kansas the control of their own affairs
In the constitution soon afterwards adopt
ed, they endesvored to supersede the
Legislature which had been elected by
the people, by providing, in the second
section of the schedule, that Hall laws
now of force in the Territory shan con-
ffhue TO be Of force until altered, amend
cd, or repeated by Legislature under the
pTovisiohs OF this constitution. They
pfUvi6cd stin more eifectdaffy, as they
supposed, for the perpetuation of their
minority government, by adopting the
Oxford fraud as the basis of their appor-
tionment, giving great preponderauce
of representation to the counties on the
Missouri border, and affordiug, at the same
time, every possible facility for the intro
duction of spurious votes. The Presi-
dent of the Convention was clothed with
unlimited power in conducting the cleo
tions and receiving the returns, while the
officers are not required to take the usual
oath to secure fair and honest dealing
The elections were hurried on. in mid
winter-the 21st of December and the
4th of January-when emigrants could
come only from the immediate borders.
under the qualification which invited to
the ballot-box every white male inhabit-
ant ..ia the Territory 0al-tkat daY." The
same men who did this had previously
denounced Governor Walker for the sug-
gestion in his inaugural address, and in
his Topeka speech, that the constitution
should be submitted to all the bona tide
inhabitants, although he invariably stated
when asked, for explanation, that some
reasonable length of residence ought to
be required as evidence of the bona fde
character of inhabitancy.
Itw apparent that all the machinery
had been artfully prepared for repeti-
ton of gross frauds, similar to those
which had been attempted in October !;
and it was in view of all these facts, after
the adjournment of the Convention, that
the people of the Territory, by an almost
unanimous demand, called upon me. as
the acting Governor, to convene an extra
session of the Legislature, in order to en-.
able them peaceably to protect them
selves against the wrongs evidently con-
templated by the adoption of this consti-
tuition. There was no law to punish
frauds in election returns. The people
were intensely excited /; and it was the
opinion of the coolest men in the Terri
tory that, without call of the Legisla-
ture, the elections under the constitution
could not have taken place without col
lision and bloodshed. The meeting of
the Legislature diverted the attention of
the people from the schemes of violence
upon which they were brooding, substi-
tuted the excitement of debate aud In
vestigation for that of fierce and warlike
hatred, and enabled their representatives
to devise means for eounteracting the
wrongs which they justly apprehended.
III kl.L Al -
spprehensions were well founded. Enor-
nous frauds have been perpetrated at the
precincts of Oxford, Shawnee and Kieka-
poo and it may well be believed that
this result was actually designed by the
artful leaders who devised the plan and
framework of the Lecompton Constitu-
ton. l have lately been at Shawnee,
and have seen and conversed with per-
sons who were at Oxford on the day of
election. The frauds committed are no.
torious; and though dishonest persons
may deny them, and may fill the chan
nels of public information with shameless
representations to the contrary, they can
be easily established beyond all contro-
versy.
1t was to enable the people to shield
themselves from these frauds, and to give
legal expression to their hatred and re-
lection of the instrument which permit
ted them, and was TO be carried by them,
| that called the Legislature together.
In my judgment, the people had fair
claim to be heard on this subject through
their Legislature. The organic act con-
! fided 10 me the discretion of eonvening
that body in extra session. The Presi-
dent of the United States had no right
full authority to exercise that discretion
for me. He had the power of removal,
and such control as that power gives him.
But I would cheerfully have submitted
to removal and consequent loss OF favor
with the Presidens fssbeE !hzd occupy
the position of Governor and refuse to
the people an Opportunity to assert theis
most essential tights, and to protect them
selves against the basest frauds and
wrongs ever attempted against an outraged
community.
Not having been informed of the
grounds of my removal, I know them
only through the newspaper reports. te
the effect that, in calling the Legislature
! disobeyed the instructions of the Presi.
dent. I had no instructions bearing OF
the subject, and there was no time to OBJ
tain them, even If had felt bound Il
substitute tie Presidents will for tha
| discretion which the organic act coniidei
to me. The convening of the Legislatur'
undoubtedly prevented difficulty and Sc
| cured peace. We're it important, an
confident ] could establish this position
5. by the most indubitable facts; but it j
sufficient now to say that the peace Of tn
i Territory was not in fact disturbed, an,
whatever reproaehes were made toward
| such resuis, were wholly attributed T
the policy OF the Administration in cen
suring my acts and removing me fror
/ Office.
II The measure for which have bee
unjustly condemned has enabled the PED
, pie Of Kansas to make known theiy res
!. will in regard to the Lecompson Constitu
ton. This affords the Democratic part
an opportunity TO defend the trne primo;
-.