The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1858-03-17

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its members we're not elected by the peo-
pie of Kansas, but by invaders from Mis-.
souri,.
1t is not ny present purpose to in-
quire how far these allegations are sustain
ed by the facts; I refer to them with the
view of showing upon what grounds the
Free State party claimed that they were
Justified in Withholding their allegiance
to the Territorial Government, until a
fair opportunity was afforded the people
to elect their own Legislature. Since the
October election, however, all the oppo-
nents to the Lecompton Constitution have
recognized the Territorial Government
as valid The October election thus be-
comes memorable period in the history
of Kansas. Up tothis time it had been
generally understood that the Convention
had been called for the purpose of form
ing a constitution, and submitting it to
the people for ratification or rejection, and
of sending it to Congress for acceptance
only in the event that it should be ratified
by majority Of all the legal voters Of the
| Territory.
! The President himself instructed Gov
ernor Walker under date of March 80.
"When snch Constitution should be
submitted to the people of the Territory,
they must be protected in the exercise Of
their right Of potina for or against Mis in-
strument and the fair expression of the
popular will must not be interrupted by
fraud or violence"
I Governor Walker, in his Official dis.
patch to the Secretary of State, under date
Of June 2, said:
Goa one point the sentiments of the
people is almost unanimous, that the Con-
stitution must be submitted for ratifaa-
/ tion or rejection, to vote of the people
/ who shall be bona fde residents of the
Territory next fall"
n And in his inaugural Address to the
, people Of Kansas, Governor Walker
} said:- ~
: with these views, soeU kno,cn to The
President and Cabinet aud approved BY
THEM, accepted the appointment o.
Governor of Kansas. Ny instructions
) from the President. through the Secretary
Of State, under date of the 29th Marcel
last, sustain the regular Legislature of the
n Territory in assembling a convention tc
. form Constitution. And they expires;
d the opinion of the President, that wher
o such Constitution shall be submitted t
o the people of the Territory,-theY mus
J. be protested in the exercise of their righ
e Of voting for or against that instrameE
II and the fair expression of the popula
d will must not be interfered with by frau'
5 or violence repeat, then as my clea
a conciction that unless the Contention sub
'f NIT the Consultation to the sote Of all til
le actual resident settlers Of Kansas, and til
i election be fairly and quietly conducted, til
is CONSTITUTION WILL BE- AND OUGHT TO Be
he REJECTED BY CONGRESS. +"
al Relying on such solemn assurances a
"a these, the people were lulled into a fats
u security. under the belief that the frand
in the apportionment of delegates woul
~ be corrected and rendered harmless b
ie the Submission of the Constitution to
Ief vote of the people. The October electio
+ having disipated the last hopes of ms
d. king Kansas Slave State by fair vot
esl of the people, the Convention. determine
II instead OF conforming their action to til
r known wishes of the people of Kansas,
ts form Slave State Constitution, an
'y submit it to the people in such a forl
u as to render it impossible for them to r,
~ ject it. .....a.,.s.rs.
" The he-Lecomptenites were loyal to *
Il territorial government. as long as the
at filled the Offices and controlled its powe
he but the moment they were defeated, an
Id the power passed into the hands Of the
's, opponents, they rebelled against it, de6e
ly Its authority and devised schemes to d
or stroy it. They proposed to abrogate an
ct subve,t the territorial government, |
d. providing that the people should vote fl
ttheir Constitution, but not against it,
a. What is this but rebellion; open, markt
to undisguised rebellion?- Where is the .di
ference between this and the Topel
re movement which the President denopnc,
ne as revolutionary government? The l.
ly compton, as well as the Topeka Constit
r. tion, was declared to take effect aud be
,e, force not only without the consent of Co
be gress, but in defiance and contempt of Il
IT, authority Of the Territorial Legislatu
or established by Congress Upon VIII
he principle of fairness. then. can it be urg,
n that we should admit Kansas into u
by Union under the Lecompton Coastit
ton?
.es The speedy admission of Kansas is u
of ged by the President as question
OH mere expediency, to allay agitation.
mt order to reconcile the anti Slavery feeliI
up to the admission of Kansas. under the L
cir compton Constitution, the President pr
nd scnts the following propositions: lst, Tn
m Slavery already exists in Kansas. Cd, Tn
on it eau never be prohibited except by.
nd Constitutional provision. Sd, That the pc
be pie will then be sovereign, and can reg
is late their own affairs in their own wa
of 4th, That Congress may annul so much
ch the Lecompton Constitution as forbi
for any amendment before 1864, and requil
fl two thirds ofeach House of the Legis