Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1858-03-18
ed gentlemen:

10. ]. Z. Egly. " Hamilton
II. r. H. HendricksOu, " Butler
l2. Henry BoyIes Harrison.
IS. ThOs. W. Peacock, +" Guernsey.
Letters had been received previous to
the Convention, from Robert ]. Walker,
Henry A. Wise, and Senator Broderick,
of California, and Others, some Of which
W. insert as follows.
WASHINGTON CRY, March 5tb, '5s'
Messrs H. B. Payne and others, Com
mittee- Gentleman: Your letter Of the
22l inst has been received, inviting me to
attend and address o macs meeting Of the
Democracy of Ohio on the 10th Of this
month. regret that it is impossible for
me to be with you on that occasion, but
most cordially concur in the great object
Of your meeting.
For the first time in our history, an
effort is now made to force a Constitution
and government upon an inchoate State.
against the well known will Of large ma.
jority Of its psopIe; Nothing can be more
Cenr or conclusive than the evidence de.
monstrating the fact, that 40 ovsrwhelm-
ing majority Of the people of Kansas are
opposed to the Leconpton Constitution.
This is indicated 10y the diSfranchisement
of half the counties of Kansas in the elec.
ton of Delegates to the Constitutional
Convention by the skeleton vote given to
those Delegates, averaging not more than
thirty for each, by the Withholding Of the
Constitution, by the Convention, against
their well known Piled yes,from the people,
by the result Of The election Of the Terri
torial Legislature in October last, when
both parties participated, by the miserable
frauds and fOrgeries perpstrated by the
minority, to supply the place Of real elec-
tors aud finally rendered certain by a
majority of ten thousand against the Con.
stitution, 10 The election holden on the
4th of January last. This last vote was
taken under the call of the Territorial
Legislature OF Kansas, the same authority
by which the Convention was assembled,
and this law was enacted by that Lsgisla.
ture before any vote had been taken by
the people on the Lscompton schedule
Now, the Convention derived its authority
exclusively from an act passed by the
Territorial Legislature, under the Compre,
hsnsive powers vested in that body by
Congress, but before the act of the Con
vention was coDsunated by a popular
vote, and whilst the whole proceeding was
as yet imperfect. the Territorial Legisla-
ture, by n valid law. authorized the people
to vote for or against the Constitution. -
The vote under that law indicated an un-
disputed majority gilmore than ten thous-
and of the people of Kansas against the
Lecompton Constitution. Indeed, one Of
the reasons given why the Lecompton
Constitution should be adopted by Con-
gress is this that il il had been submitted
to vote Of the people. It would have
been rejected by thsm at the polls.
The fact then is proven incontestably
nay, il is conceded, that a majority of the
people Of Ksusas are opposed to the Le-
compton Constitution, and that il this ia.
strument is ratified by Congress, it will be
forced upon that people against their will.
This is tue great controlling fact which
stands out in bold relief.and thus presents
a case involving that fundamental principle
or public liberty and of the Constitution
shall a proved and admitted minority seek
to establsha Constitution aud government
for the people Of an inchoate Statei The
great doctrine of Staie.rights and State
sovereignty lies at the foundation Of all oul
institutions.
The most vital of oil the rights offs
Slate, is the establishment Of a Consttu'
ton, and il this right can be disregardet
by Congress, the whole doctrine of stats
and popular sovereignty is discarded and
overthrown. In doing such an act, VI
are setting most fatal precedent; we arr
undermining the very pillars upon wbicl
reposes the whole fabric of popular liberty
We are permitting a small minority tc
supercede msjority in framing STATE
government. and Congress is becoming
1.-The Sly and accomplice of that minority,ir
overthrowing the rights Of the people e.-
These are solemn and D,omentous questions
The real Issue ia1ball the minority or tb'