Freeman's champion., 1858-02-18

the powgr OF Missouri and the Cen
eral Government could not enforce it's
against oar contemtptI The
Legislature has now re-
pealed the obnoxious features of that
code. Should Congress receive the
Lecompton Constitution, by that re-
ception they restore to life that re.
pealed code. If In three years the
Central Government could not en-
force it, before its repeal, how many
years will it require, to enforce it, af-
terwards ? Laughter.
The Kanzas- Nebraska Bill secures
to the foreigner WHO has declared his
intentions, the right to vote. The
Missouri code takes that right from
him and confers it upon the Indian.
We have vindicated the right of the
foreigner under the Nebraska Bill, by
the repeal of the law. Should Con-
gress receive the Lecompton Consti-
tuition, this law is again revived ; and
he who votes for that reception, en-
c!orses the doctrine.
AS speedy and peaceful mode Of
settling our difficulties, the people
framed and ratified the Topeka Con-
stitution. BY a decisive majority
that Constitution was received by the
popular branch Of Congress. Since
that time we have had a lively hope
that the Senate would ratify the action
ofthe House. TO remove all pretext,
and as sacrifice to the unfounded
preiudices in the minds Of the oppo-
nents to TINT Constitution, the first
Territorial Legislature under the con-
troll of the people has passed a bill
calling a Convention to frame another
Constitution. The law is fair to all,
and provides for submitting the Con-
stitution tn be framed, TO fair and
full popular vote.
This movement is rendered in a
Christian and patriotic spirit, as a
compromise, for speedy and just set
tlement of the Kanzas question. -
Why should not Congress and all par
ties receive it as such =? Before the
Lecompton Constitution can possibly
pass, this Constitution will be before
that body. By endorsing it at once
as their action, thus recognizing the
right of the people to fix the details
in the settlement of their own affairs,
peace is permanently secured, and the
rights of the majority yindicated.--
On the contrary, should Congress per-
sist in foisting upon us Constitution
despite our will, war, devastating
war, Must follow. 1t may be extend
ed along the line to the Atlantic coast
and the President may be compelled
to look upon the fragments of a bro
ken government. God grant tina,
justice may prevail, and such q scene
never be presented,
The people of Kanzas are qualified
to manage their own affairs. They
have sternly opposed Missouri inter
vention, and would have opposed in
tervention from Northern States ol
Aid Societies as sternly.
They have originated their own pol
icy-engineered their own cause
they have ever been loyalto the Gov
ernment and true to the Union; ant
he who charges otherwise wrongs
them, and falsifes their history.
To the charge made by the Presi
dent against me personally, have
this to say that the allegation Gomez
with q bad grace from him, or his par
ty. I could not have been a "turbu
lent" character when that party en-
dorsed me, by thrusting upon me, b!
unprecedented majorities, three Of tn
most important positions in the Stat
of Indiana-~all of which / held a
one time that of Lieutenant-Gov
ernor, Electoral large, and Membe
of Congress. That character coul'
not have been won by me, while lead
ing the troops under the Federal au
thority, in the Democratic Msxical
War, when | stood upon that Mexican
field, where Pierce, faintihgly ant
safely reClincd. [Roars Of laughter.
It was not turbulence to my Me'
party, that induced me to vote for tn
/ Kanzas. Nebraska Bill, in obedienc
to the instructions Of my constitu
ents-.obtained, ,as afterwards learne'
through fraud and Misrepresentation
by the vile creature, John l.. Robin
son, in obedience to the orders OF hi
Brioht friend. Are my earnest an
energetic efforts, upon my arrival i
the Territory, to build up the Demo
cratic party in Kanzas, to be used a
a foundation for the charge Of "tur
bulence," by the head of that party
Is the fact that the Topeka move
ment was first brought forward in
Dem ocratic Convention, to be use
ooa;net map Ia nv anxiety to PAL