Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-02-27

same spurious, fraudulent and fictitious votes. so
returned and rejected in the late Territorial cleo
ton. To secure the nm object, they provided
that all laws then existing Quot those existing
when the State should be adnitted) should re-
main in force until repealed by a State Lcgisla-
ture, under the Con tltuon. The great mass
Of the people, unwilling to be the dupes of such
trlckery, declined voting in the manner proposed
on that Constitution, Dec. q, 1857. and the
Territorial Legislature was assembled by the call
Of Acting Governor Stanton. A vote was taken
on the 2lst December by the men appointed by
Calhoun, who returned TO him that there were
cast some 6,OO0 votes, adopting the Consttu-
ton with Slavery, as formed. What pro-
portion of those votes, or Of those cast for the
delegates, were fraudulent and spurious. we
have no certain means of determining. as the
Senate has declined instructing or authorizing
the Committee to obtain full information, or
clothing them with the means for that purpose.
We have, however, the authority of the presid.
ing officer Of the two branches of the Lcg,la.
turc, who were present at the counting of the
votes on the Constitution by invitation of said
Calhoun. for saying that not more than two thou
sand Of these were cast by legal voters of the
Territory
The Territorial Legislature, so assembled by
Acting Governor Stanton, passed act providing
that the people on the 4th Of January, 1853,
should cast their votes on said Constitution, ci
ther for II with Slavery or without Slavery, or
against the Constitution.
That vote was taken, and the vote against the
Constitution was more than ten thousand ma
jority.
The Convention provided for the election Of
state officers and Legislature under the Con.
s'ltutOn on the 4tl day Of January, 1858; but
1t was to be conducted by the same men 50 ap-
pointed by said Calhoun, and the returns made
to him As TO the voting at this State election,
the free-State people were much divided in
opinion. y large number declined to vote, as
they feared the doing would be unfairly in
sisted on by their opponents as a ratification of
''e H~--,''"''e" 90 -L;~L 'ho.. vPpusvi.
a part OF the rrce-State people, who had thus
voted against the Constitution, apprehending,
more especially from what wss contained in the
Presidents Annual Message, that Congress might
admit Kansas as State under and with this Con-
sitution, even though contrary 10 the will of
the people there, and unwilling, in that event,
10 leave the State officers and Legis ature IN the
hands Of the minority who framed and adopted
that Constitution, proceeded 10 vote at the elec-
ton Of those State officers at the polls conducted
by the men so appointed by SAID Calhoun.
The returns Of this election have been made
to sald Calhoun, but as the Committee have re.
ccvcd no power toinstituc inquiry INTO the true
character OF that election. we are unable 10 say
how Tar the well-prepared arrangements for sue
ceSsiu imposition have been carried into execu-
ton with impuniiy.
From what has been disclosed bv the investi-
cations before the Territorial Legislature, we
feel authorized to bolicve that the preparations
to defeat the will of that people have been cx-
tensyely executed, and their ultimate results de-
pend on the action of said Calhoun in a capacity
unknown as a legal officer, in no way subject to
prosecution or impea hment. That he will be
faithful to The ultimate purposes for which he
has 50 long and unscrupulousy labOred, that is
the making OF Kansas a permanent slaveholdng
State, whether It's people desire it or not we
have little reason to doubt, So far as he can do
1t with impuniiy.
The Territorial Government of Kansas was
never organized as provided in its organic act
that Is, by lis own people-bul was usurped
by foreign force, conquered, subdued by arms,
and minority installed in power, which has ever
since been sustained by the General Govern
ment, instead of being examined into and cor
rected. This has been done and sustained by
the General Government, instead of being eX-
amned into and corrected. This has been done
and sustained to establish and perpetuate Sla-
very,
The Lecompton Constitution is the result Of
his proceeding, and is contrary to the will of a
great majority OF that people, legally expressed
and the proceeding Of Congress, in It's discretion,
to consumate hi protracted atrocity and espcc-
ally for such purpose is violation of the fun
damental principle of republican government,
and can produce no permanent repose and sat
istaction.
The people of that Territory, in the late Ter
rltoria election, have reclaimed their rights and
that Territorial Government is for the first time
now moving peaceably on in its legitimate sphere
of promised freedom.
This Lecompton Constitution and its adoption
were concocted and executed to supersede this
triumph Of justice. To admit it by Congress is
but 10 give success to fraud and encouragement
TO inlqulty, and TO turn over that people, not to
an election fairly and legally conducted, but to
such State officers and legislators as said Calhoun
shall hereafter proclaim and such contingency
as he shall determine and bis present mvstcr-
Gus and ineXcusable indecision and reserve but
encourages expectations IN both parties ono of
which is certainly doomed to disappointment
From Dr. IiyingsOn Adyenures and bscoveries in so,,b