The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-03-11


Territorial Legislature on the first
Monday Of January on the Lecomp-
ton Constitution. This election was
held after the Territory had been
prepared for admission into the Union
az a Sovereign State, and when no
authority existed In the Territorial
Legislature which could possibly de-
stroy it's existence or change its
character. The election, which was
peaceably conducted under my in
structions, involved strange incon-
sistcncies. A large majority OF the
persons who voted against the Lc-
compton Constitution were at the
same time and place recognizing its
valid existence in the most solid and
authentic manner by voting under
It's provisions. ] have yet received
no official information Of the result
of this election.
As question Of cxpcdicncy, after
right has been maintained, it may be
wise TO reflect upon the benefits to
Kansas and tho whole country that
will result from its immediate adInis-
sion into the Union, as well as the
disasters that may follow its rcjcc-
ton. Domestic peace will be the
happy consequence Of the admission,
and that fine Territory, hitherto torn
by dissensions, will rapidly increase
in population and wealth, and spec
Oily realize the blessings and com.
forts which follow agricultural and
mechanical industry. The people
then will be sovereign, and can reg
ulatc their affairs in their own way
II the majority Of them desire to
abolish domestic slavery within the
State, there il no other possible mode
by which il can be effected 80 spec
Oily az by its prompt admission
The will Of the majority Is supreme
and irresistible, when expressed in
an orderly and lawful manner. II
can unmake constitutions At pleasure.
II would be absurd Ia say that they
can impose letters upon their own
power which they cannot afterwards
remove. " they could do this, they
might tic their own hands ust IN
well for q hundred as for ton years
These are the fundamental principles
of American freedom, and are recog-
nizcd in some form by every State
Constitution; and il Congress, IN the
act Of admission, should think proper
10 recognize them, can perceive no
objection.
This has been done emphatically
in tho Constitution Of Kansas. 1t
declares, in its bin Of rights, that
all political power is inherent IN
tho people and all free governments
are founded on their authority and
instituted for their benefit, and there
fore have at all times an inalicnable
and indcfcasibIe right 10 alter, reform
and abolish their form of government
in such manner AK they may think
proper The great State OF Now
York ia ut This moment governed I'M.
der Constitution framed and estab-
lshcd in direct opposition to n mode
prescribed by II previous Constitu-
ton. II, therefore, a provision chang
ing the Constitution of Kansas after
the year 1864, could 10y possibility
be construed into prohibition To
make such change previous IN that
period Of prohibition. 1t would be
wholly unavailing The Legislature
already enacted may, at its first SEES.
sion, submit the question to avotc OF
tho people. whether they will or not
have u Convention To amend their
Constitution. and adopt all necessary
means for giving cfloc, to the popu-
lar will. Ii has been solcmnly ad.
judged by tho highest judicial tribu'
nal that Slavery exists IN Kansas by
virtue Of tho Constitution of the unl-
ted States. Kansas is, therefore, at
this moment, as much "a Slave state
as Georgia or South Carolina. With
out this, tho equality of the southern
States composing the Union would
be violated, and the use and ENJOY
mcnt Of territory acquired by the
common treasure Of all tho States,
would be closed against the people
and property Of nearly half of the
members OF tho contedcracy. Slavery
can, therefore. never be prohibited in
Kansas except through the means OF
constitutional provision. and IN no
other manner can this be- obtained
50 promptly, if the majority Of tho
people desire it, AS by admitting her
into the Union under her present
Constitution. On the other hand,
should Congress reject the Constitu-