The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-02-18

them opportunities, II in the majority, q
making X ansas free State according 70
their own proi,ssed desire, could not be con-
Quoted without collision aud bl0odsbed -
The truth is, that until the present moment
the enemies u the existing Government still
adhere to their Topeka revolutionary Con'
stitution and Government The very first
paragraph of the message Of Gov. Robinson
dated the 1th Of December, 10 the Topeka
legislature, now assembled at Lawrence,
contains an open defiance Of the laws and
Constitution Of the United States. The
Governor says:
The Convention which framed the Topeka
Constitution originated with the people of Kan
sss Territory. They have adopted and ratified
the same twice BY direct vote, also Indirectly
through two elections for State officers aud
members u the stats Legislature yet II has
pleased the Administration 10 regard the whole
proceeding as reSolutionary.'
This Tepcka Government, adhered 10 with
such reasonable Fortunately, is Govern
ncnt in direct opposition to the existing
Government prescribed and recognized by
Congress.
II il usurpation Of the same character az
il would be- for a portion Of the people OF
any State T. undertake to establish sepa-
rate government within its limits for the
purpose Of re,lressing any grievance, real or
imaginary, Of which they might complain
against the legitimate State Government --
such principle, il carried into execution,
would destroy all lawful authority and pro
duce universal anarchy. From this state
ment Of facts, the reason becomes palpable
why the eneincs Of the government author
izsd by Congress have refused 10 vote for
the delegates TO the Kansas constitutional
Convention, aud also alterward, on the ques-
ton Of slavery submitted by il to the People.
II il because they have ever refused 70 sane
ton or recognize any other constitution than
that framed at Topeka. Had the whole
Lecompton Constitution been submitted To
tho People the a,lherents Of this organizati on
would doubtless have voted against il, be-
cause, IL successful, they would thus have
removed the obstacles out Of the way OF
their own revolutionary constitutions they
woud have done this not upon the eonside
ration II the merits Il the whole or part OF
the Iecompton Constitution, but simply be-
cause they have ever resisted the authority
Of the government authorized by Congress
from which it cmanated,
Such being the unfortunate condition OF
affairs in the Territory, what was the right
o. we'll ~ the duty Of the aw.abldlng peo.
pie. W,ro they silently and patiently to
.ubmi, to the Topeka usurpntioD, or to adopt
the necessary measure to establish Con.tl-
lation under the Authority Of the organic
law Of Congress! That this Inv recognized
the right OF the people Of tho Territory,
without au enabling act Of Congress, to
form a State Constitution, ia too clear for
argument. For Congress to leave the
people oi tho Territory perfectly Tree ~ IN
framing their Constitution, ITO form and
regulate their domestic institution, in their
own way. subject only 10 the Constitution oi
the United States and thea 10 say that
they shall not bc permitted 10 proceed and
frame the Constitution, IN their own way
without express authority from tongr,~
appears tu bo almost contradiction ~
terms. II would he much more plausible Ia
contend tina, Congress had no power to pass
such an enabling act. than 10 argue that tho
pvople 81 Territory mast be kept out OF
The lnos for an indefinite period. and until
It might please Congress 10 permit them to
exercise the right OF sclfgovernment. This
would b. Ia adept no, their own way, but
the way which Congress might prescribe
I, IL impossible tina, any people could have
proceeded with more regularity In the found
alton Of Constitution than the people OF
h ansas have done. II was necessary. first,
90 ~ crtiin whether II was the desire .l the
PEOPLE 10 bc relieved from Territorial de.
lend nee anil establish State Government,
For this purpos" the Territorial Legislature,
ia l~J5, passed law for TAX lng the sense OF
the pcoplc Of the Territory upon the expo
dieucy OF calling Convention to form Il
stat, Constitution at the general election 10
be held in October. lsh6. The sense Of the
people" was accordingly taken, and they
leclJcj IN favor OF Consultation.
1t X true that at this election the Oncmic-
~ the Territorial Government did not vote
because they were then engaged at Topeka
without the Slightest prcicNt OF lawful au.
thcrity N framing constitution IT their own
Tor suhytrtlng the Territorial Government
lu pursuance Of this decision of the people
ia favor oi the Convention, the Territorial
Legislature, on the eth of February, 1887,
passed on ac, for the election Of delegates
On the third Monday Of Jnuc, lsj7, To frame
State Constitution. This law Is as fair in
its provisions as any that ever passed l,g
ilaiiyc body for similar purpoe, The
right OF suffrage at this elccticn Is clearly
and Justly dcaned every bona dde citizen
81 the United States, above the age Of TWEEN,
ty.c~ and who had resided therein ,hnc
months prcycu, TO that date. was entitled
10 vote In order 10 avoid all interior
cnce FROM neighboring States ami Terrific
fcs with the freedom and fairness Of the
election. n provision was made tor the regis
try Of qualified voters, AMI pursuant Thereof
a2Al voters were registered Gov Walker
did his who'c du,y IN urging all qualified
citizens OF Kansas 10 vote al this election.
In his Inaugural Addoss on the 2,;h OF
May. he inforn.cd them that