The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-04-17

address to accompany the INSTRUMENT
which SHOULD e1nanase from this body
In performing this sdaty, we desire briefly
to direct attention 70 that necessity in.
which the present movement Of the Peo-
pie originated and the reasons why 1t.
should sti1l meet With the hearty approval
of every American Citizen.
AlIthe difficulties In Kansas originated
in the successful attempt to wrest the gov
eminent from the People by fraud and to
force usurpation upon them BY violence
The character of this usurpation was such,
that it seemed evident 70 the people, that
the most speedy and practical way to ae-
complish its overthrow, would be to-
change the government from Territorial
form to that of asovereign and independ-
ent State. Believing the right TO make
this change to be indefeasible, and hold
ing that twas recognized by the treaty of
concession with France, sanctioned BY the
Organic Act of Congress, and proclaimed
by the dominant political party of the
country, the people, prompted only by the
hope and desire of speedily Terminating
their difficulties and peaeeably recovering
their rights, inaugHrated that movement,
in 1855, which resulted in the formation
of State Constitution. This instrument,
upon being presented to Congress, was
rejected by one branch of that body,
chiefly, IS It was asserted, because it ema
mated from the people without an enabling
provision from the Territorial Legislature
OF from Congress.
Falling to find relief in this, the people
with hope Of better success, participated
In the election last October, and secured
the control of the Territorial Legislatufe.
But, before this body could take any Off
ciaI action, Convention, previously pro-
yided for by the alien Legislature and
elected under partizan and fraudulent
registration aud appor6onment, had framed
a Constitution for Kansas, repugnant in
many of its provisions, thus throwing
another great obstacle between the people
and their rights iustwhen they were about
to enter into their possession and enjoy
ment.
In this crisis, when a people whose
patience had been exhausted by the repe.9
fition of acts of tyranny and persecution
were exasperated by a. new and startling
attempt to fasten another usurpation upon
them and were ready to crush out their
oppressors by violence, the Territorial
Legislature, with hope of averting the
impending ealamities, enacted the law
for another Constitutional Con-
vention. 1t was fully believed that an
Enabling Act thus emapating from
legally constituted legislative body would
remove all technical objections previously
urged against the Constitution which
with the people, and this con-
yietion gave them confidence in the meas
ure. Animated by that spirit which has
inspired them from the first, and fully
determined to exhaust every peaceable
means to defeat the eonsummation of the
gigantic fraud before resortiDg to force, the.
people earnestly engaged in this new
constitutional movement, and, by very
large vote, elected Delegates to frame an
Organic Law for Kansas.
To the American People, we would say,
that the people of Kansas, after they had
repudiated the Lecempton Constitution
by an overwhelming vote, and had remon-
strated against it in every possible way,
beheld with dismay, that the Congress of
the United States disregarded their petit
tons and their protests. But amid all
these discouragements they engaged in
this constitutional movement believing
it to be the last peaceable measure for the
recovery of their rights to which they
could resort. Their intention has been
to make for themselves a Fundamental
law, and organize a government. under It,
with the hope that its existence might
deter Congress from sanetioning the Con-
stitution framed at Lecompton, and with
the determination that it should be the
standard around which they would rally
in the event of a forcible and violent resis-
lance to the Frauds becoming necessary
Because of this, we, in behalf of long
oppressed people for whom we speak,
appeal to the citizens of every State to use
all their influence to prevent the National
Congress from sanctioning that Constitu-
ton and government to which the people
of Kansas cannot submit without the sacri-
| fee of the dearest rights, and which can
not be recognized as valid without an alb
solute disregard of the fundamental prin-
ciples of our government.
To the People of Kansas, you, wlSse
interest are directly involved in this Con-
stitutional movement, we can say, that
your delegates in performing the duty
entrusted to them, have endeavored TO
frame Constitution adapted to the wants
and calculated to conserve the highest
interests of Kansas. They now submit
| it to you for your approval or rejection
| The limited time to which the Conven-
ton has necessarily confined its session
has prevented that deliberation with
which such Instruments are usually formed
but scfupuious care has been taken to
avoid incorporating anything believed to
be repugnant to any considerable portion
of the people. The impending dangers
have been kept steadily in view, and be-
cause of them, the aim has been, especial
| ", to make an instrument which every
good citizen may conscientiously approve
The delegates earnestly hope that they
have been entirely successful in this, fol
they are conscious that your peace and
prosperity for years to come. may depend
upon their work. They feel that if it i:
such as 10 deserve and receive yonr ready
and hearty ratification, then, not only viii
they have been successful in their efforts
but you, the People of Kansas, viii have
created BY your sovereign will an instru,
mentality with which YOU may effectu'
ally contravene the conspiracy againsI
your rights.
There is an urgent necessity that the
ratification of this Constitution be of {
most emphatic character, whether the Pro
slavery Constitution, now before Congress
is or is not received by that body. By 4
direct and overwhelming vote, you have
| declared your hatred to that instrument
by triumphant endorsement Of the WORK
- =