The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1858-06-05
Why The English Proposition Should Be Voted
Down

ms pI0posltion should be rejected be-
cause.-the people cannot accept it withour
humiliating compromise of every prin.
ciple they have advocated, and an entire
abandonment of the lofty position they
haveoccupied during the entire struggle
In Kansas. An acceptance of this propo-
sltlon involves an acknowledgment that
the Lecompton Constitution was the Con.
stitution of the people of Kansas; tina,
what they did, was the act and deed OF
the people that the vote against the
Constitution on the 18th of January. was a
mere caprice that the remonstrance as
sent up to Congress against the admission
OF Kansas under that instrument. was
without shadow ofreason or justification:
and the representations aol statements
there contained tissue of shameless false
hoods; that the firm, solemn resolves of
the Legislature against that Constitution
and its enforcement in Kansas. were fms.
tan and empty declarations; nay, more,
an acceptance of this proposition is an
unqualified confession on the part of the
people, that the outrageous sentiments of
Buchanan's speeious message have deem
bass IN truth THAT the policy of both the
administrations of President Pierce and
Buchanan have been eminently wise, and
just, and patriotic towards the people of
Kansas. When the people are prepared
to shoulder the burden of humiliation and
shame which confession of all these
things involve. then they can consistent
iy support the English proposition.
In our consideration of this matter we
do not take into account at all, the effect
an acceptance of the ordinance presented
may have upon the party in the country
at large, which stands in firm antagonism
to the unrighteous measures of the admin
istration. By making this an element of
our argument, it might with some force be
charged thatwe are more solicitous about
the success of pa.ties outside of Kansas
than OF the true interests of our own peo-
pie. While it would plainly be rank
.peffdy to those noble defenders of free
dom and government, who have strug-
gled aud triumphed in Congress over the
stern discipline of party, and the almost
irresistible power of patronage, for the
people of Kansas now to accept the ordi-
nance; we desire, nevertheless, that the
people should look upon this, and weigh.
and discuss it as a home question, as one
effecting their own history, honor, and
their own material and social interests.
1t must be remembered that the people
have the choice of accepting or rejecting
the LscomPtof Constitution. The current |
soPhristy that vote in favor of the ordi. |
nance is simply an acceptance of the land
grants, and not an endorsement of the
Constitution, affords no justification for an |
affirmative vote on the proposition. He |
who votes for the ordinance, voluntarily
throt7s his 'oesght in the balance in fauor of
constitution, which he knows was con.
ceived in fraud and crime, and born in
treason; he gives his support to principles
which if gradually enforced, would sub |
vert the institutions of our country, and
would make the United States a despo- |
tism more iutolerable than the absolutism
of Austria or Turkey. In the question
now submitted to them, the people have
the choice of indicating the sublime
principles of self government; of making
their history glorious, and defending |
themselves tFiumphantly against the i'm |
putation of insubordination to the laws
and Constitution preferred BY the Presi- |
dent and they have equally the choice |
OF ignobly surrendering all these things |
IN obedience to the sycophantic proposals |
OF the administration.
Let Us look at the consequences of ae-
ceptanee in another view. By voting for
the proposition, We are presumed to en-
dorse the Lecompton Constitution. and
thereupon. the President issues his nroc.
iamstion declaring Kansas State of the
Union. After the Constitution is upon ns
then We are in position where we are
Obliged to live under il until it can be
ehangedin legal manner. We surrender
every moral right to revolution. whether
peaceful or violent, BY voting voluntari-
iyto take the Constitution. II is trne
thatthis night ofrevolusioa NAV be axer.
cised, and a new Constitution formed con
trary to the express provisions of the one
aboiished-but doing this, would place
the people in the awkward attitude ofl
endorsing fundamental law enc day and
repeating It the next We have all main
tanned that should the Lecompson Con.
stltution be Josrsi upon Kansas, with the
government in the hands of the Free
State party, that Constitution would be
Changed in summary manner. tits
very different thing 70 vote for the ac-
cepsance Of that Constitution and then
immediately inaugurate measures for
Its overthrow. The Legislature is the
proper authority odevise means by which
q change in the Constitution is to be ef-
fected. The Instructions of that Lsgisla- Ii
ture were explicit at the time of election
On the same day it was elected, the peopls I.
of Kansas polsed vote of ten thousand
against the Lscompton Constitution. It's
mission was distinctly expressed to be. {
70 destroy that Constitution in case it was !,