Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1858-01-23


If6x tt4iesa1pfov4 or disepprovsl, they
thsmselvek tho character of the institutions
under which they are to live. They are not
permittcl to settle for themselves any of the
Important questions connected with their
judiciary, representation, taxation, internal
improvemeats, education, finance, State i'm
debtednsfs, or personal right. For the pur-
pose sfjriveting slavery upon them, u blow
is thus ttruck at the very foundation prinoi
pie Of popular government. Had q similar
mktsa>6t a6esn made BY tho recent constltu-
tion1F conv ention in this State to force a
consultation upon the people regardless Of
the Popular will, it would justly have re
AnheA in revolution.
Th3 pretended constitutional convention,
It u true, proposed separate article which
was submitted to the people, and which Il
adopted, establishes slavery in Kansas upon
Hmorc barbarous system than is known to
amy of the slave States of this Union. But
no enc was permitted to vote either for or
against this separate article until lie FIRST
voted for tho constitution. He was not al
lowed to vote against it. Thus, whether the
separate article was adopted or rejected, if
the constitution ,ehich could not be uOted
: against, is permitted to stand as the organ
ic law Of the State, Kansas mast become
slave State.
We cannot be Indifferent to the efforts of
the people Of Kansas to p .rpetuate freedom
in that Territory. We ought not to be in
different. No people are deserving of free
dom who do not sympathize with those who
are struggling to attain it. The people OF
Kansas are the champions of popular gov
eminent everywhere. They are bringing to
the test the great principle enunciated BY
our revolutionary fathers that government
derives its power by the consent OF the gov
erued.
If the recent constitutional convention OF
Kansas, defended as it was by federal bay
onets against tho just indignation of the PEG
pie, can succeed by trick and fraud in fas-
tening an obnoxious constitution upon them,
and take away from them the power to
amend until slavery shall become further
strengthened, there is an end to free govern
ment and American liberty.
The people of Iowa look with alarm upon
the constant aggression Of the slavery prop
agandists, but | conf, s. that look with
equal alarm upon the manifest tendency Of
our government to consolidation.
The events of the few past years would
seem to indicate that the predictions Of some
of the men who achieved our liberties for us,
were being fulfilled. Our government is
fast becoming an elective monarchy. The
States are gradually losing their consequence
and will soon be reduced to the condition Of
mere municipal appendages to the central
power. The influence of the federal gov
srment is prostituted to interference in State
affairs, even to that of municipal elections.
The doctrine inherited from our ancestors
that standing armies are dangerous to the
liberties of the people; is repudiated by con-
stant and strenuous efforts to increase the
national army. The federal government
now asks to control all the banking institu-
lions in the States by virtue of some law of
Congress. Sinecure Offices are created for
the purpose of influencing public opinion
the States, uttering the sentiments, dis5urs-
ing the money, and obeying the commands
Of the Central authority, govern in great
degree the sentiments Of the country. Thus,
the federal government, instead of being as
it was designed to be, the mere creature and
under the control of the States, is fast be-
coming their master.
This centralizing influence of the govern
ment---the immense increase of our national
expenses the history of slavery propagan-
d SIN in Kansas, and the completely of the
federal government Herewith the attempt
to overthrow the clearest right of self gov
srnm,ns for the purpose of extending the in
situations of slavery. and the efforts to de-
stroy the rights of the States, by political
decisions Of the Supreme Court, should re-
mind the freemen Of Iowa that their politi-
cal rights are in danger.
The liberties of the people can only be
preserved by maintaining the integrity Of the
State government against the corrupting in
auences of federal patronage and power.
s. Closing with this communication my Off
cial connection with the government, may
be permitted't to avail myself of the occasion
to return to my fellow citizens my heartfelt
thanks for the honor and confidence they
have bestowed on me, and to assure them Of
my continued aspirations for the advance
ment of our beloved State in virtue, pros
perity and happiness. H.
JAMES W. GRIMES.
Executive OFFICE, DEsxo1NE,,
January IL, 1858.