Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1858-03-03
AMDMISSION OF KAESAS.

o which was referred certain resolutions re-
ating to the admission of Kansas into the u
aion as State, made the following report
That the Committee, in addition to report
ing back to the Senate the resolutions referred
to them-the one with a recommendation that
it be indefinitely postponed and the other ia an
amended form-deem 1t proper TO state the
grounds upon which their action is founded.
So pertenacious and vehement have been
the efforts to render this measure of admis-
sian obnoxious and unpopular, and SO much
is the peace aud harmony of the country in
volved IN correct understanding of it, that ,
your committee believe that some examiDa-
ton of the subject in the Legislature, to be |
followed by the expression of its judgement,
in the form of a resolution, will disabuse the
minds Of many FROM false impressions, and
have saltary effect upon the public opinion.
Our experience in Pennsylvania in ma
king and amending Constitutions may be ex
| amined to aid US in solving the difficulties of
| this Kansas question. For that purpose some
| reference will be made to our own constitu-
| tional history 1776, In consequence of
circular from the Committee of Safety from
Philadelphia to the Committee of the several
counties, enclosing the resolution of the Con-
tinental Congress of the 18th of May, mem
bers were appointed from the several counties
! to provincial conference, which met in Phil
adelphia on the 18th of June, and adjourned
finally the 25th of the same month. This
conference recommended the election of dele
gates, to assemble in convention, and form a
Constitution for Pennsylvania, as an indie
pendent State and provided the manner in
which the elections for that purpose should
be held. In consequence Of this recommen-
dation, delegates were chosen by the people,
who assembled in Convention on the 18th
day of July, 1776, and proceeded to form
the Constitution of that year, without submit
ting it to vote Of the people or other process
g of ratification. That Constitution, it will be
seen had a revolutionary origin, and 1t con-
{ tinued In force fourteen years, until 1890. 1t
: contained some faults which disturbed It's
S practical operation The legislative depart
q mcnt consisted of sinle body, as in colonial
r times, an Executive consisteg of a Council
J. and President, the latter being selected by the
IS joint vote of the Council and Assembly A
e council of censors Was also established wh'
= we're to review, from time to time, the con
'e duct of the different departments of the gov
n ernment, and report to the people any viola
10 tions of the Constitution by either; and the,
g were empowered; by two-thlrd vote of thei
lie number to call Convention to amend th
1t Constitution, A single Legislative body,
d plural executive. and censoral c0uucil t
le criticise official action, but without power t
is enforce its judgement, were the three capita
m errors of that Constitution; and of the arrang
I'd ment for amendment through the action c
r the censors was found to be lmpracticable.
Ill majority was in favor, at one time, of 4 Con
It's yention, and at another, against it; but at n
Ill time coul. an affirmative two-thirds vote
he obtained. Finally, under the pressure of n
be cessitv in favor of change, the subject wa
pit taken up by tho Legislature, and on the 2+t
he of March, 1889, iu General Assembly, resc
ds lutions we're adopted setting forth that alter;
les tions and amendments to the constitute
ry were Immediately necessary; reciting from ii
les Declaration of Independence the assertion
int he right of the people to alter abolish the
les government, and to institute new one, al
of also the clause of the bill of rights in the til
ing existing constitution THAT government
or. ought to be, instituted for the common b
the fit, protection and security of the people, l
to ton or community, ard not for the partieu
ble emolument or advantage Of any single m;
at family, or set of men, who are part only
E of that community-hath an indubtable. a
ere unalienable and indefeasable right to refor
on alter, or abolish government in such mani
the as shall be to that community judged IL,
his conducive to the public waal." From
ana which, as well as the nature of society and
lary principles Of government, 1t manitestly
at a peared that the people have. at all times,
the inberant ri.ht to alter and amend the form
, at government in such manner as they s.
tory think nroner: and that they are not
i be cannot he limited to apy certain
luch or mode of accomplishing the same, but l
lnict make choice of such method as may be
lded adapted to the end proposed. and that fur
ltled reasons assigned the delay of the mode
Vlo- scribed in the Constitution for amendn
ought not to be admitted. 1t was thare
proposed and earnestly recommended to
lher- citizens of the Commonwealth to take
oops, sub;ect int, tbeir ser;ous consideration
o"h' if they concurred in opinion with the Ass
"Trip bly,, that Convention for the purpose of
Aoi- vising and altering the Constitution OF
State ought to be called. 1t was subn
Avei to them whether it would not be conver
/ $40 anu pioP,,i W ei.e. - .1n.:~- "a
4 eso upon their pleasure being signifed at
5'ss5 next sitting, it would provide by Law
s .939 time and place of the meeting of the Con
? ,9a9 ton, and for the payment of expenses IN
nous red thereby. These important resolui
o .ex- were adopted by the decisive vote of forty
ex- to seventeen. At its next session the
than eral Assembly called Convention ''fo
ently purpose of review, and if they see occa
es in altering and amending the Constitution {
ngers State" The resolutions for that pu
used, were adopted BY vote of thirty mine to
} and enteen on the 10Th of September,
vol These Legislative proceedings resulted
hire, Constitution of 1890, and would seem to
), and justified by the reasons assigned. and I
,thing further one, that although the Constitut
rvice. 1776 provided a mode of amendment,
not forbid other modes; and that therefo
as has ordinary aw-making power could not il
j ohm the necessary proceeding of change.
J, to a Constitution of 1870 was proclaimed b
entuc- Convention and put IN force by 1t, VII
.idger, any submission of the instrument or any