The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-01-07
Kansas Matters.

ulIs, we nave n ahSds huVlctb 70 The ZZd,
the day after the election was held ON the
slavery proposition submitted by the L.
compton Convention. The returns Of the
election arc meagre, but il is rendered Ger
tain that the Constitution ruth slavery has
been carried by large majority. In the
Free State localities, at Lawrence, Topeka,
&c, the polls were not opened. We Judge
that none but prosIayery men voted.
Secretary DENVER has assumed the t;ov
ernorship Of the Territory, and Issued an al
dress in which he exhorts citizens TO appeal
to the ballot box for the settlement Of diff
caltit~ lie makes copious extracts from
tbs Presdent's instructions "a Indicative of
the line Of policy he designs pursuing. lie
also states that Mr. CALHous invited him
and the presiding officers Of both Houses Of
the Territorial Legislature to I've present at
the counting Of the returns Of the election
held on the 2lst.
a convention Of the Free State men of
Kansas WIS 10 have been hold at Lawrence,
on the 23d The question to be decided by
the Convention, was the expediency OF going
into M election for State officers. Many
favor such course with view TO crush
the State Government. SrAxroxs name
was mentioned for Governor
A letter dated IAwmnce 2lsi. says Gen
LANE has gone TO Fort Scott, with the
avowed intention to destroy that place and
eytcrminate tho proslavcry settlers on the
Shawnee reservation, aud carry the war into
Missouri. General IAsg is fool.
The Kansas Legislature adjourned on the
18th.
Upon the lith inst, u law passed both
branches Of the Legislature, providing for
the organization OF tho Territorial militia.
This law repealed all the militia laws
enacted by the last Legislature. The new
organization takes place under the super.
vision Of q board Of officers, consisting Of
one major general, eight brigadlcr generals,
one adjutant general, one inspector general
one quartermaster general, one coInInissary
general, and one surgeon general. These
officers ara elected by the Legislature. The
governos of tho Territory IL member Of
the board, and ia commander. in chief of the
militia.
The military board has power to organize,
equip, drill, and put into scrviceable shape
the militia Of the Territory. A majority Of
the board arc empowered TO call out the
militia In any emergency, and TO act indie
pendent Of the commander in chief
This militia bill. after passing both
branches Of tho Legislature, was seu, to
SECRETARY STANTON Tor his approval. AMER
considering the matter two days, MIR. STAN
TON returned tho following answer
To the House Of Representatives." Of the Territory
If kansas
GgsrLENKs Herewith | return the bin emit
tied An act TO organize aud regulate the mill
tia Of tho Territory Of Kansas. which was
presented yesterday for my approval, but
from which ] am compelled to withhold my
sanction.
No necessity seems To me TO demand re
organization Of the militia at the present time
and such q measure IL not, In my Judgment,
iegitmateiy connected with the general pur'
Ia Al. 40 IA.
convened, Moreover, ! am deeply impressed
with the Importance 81 avoiding everything
which. at this critical junciure OF affairs, miga'
serve TO ifritatc the minds OF the people, and
arouse apprehe nsons, such ns might naturally
be engendercd by any military movement
whatever.
Looking 10 the provisions OF the bill itself.
dissent from that part Of Il which provides Tor
tho election OF general officers by the two
houscs OF tho Legislative Assembly. II any
change should be made from the present mode
OF appointment, am 81 opinion that the otii'
GERS In question should be elected by the peo
pie, or by those who are liable to be called IN
10 service under the law.
nu, the most fatal objection 20 the proposed
law, and that which il entirely conclusive 10
my mind, il 10 be found In the seventh section,
which authorizes "A majority Of the military
board To call out the militia In any emergency.
lily the organic act, the Governor of the Ter
,itory 10 made commander In chief OF tho mill
tia. and Is charged with the duty OF seeing tho
laws faithfully executed. The proposed law
would virtually depose him from his position !,
aud would place hun IN the power Of board,
CON posed Of the general officers " the militia.
including himself u IL true, but in which he
might al any time be c,errued 10y the major
iiy.
In my Judgment such law would be in dl.
rect conflict with the organic act, and would
therefore be null and void. II, however, II
might be considered legally valid, II would he
hostile to the acknow lodged principles Of civil
liberty, which require the subordina,ion of the
military to the civil power, To confer upon .
majority of the general officers Of the militia,
the power 10 Judge IL the occasion when the
military force OF the territory should DO called
into action. would he 10 establish military
despo,ism of the most dangerous and pernic ions
character,
With these objections return the bull IN
question TO the House IN which u originated.
fKEp. l.. STANTON,
Iseompton, Dec. Is, 1857.
Secretary STATIONS veto was expected
by all partirs The Legislature upon r.