Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1858-03-10

coad tutors in crime, waded through the
blood of martyrs shed in behalf of lib
erty, ON soil once consecrated to per-
petual freedom. Scenes that the veri-
est despot in the old world would shud-
to contemplate as acts Of his own, have
been produced and carried on in Kan
sas by the political aid of the leaders
and abettors of that political party
which would fain make us believe that
one cf its leading principles is respect
for and quiet submission to the will of
the majority.
And yet, sir, we are told by one of
the leaders of the party upon this floor,
(NIr. Cook that to say aught against
the President is equivalent to treason.
Yes, they cry 'peace, peace, when there
is no peace" They tell us to "cease
our complaint" " to "stop agitation" and
all will be well, and slavery, that dark
spot upon the escutcheon of the Amer
|sican Union, will soon cease to extend.
But, sir, we have become accustomed
to their wailings-are we too very
slaves, that we should obey them? If
it be treason for men living under a So
called Republican Government to exer-
else faculties with which an all-wise
Providence has endowed them for the
evident purpose Of enabling them to
protect themselves in the 'inalienable
rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness" then let the decree 90 forth
that every man in the Republican party
is guilty of treason.
am astonished to hear the Senator
from the seth OR, Tucker) declare that
he believed our forefathers did the best
they could when they framed the Con-
stitution and founded the Government,
in quietly submitting to compromises
on the subject of slavery for the sake
of peace and harmony.
Sir, it was not designed by them
when they wrote the Constitution, to
establish slavery-nor did they expect
that it would long exist-but they did
expect that it would be gradually abol-
ished. They did no act, and uttered
no sentiment, that did not look to this
certain result. If they had expected
its continuance as fixed institution in
the country-if they designed Or wished
to perpetuate slavcry-they would have
said so boldly and explicitly; they were
not cowardly men, that they dared not
speak freely and fully what they meant
and desired on this important and
threatening subject.
The Senator Mr.. Tucker) says: "The
Constitution gives the right for the ad-
mission of new States into the Union,
only with a Republican form Of govern
ment." Now, what is meant by a ere
publican form of government? Sir, it
is one which respects and protects the
rights Of the people, and the whole peo-
pie; one in which they have full and
free right to choose their own laws and
| constltution-subject only to the consti-
tuition of the United States.
In regard to the admission of new
states and territorial regulations, the
constitution provides in Art. 4, that
"New states may be admitted by Con-
gress into this Union," and that 'Ethe
Congress shall have power to dispose
of, and make all needful rules and reg
ulations respecting the territory or 9TH
er property belonging to the United
States" and that s'the United States
shall guarantee to every State in this
Union Republican form of govern
ment."
Upon these provisions are based
those laws which Congress has, from
time to time, passed concerning the ter
rltones and the admission of new states.
The object of these as well as all other
provisions IN the constitution, are set
forth i'll the preamble of that instrument
in these words:
owe, the people of these United
States, In order to form more perfect
union, establish justice, insure domestic
tranquility, provide for the common
defense, promote the general welfare,
and secure the blessings of liberty to
: ourselves and our posterity, do ordain
and establish this Constitution for the
United States of America
Here l stand, and here found my
land-marks-here is the bulwark of lib
erty-and 1t shows, beyond all contro-
versy, the intention of that noble old
instrument and its power, to establish
liberty throughout the territories for all
the people thereof. Such is the aim
and platform of the Republican party ;
this is its glorious mission and design
and it will never prove false to that
mission-it will never shrink from, nor
prove recreant to the great work and
high duty incumbent upon it, as the
protector and conservator of freedom
in the territories and new States.
Up to this time States have been ad-
mitted only when they have presented
constitutions which they were able to
show a maJorltF of the legal voters
were in favor OF: This proviso has be-
come, as 1t were, a law from constant
! usage. How is it, then. that Kansas is
restrained from the same liberty that
has been conceded 70 all the other
States IN the formation and presenta-
ton OF their hrst Constitutions? 1t can
not be sad mat am taking this to be
conceded tact Without due proctor
on several occasions have the people OF
Kansas decided bylarge maiorities that
thav Iacira5 q oons..,S,