The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1858-04-17

Or THE CossTITUgIoEAL CesvEST1oS
-4axIssg THE PAssAagsF THE LkeeaPa

1st5Otcct, 4A1t d ptlltcur COp.s VI liz
able and eloquent address rspested 20
this Convention by Mr WincheH, as
Chairman of the Committee. on Remon-
STRANGE, against the adoption by Congress
of the LcconapfoR Censtitations through
the aid Of Federal bribery aud corruption,
be sent foJaTnes Buchanan, each meni-
Der of the Federal Cabnets 9iIes Cover
nors of different States, and al dRepresen-
faHives in Congress who may e Yar or sii -
per the Esconipton tisurpafien: :
Tate s5sga8e z ,ssfs fzollss II RePheseRta-.
tszes of The U9stssg sstatss -
The Coascntion row in session IN the
CITY of Leage8Rorth, for the purpose of
framing State Constitution according to
the provisions of q law passed by the
Territorial Legislature of Kansas, at its
last session, has charged the undersigned
with the solemn duty ofSremo Rstrating
with your honorable body against the pas
SAGE OF an act declaring the Instrument
known as the Leeomptou Constitution to
be the organic law of Kansas.
We shall not attempt, at this late day
to enumerate in detail, the causes or the
arguments which render it impossible for
the people of Kansas to acknowledge
the binding effect of that instrument
These causes are now matters of histori-
cal record and those arguments are
already before your honorable body and
the world. Bat as a duty which we owe
to our6ensfituents, and with resolute
hope that knows not encouragement, we
make, IN their name, a last solemn appeal
to that Tribunal which has ever been deaf
to our prayers, and shall plainly and brief
" present the facts which give character
to this issue, and show why loyal people
under professedly Democratic Govern
ment, are forced TO the verge of revo-
luton.
We demonstrate then, against the ap-
prevail of the Lecompton Constitution by
the Federal Congress, on the following
grounds:
/. It is notthe act of the people of
Kansas.
2. 1t has received from them stern
and overwhelming condemnation at the
ballot-box, by majority which leaves
no room for doubt.
g.. It's origin was marked by events of
such atrocity, and its contamination signal
lied by such glariDg frauds, as must ever
disgrace the records of the State it shall
create; and that people must inevitably
be demoralized, who are forced to the ac-
ceptance of such unworthy presidents in
place of those glorious traditions of lib
erty which should illuminate the early
history any republican government.
4. The very existence of this Conven-
| ton is conclusive evidence of the popular
will. After It's close, the result of its la
bors will be.subnitted to a vote Of the
whole people for approval or rejection
/ Until that decision is made, we earnestly
/ trust that Congress viii give us respite
/ from the sentence it has threatened to
/ pronounce. No just cause exists for this
| unprecedented haste. The people are at
length in the possession of government
/ which they have so modified as to render
! it endurable; and appeal, with every ar
gument of expediency and justice, TO be
permitted TO retain that government, un-
! til, in the exercise of their acknowledged
rights, they shall see fit to FIREPLACE it with
! one of their own creation and choice.
5. Congress cannot force government
upon an unwilling people, without ali as
sumption Of principles foreign and antag-
enistie to the Fundamental law of the
nation; and the exercise of an authority
subyersive Of the chief principles OF our
nation9l freedom. That all governments
/ derive tbeir Just powers from the consent
! Of the governed, is an axiom of 4meri-
can liberty, older than the Constitution
itself. That Congress may admit new
4 States into the UDion, is constitutional
admission of this principle, which leaves
without warrant all exercise of eompulso-
ry power. No State can be admitted,
except upon application: and the people.
Of Kansas have never applied with the
/ Leconpton Constitution. The one argu-
ment in favor of that instrument, Is, its
/ technical regularity in the steps taken for
/ its formation, zas the same time that the
popular will was frustrated By conspiracy
and fraud We will not believe that the
| Congress of the United States is prepared
! to ignore all the benificent principles of
/! law by dogmatic assertion that its sole
virtue exists in mere regularity of form,
and that no cons liberation is due to the
! true spirit and intent.
We rely, therefore, upon the represen-
tatiyes of an intelligent and virtuous peo-
/ pie to select that policy, which, in view
! of the extraordinary circumstances, is best
calculated to protect the sacred principles
of popular liberty, and avert the calamf-i
ties of civil discord. The people of
Kansas are the descendants of a race,
whose freedom has been transmitted as an
invaluable heir-lo for the inheritance
of their children. They are inspired by
| their convictions and their impulses, and
! by the glorious memories Of the past
maintain unflinchingly to the end, strug-
! gle which they believe is. to determine
the triumph of freedom, or of tyranny in
the Republic. They have in themselves
courage which no manifestations of
power can intimidate, and consciousness
of right which no political sophistries can
confuse and they possess a material
/ strength, increased hundredfold by the
constitutional btllwarks behind which it
is entrenehed. Their sufferings have won
/ for them the active sympathies Of nation,
/ too jealous of its liberties to see their
barriers broken down by the exercise of
] illegal powers by its representatives and
It's rulers. Against all external foes, the
federal government is strong to inyinci-
bility: but opposed TO such resistance as
i the people cf Kansas can offer this usuf-
patton, all its vast appointments viii but
serve to render more manifest It's utter
and absolute impoteney to the enforce
mentof It's tyranniealresolves. The fed
Eeral government eGanot conquer the peo-
pie of Kansas, because it ouelst not. Let
lit, then, pause for reflection before taking
the irrevocable step. Let it hesitate long
befofe invoking, by the exercise of Illegal
and tyrannieal powers, that fate which
always destroys those who conspire against
the liberties Of free and enlightened
! people. Lett resraee those steps which
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