The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-01-23

wv O0Ao1sf va O-A1Nt IL LlS laAtC - CG--
sage to the Legislature of .hat State, af- |
ter discoursing on banks, finance, and |
general subjects, speaks of the late fugi-
tive slave case in that State. and then
introduces the following on Kansas mat
ters: % 1asssalzsIssi
The same disposition to extend the
range of Federal power in disparasement
of State sovereignty and popular rights,
has been eonspicuously manifest in the
action of the Federal government in re-
gard to the Territory Of Kansas. From
tbs day when that Terfitoryswas deplivedl
of the safeguard of the Missouri prehibi-
bition by the passage of the Kansas Ne
braska act, the whole action of the Feder-
al government seems to have been direct
ed to the establishment of slavery within
its limits. Instead of committing in good
faith, to the people of the territory, the
formation and regulation of their own in
stitutions, all the influence of the national
administration has been exerted for the
subjugation of the people to the viii of
the propagandists of slavery. The whole
practical effect of the Kansas Nebraska
act has been the substitution Of Presiden-
tial Intervention against slavery. a -
Without resistance or rebuke from the
! National Administration, the actual resi-
dents Of Kansas were driven from the
polls at the first territorial election, and a
pretended Legislature was imposed on an
Unwilling people by the fraud and force
of invaders from an adjoining State. The
people harrassed and outraged beyond en-
durance by the tyranny of the usurping
Legislature and its instruments, who were
countenaneed and aided by the Federal
efice-holders, sought relief in State or
ganization. Through convention as
sembled at Topeka they framed State
constitution, and, after its ratification by
the popular vote, sought admission under
it into the Union. Their prayer for such
admission, though granted by the House
of Representatives rejecting the win aoi
the people, was denied by the Senate re-
/ fecting, in this, the viii of the Slave
Interest. -t..fr..h 80, ir.4s
Every Federal officer in the Territory
who manifested any sympathy with the
|, people, was from time to time removed
and bodies of troops were sent to compe
submission to usurping power.
!. A few months since, under an act which
practically disfranchised vast majorit,
> of the citizens, apretended election wa
, held for members of convention TO fran,
, another constitution. This conYentioI
was constituted, as was intended, exclu
sively of the partizans of slavery. I
framed, of course, slaye-stste oonstitu
ton, and provided for its Transmission +
Congress without previous submission t
the people for ratification. It proposes
indeed tosnbmit'to popular Judgment th
question of slavery or no slavery, but s
framed the terms of submission that n
matter how the people might vote, slave
: ry would in any event exist in the ne,
State,.if admitted into the Union unde
: that Constitution. aotB s.grs.aai =
: pa Happily, subsequent to the election c
: the Constitutional Convention, the perio
: for the second election of Territoria
Legislature arrived, and at the electio
then held, the actual residents of the Tel
ritory succeeded in electing majority Q
its members in both branches. The pee
pie, Knocked and insulted by the proceed
$ ings Just narrated, now Invoked from tn
Secretary of the Territory, acting as Gov
ernor, the convocation Of this body. Fo
compliance with this just demand, th
Secretary was removed from Office. Fo
!, ! expressing himself in opposition to th
admission of the State into the Union
under the Constitution of the Convention
and without previous submission to thI
people, the Governor of the Territory fel
under such displeasure of the Admins
. tration, that he was constrained to resign
! his position. If the power and patron,
age of the Federal Government can Sc.
cure the admission of Kansas into the
i Union under this slave-State Constitution
} that power and patronage viii, withou
doubt, be actively employed TO that end
In ell this the people of Ohio have
deep and vital interest. 1t is beyonl
question that vast majority of her elec
> tors are opposed to this interposition o
the Federal Government In behalf oI
}, slavery. / trust that the General Assem-
} bly, will give emphatic expression to th,
!, sentiments of the people, -
1t cannot fail TO arrest attention that al
these encroachments of the Federal Gov.
eminent upon State Sovereignty and upor
the freedom of the Territories, arise from
determined purpose on the part of those
| who control its action to extend the do.
main, and enlarge the power of slavery -
!. Under this influence the ancient andorig
inal policy of slavery prohibition wa.
overthrown and reversed by the. Kansas
Nebraska act. Under this Influence th,
whole power - National Governmeu
has exested 10 TO- slavery upon the re-
Iuctant people of Kansas. Under thil
influence, also, persistent attempts arr
made to subjugate the people of the Fret
States 70 Federal domination, through ths
| administrationof the Fugitive Save act
Under this influence, finally, the Federal
judiciary has promulgated the revolving
doctrine that the Constitution of the UnioI
establishes aud guarantees slavery IN al
4 national territory, and consequently thai
there is no foot of our widely extended
domain, outside Of States whose Consti.
tutions prohibit slavery, where the fres
labor can find home exempt from ths
intrusion of that very peculiar institation
This rapid progress of despotism can.
not fail to arouse and tx the attention o.
rejecting people. 1t forces upon th.
coanffy fnementous issues between tws
4 opposite systems of governnens-s Two op.
posite theories of the constitution Thes.
issues are radical and vital. Shall th.
i government Of this country be admins
i teredby the people, for the people, On b;
q aprisileged class, for privileged elass ?
!, Is the Constitution in fact, What il Is nos
reclaimed to be. the bond and guaranty D
!, slavery; or what the Fathers Of. the Be
I public believed It to Be. the shield and
j safeguard:of Liberty DOES il establish
: slavery everywhere. euside Of Fre'
; States, or Liberty everywhere outside o
Slave States !? Shall the power which i
4 eonfers be used for the extension and per
i Petuatio1, every Shere. sof human bond
age or human freedom 2 zs aav 3
Il - ~.x,<,r, 41..as -