The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-02-20

hend such result while Kansas remaini
a Territory. It viii doubtless be conced.
ed that within twelve months Kansas viii
be in the Union under some Constitution
All that can be done then towards &C.
euifing southern Kansas for the purpose
of maintaining an equilibrium" must b
done within that period. To make 9
State of the size of Kansas, with its pres.
ent boundaries, it would be necessary tc
extingnish the Indian title to nearly al
the Cherokee country. The Government
will not, If it so desires, be able to treat
with the Cherokees for their lands, or te
incorporate their country into Territory
within five, and perhaps not within ter
years. The question whether the Chero-
kee Indians viii agree to give up the ex-
elusive possession of their lands and throw
them open to white settlement, is one
which We do not propose to discuss at this
time. 1t is sufficient to say that the Gov
eminent win not deem it proper to make
use of the argument again which was en-
ployed to remove them west of the Mis-
sissippi. Knowing something of their CIV
ilization and jealousy of encroachments
by the whites, we are confident that theil
country cannot now be acquired, or the
integrity of their possessions disturbed
except by the use of means similar to
those above intimated. Therefore, if there
be open country, out of which to come a
new State, it is impossible to conceive
how the interests of freedom in southern
Kansas are to be jeopardized by the addi-
ton to this Territory of southern Ne
braska.
But it is said, also, by way of objection
that the introduction of this question al
this time, will seriously hinder and delay
the final settlement of our political diff
culties. Were this the apparent effect
the undersigned would most cheerfully
agree to postpone its further consideration
until such time as it might be safely dis.
cussed and prudently acted upon. But
in what manner does 1t complicate exist.
ing questions ? It's understood to be the
sentiment of the Free State men of Kan
sas generally, that the people should, by
means of q new Constitutional Copven-
ton, be allowed to frame a Constitution
for the State of Kansas. If this senti.
ment of the people is regarded by the
General Government, the questions which
have produced so much of the trouble and
embarrassment in this Territory, are o
easy solution. In that event, it is, we be.
lieve, not too much to expect that the
people will be allowed, or rather will as
sert for themselves "the right to form ani
regulate their domestic institutions In
their own way" How is the adoption o
the resolution under consideration to af
feet the Constitutional Convention The
proposition is made by the people Of Kan
sas through their Legislative Assembly
to the people of Nebraska, to take de
fined portion of their Territory and ex
tend over it the jurisdiction of the Stat,
of Kansas. If this proposition is accepted
by the people OF Nebraska, and Congress
confirms the stipulations, the business %
annexation is completed. But it viii b.
said that the people of that portion o
Nebraska to be so united, are entitled to {
voice in forming a Constitution for the
State of Kansas. This difficulty can bt
easily obviated by providing by joint reso.
luton, that the people of thai portion o.
Nebraska be invited to participate in the
Constitutional Convention, by and through
delegates to be chosen in accordance witt
the provisions of the Act calling suef
Convention. By adopting this plan
southern Nebraska would have her dele
gates in the Convention contemplated il
the bill now pending in this Assembly.
The undersigned would further urge a
a reason for the adoption of the resolution
that bill is likely to pass Congress pro
viding for the location and construction o
railroad across the plains to the Pacific
ocean.
That the location of that great road
through Kansas would add much to it.
wealth and importance; that there is {
strong probability, if not an absolute Ger
tainty, that the starting point of tha
great projected theroughfare will be i'm
mediasely south of the mouth Of thu
Platte river.
In the decision, therefore, of this ques
ton, it need not be urged that the Ieca
ton of the Pacific railroad is an importan
consideration. When completed, it vii
reflect honor upon the nation, and thos,
new States and Territories which it passes
viii be especially benefited by its con
struction.
Believing, therefore, that the best in
terests of our people, and those of our sis
ter Territory, would be promoted by sucl
an annexation, the undersigned woult
most earnestly recommend the adoption
of the resolution under consideration, ant
also one inviting the people of that por
ton of Nebraska Territory contemplated
in the resolutions, to send delegates 70 par
ticipate in the deliberations Of the Con
stitutional Convention.
All of which is respectfully submitted
EDMUND n. MORRILL,.