The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-04-24
GrsatLstser Of Gov. Robert =. Walker 10 Ohio.
WASHINGTON CRY, March 5. 1858.

GEestLst:er Of Gov. Robert !. Walker 10 ohio.
WASHINGTON CRY, March 8, 1858.
MEssRs. 81. B. PAYNE AND OTHERS,
COMMITTEE: Gentlemen-Your letter of
the 22nd ult., has been received, invit-
ing me to attend and address mass
meeting of the Democracy of Ohio on the
10th of this month. Iregret that it viii
be impossible for me to be with you on
that occasion, but most cordially concur
in the great object of your meeting.
For the first time in our history an eff
fort is now made to. force Constitution
aud Government upon an inchoate State,
against the well-known will of large
majority of its people. Nothing can be
mere clear or conclusive than the evi-
dence demonstrating the fact that an over
whelmipg majority of the people of Kan
sas are opposed to the Lecompton Con-
stitution. This is indicated by the dis
franchisement of half the counties of
Kansas in the election of delegates to the
Constitutional Convention by the skel-
eton vote given to those delegates, averag-
ing not more than thirty for each by
the Withholding of the Constitution by the
Convention, against their well-known
pledges, from the people by the result
of the election of the Territorial Legisla-
ture in October last when both parties
participated by the miserable frauds and
forgeries perpetrated by the minority, to
supply the place of real electors and
finally rendered certain by majority of
ten thousand against the Constitution, in
the election holden on the 4th of Janua-
~ last. This last vote was taken under
the call of the Territorial Legislature of
Kansas, the same authority by which the
Convention was assembled, and this law
was enacted by that Legislature, before
any vote had been taken by the people
on the Lecompton schedule. Now the
Convention derived its authority exclu-
sively from an act passed by the Territori-
al Legislature, under the comprehensive
powers vested in that body By Congress
but before the act of the Convention was
consummated by popular vote, and
whilst as yet the whole proceedings were
imperfect, the Territorial Legislature by
valid law, authorized the people to vote
for or against the Constitution. The vote
under that law indicated an undisputed
majority of more than ten thousand peo-
pie of Kansas against the Lecompton
Constitution. Indeed one of the reasons
given why the Lecompton Constitution
should be adopted by Congress is this
that if it had been submitted to vote OF
the people. it would have been rejected
by them at the polls.
The fact then is proven incontestably
nay, it is conceded, that a majority OF
the people of Kansas are opposed to the
Lecompton Constitution, and that if this
Instruments ratified by Congress, it will
be forced upon that people against THEN
will. This is the great controlling fact
that stands out in bold relief, and thu;
presents lease involving that fundament
al principle of public liberty, and of the
Constitution, shall proved and admit
ted minority seek to establish .Constitu
ton and Government for the people of al
| inchoate State ? The great doctrine o
State rights and State sovereignty lies al
the foundation of all our institutions,
The most vital of all the rights of &
State is the establishment of Constitu.
ton, and if this right can be disregarded
by Congress, the whole doctrine of popu.
lar sovereignty and State is discarded and
overthrown. In doing such an act, we
are setting most fatal precedent we are
undermining the very pillars upon which
reposes the whole fabric of popular lib
erty we are permitting small minori
ty to supereede a majority in framing /:
State Government, and Congress is be.
coming the ally and accomplice of tha
minority overthrowing the rights of tn,
people. These are solemn and momen
tous questions. The real issue is, shal
the minority or the majority of the people
of State frame their Government
That is vital question it involves the
precise difference between Democracy ant
Oligarchy, Monarchy or Despotism. L
is the first and fear the last step towards
| the overthrow of our free institutions
and if this can be done now, and by al
authority so high as Congress, what vii
be the demand next made by the minori
ty? Why, that they, the minority, shal
control not only Kansas, but the Fedora
Government, under threats of overthrow
ing the Constitution and the Union. Il
submission is now yielded to this doc
! trine, it is very plain to me that the Fed
eral Government itself must pass into th'
hands of minority, and that the grea
| fundamental principle or the Constitution
! must be overthrown and subverted.
cannot, by single vote, for solitary mo
ment, sanction doctrine that must IN
dermine our system, and lead directly Il
anarchy or despotism. It is not the cas-
of Kansas alone on which we are now de
| liberating, but upon great, Fundamental
principle, which is now to be sustained
or subyerted. That principle comes HON,
to the heart and judgment of every elect
| or in the Republic. Shall the electiv,
/ franchise become an empty form ? Shal
the votes of the majority prevail, or shall
they be superseded by technical quibble
unworthy the consideration of statesmen
or by an established system of frauds ant
forgeries Shall the most clear and pal
| pable evidence, which would carry con
| yiction to the breast of any honest judg
or jury, be suppressed or superseded By
crimes that should condemn the author
and accomplices to disgrace and punish
ment There is great moral as wei
as political question involved in th'
controversy. We are asked not only t,
sanction the overthrow of great funda
mental principle of public liberty ant
the Constitution, but to approve also ;
series of frauds and forgeries, the mos
palpable and the most wicked, whicI
has ever disgraced any age or country
and TINS forfeit our own self-respect ant
/ that of the whole civilized world, whicl
must be spectators of this infsmy. /
there be any crime, which is more afro
cious than any other, it is the forgery o