The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-05-01

draw parallel between these two Co1Sts-
tutioas: Topeka the child Of popular SOW
ereignty, and Lecompton, the Illicit or
spring of popular violence and Pfesiden-
tial intervention-a wretehed, bastard,
pfetsader,ecs scarce half made Hp,D that
now stands with brazen iaendacity at
your bar. q candidate for honers which
belong to legitimacy alone. .ss-sf
The former confessedly sprang sponta-
neously from the people, asking the resti-
tuition of their rights; the latter Is ties
spawn of usurpation. emitted BY spurious
legislation; and so far from having any
support from the people, it sinks away.
like convicted felon, from any submis-
ssonAof its pretensions TO the judgment Of
popular eeriiet. ,saEs8 ss5 IA .sssa5a
:. Mr.. CLEMENS, (inteErupingl do un-
derstand the gentleman from Kansas to
contend that the Topeka Constitution is
either legal or legitimate; and that he, q
Delegate from Kansas. maintsins, In the
discharge of his official duty, that Consti.
tution in preference to the Lecompton?
Mr.. PARROT. I said moment ago
that the people of Kansas had virtually
withdrawn their application under the
Topeka Constitution. In answer further,
however. to the gentleman from Virginia,
say do, in the discharge of my Official
duty, give the Topeka Constitution vastly
the preference In every point of view,
it is incemparably superior to the one
| framed at Lecomptop. I was going on
10 say word of the attitude occupied by
the friends and trainers of the Topeka
Constitution, IN relation TO the Territorial
Government. Those who made and up-
held this Constitution whilst it was lig-
| ing measure. so far from suhverting the
Territorial Government, have, in reality,
rescued it from the odium and imbecility
beneath which it was PROSTATE they have
lifted it from the ground, poured oil into
its wounds, and infused into its veins the
newness of life, through popular support.
Nay, more: they are the only defenders
OF. it against those who were its worst
enemies, while they enjoyed it by usur-
patton; and its only ones, now that they
can no longer wrest it TO their unlawful
ends. But, alasi with the departure Of
the rufian usurpation, has fed also those
charms which once captivated the affec-
tions of the Executive bosom. The
President no longer upholds this Govern
ment. 5
Enough has been said on this subject 10
show you that the specifications, on which
the President grounds his charges against
the people of Kansas, are palpably erro-
neous, as illustrated by the records of
! Congress, as we'll as otherwise.
The people of Kansas have borne and
forborne much for the sake of the Consti-
tuition and Union, which they revere.
conld, if my time permitted, point you to
some instances where they have suffered
outrages at the hands of the Federal au-
thorities, rather than adopt the dreadful
| alternative of resistance toits process. On
the 21st day of May they suffered band
of drunken blsckguards, because Uni
ted States Marshal, in abuse of his au-
| thority, march at their head, to oyefruu
and desolate one of the fairest and most
cherished towns of the Territory. Agnin.
/ in the same year, on the 4tf. Of July, what
do we see? That is sacred day. Par
tisan spirit, however rampant, is generally
exercised by the shades of the immortal
patriots that are evoked by the stirring
memories of that anniversary Of our ma
tionai freedom. 1t did not happen so on
/ this occasion. The people had assembled
to commemorate the day. and TO exer-
else the great constitutional right of con-
| sulting about public affairs
i While engaged in their pious purposes,
the sun in the meridian, the rattle of ss.
bres is heard, then the tramp Of armed
men, and the assembly is dispersed by
regiment of Federal dragons. Yet we
are told that the people of Kansas are
revolutionary, when these fagrant acts Of
| tyranny have been submitted 20, sooner
4 than raise an arm against the colors of our
country. Who is the President of the
United States, that be should dars to
! libel and insult any portion of the people,
/ threatening them with estraeism IL they
in servile compliance to the dogmatic ss-
rogaDce of his demands2 But for bis in
fidelity to two noted pledges. this Consti-
tuition would never have vexed the peace
of the country. The first was given in
the Presidential campaign, and was to the
effect that the people of Kansas should
T! be left free to form their domestic institu-
tons; and the second was his pledge.
Through Governor Walker, that the right
of passing on their Constitution should Be
secnred to them. The infrsction Of these
/ pledges has brought division and dismsy
|set the ranks Of bis followers. snd distrust
} Of bis designs to the country At large.
OBe word more of the people Of Kan
sas. They are the peers Of the President
I they are not surpassed by any people
lin this country, or any other country, in
i respect to those qualities which elevate
aud enneble the character Of communi-
ties in the scale of social, moral, or pcliti-
cal worth. Their misfortune Is their
merit-eoastancy to the cause Of Fres-
/ dom. The struggle i now ever; shsy
have won new empire Of inexhausfibls
! fertility On remote frontier; to them BE-
longs che imperishable honor Of the
achievement. They know the value Of .
good government none the less for having
tasted the bitterness Of bad one The
| settlement and growth OF Kansas in ma
teEial point of view, taking into considsra-
4 fson the discoursging circumstances that
have embarrassed her career, constitute
one. of the nobIest passages IN the great
| epic Of modern civilization. am proud
Of her past and sanguins Of her future.
FThs ehrysaiis Is just bursting into full
life; bseyant. elastic, and full Of strength
i to accomplish her high destiny. Her re-
sources. her climate, and her position.
tSliow that nature has put it ID the power
Of her people to make her shining sz-
4 aiaple among thsStates Of the Confsdera-
cy--s radiant gem. sparkling ie the geo
/ graphical centre Of the country. When
4 She Is PREPARED to come into tke Union--
which win b ere long--;t vii Be with
! Constitution anpointed, sezlsd5 and sane
i toned by the free sufIrssss ct the people,
1 in which 10 doabt or shadow Of susp spieioa
viii linger, as 70 ifs perfect scesptAncs.
4 Coming shas gently into che sistssAood Of