The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-03-11

vene and annul, alter or even con-
strue the provisions of State Con-
stitution, and license the members of
the Legislature to disregard their
sworn obligations to support the
Constitution under which they hold
their Offices Where does Congress
obtain it's authority to tell the mem.
bers Of a State Legislature that they
are under no obligations in respect
and obey the Constitution with which
such State was admitted into the
Union, and that they may proceed TO
alter or abrogate it, in mode and
at time different from that autho'
rized and permitted in the instru-
ment? If the Lecompton Constitu.
ton be the act and deed Of the peo-
pie of Kansas, and if it be accepted
by Congress as such, and the State
be admitted into the Union under it,
| hold that there is no arfM mode on
earth to change or amend II, except
the one provided and authorized in
the Constitution itself. ! agree that
"thc will of the majority is supreme
and irresistible, when expressed in
an orderly and lawful manner But
the question is, when Constitution
has once become the supreme law Of
a State, what "lawful manner" is
there of changing it, except the one
provided and permitted by the Con-
stitutiony agree with the Prcsi-
dent, also, that "the people can make
and unmake Constitutions at plea
sure But how In what manner
is this to be doncy There are two
NOTES.-The one Mwful and the other
revolutionary. When a Constitution
has once become the fundamental
law Of State, there is no "ta'ctm
manner there can be no "lawinl
manner" of altering, changing, or
abrogating it, except in pursuance
Of it's provisions. II is true that the
right of revolution remains--that
great inalienable right to which our
fathers rcsortcd when submission
was intolerable, and resistance less
evil than submission. Hence if the
Lecompton Constitution be accepted
by Congress and the State admitted
under it, while there will be no Flaw
full manner" Of amending or abrogat-
ing it until after the year 1864, and
then only by the concurrence Of two
thirds of each branch Of the Leg'sla-
ture, in the first instance, followed
by majority vote of all the citizens
Of the State, and the concurrence OF
the two Houses Of the next Legisla-
turc-all prior to the election Of dele
gates, and the assembling Of Con
vention-yet the revolutionary right
will remain to the people Of Kansas,
to be resorted to or not according as
they determine for themselves that il
is a less evil to resi- st than TO submi,
10 a Constitution which was never
their act and deed, and never did
cmbody their will.
1t may he true that under this ter.
rible right Of revolution, If a major
ity Of the people desire to abolish
domestic Slavery within the State,
there is no other possible mode by
which this can be effected so speedily
Az by prompt admission ! but II
this "mode" be rcsoried Ia undor the
impression that il will abolish Sla.
very in Kansas more speedily than
any other possible, it must be- under
stood to mean revolution if success
full, and rebellion in case of failure
But suppose the line Of policy indi
Gated by the President should be pur
sucd-tbat X ansas be admitted under
the Lccompton Constitution, that Con
gress in the act Of admission recognize
the right Of "tbe Legislature already
elected, at it's very first session, u
submit the question n vote Of thu
people, whether they will or will mol
have a Convention 10 amend theiI
Constitution, and adopt all necessary
measures to give effect TO the popu
lar will !" suppose all this TO have
been done, Of what relief will it be
10 the oppressed people Of Kansas
unless Mr.. Calhoun should set aside
the fraudulent returns from Della
ware Crossing, or go behind the re
turns and reject the fraudulent votes
at kickapoo or Shawnee, or Oxford
or other precincts, in order n insure
majority in both branches Of thu
Legislature opposed TO the Lecomp
ton Constitution, and in favor of ar
immediate changey Unless tbs
Presiden, is prepared TO inform US
that this is 10 be- done, IL IL worse
than mockery 10 talk about the right
Of the Legislature, "n IL rery fra
session,r 10 submit the question TO thu