Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-03-27

from the time he went there, had been diligently
persuadng all the people of the Territory TO throw
aside this inaction of theirs, come into the eec-
tions, and participate in the Government. For
this, Mr. Stanton says Governor Walker became
the object of utter hostility to Mr.. Calhopns party
They did not want cancellation. They demanded,
as the same witness says, repression. They wanted
penalty, not persuasion. They did not know what
the result of this persuasion might be In the cleo
tions Afterwards to take place on the constitution
1t was necessary, therefore, to make provision
against the possible effect of these persuasons
and arguments of Governor Walker; 1t was, there
fore, necessary to put in, though nobody opposed
them six thousand votes for the constitution, they
believing that that was majority Of the greatest
number of votes ever given on any occasion in
the Territory, and SO it is stated here They just
went beyond the line; and for fear of rendering It
more monstrous, and the fraud more visible, they
went just SO far as the necessity demanded the
fraud. They did not choose to use 1t superhuously
They rather husbanded it, to be used as the occa-
sion might require, and no more than was required
I cannot shut my eyes to this fact. These prepa-
rations, then, in the schedule of tho constitution,
We're made in anticipation of the vague dangers
that were apprehended. TWAS greatly important
to carry through this constitution, greatly import
ant to preserve their authority under the consti-
tuition. There were two Senators of the United
States to be elected All the officers Of the State
government were to be constituted These were
to be the reward Of those who had labored.
These seem to me to be preparations made for
fraud; and when come to compare them with
the action which took place afterwards, the design
and the act the purpose and fulfllment of 1t, make
the proof perfect. The means Of doing it, the
means of facilitating it. given in the consttu-
ton. The actual preparation Of it afterwards at
the polls is seen. It is seen in the election upon
Tf 10 stf fboa ali acfio nf fho
4th of January, for officers under the new consti
tuition. There is where these frauds, lately devel
oped, were practised to such an enormous extent.
There is where these little precincts distinguished
themselves.
Another fact may be noticed, that this conven-
tion to make constitution we're to meet, by law,
in September, and go to their work. They met
then. Did they 60 to work? No. Why did
they not There was an election OF the Terrific
rial Legislature to take place in the October fol-
lowing. They wanted to know the result of that
election; to know how the land lay whether all
was safe or rot; whether any point was necessary
to be guarded in the constitution; whether there
were any unexpected majorities rising up; whether
there were any Instructions in the way Of ordi-
nary frauds. They wanted to see what was the
character of the new Legislature that they might
meet the emergency and meet the exigency with
any constitutional provision that might be neces-
sary to perpetuate their power. They therefore
adjourned to a day after the election. The Le-
gisature was elected; and that Legislature. turned
out, Notwithstanding all the frauds that were
practced, to be against them. What then? The
Legislature being against them, now what is thepro-
vision they made in the constitution? The officers
of election, and other officers of the Government,
were, many of them, appointed by the Territorial
Legislature. They thought, Snow, here has come
in, in October Legislature opposed to us. What
SO likely but that they who have complained Of
frauds from Government officials, willnow change
the officers and change the mode Of election 7"
What then? They declare in the schedule that
all who are in Office now, shall hold their Offices
that all the laws in existence now, shall continue
in existence until repealed by Legislature which
shall meet under the State organization under the
constitution. That silences completely the Ter
ritorial Legislature, and parayzes its power. That
was a security against them, and left the conyen-
ton and its party 10 take the chances at the
future election to be held, by their officials, on
the 4th day of January last, as provided by them,
: and then they were to make another final death
struggle for supremacy; and then indeed, they did
have seen the report of the commissioners lately
appointed by the Territorial Legislature Of Kan
sas to investigate the frauds. There this Gov
ernment party did make efforts more than worthy
Of all their former practices in fraud, in order to
secure the Legislature, which, under the constitu-
tion, would make Senators Of the United States
1t was here that Oxford that Shawnee, that Kick
apoo, distinguished themselves in the multiplicity
Of votes, feigned and fraudulent.
When you see such things as these in the con-
sttution, when you see such things as these
all around the constitution when you see the same
men who made the constitution rulers in the land
during the whole time, do you not see that the
frauds have been everywhere, that the imposition
upon the people has been tverywheref ? And how
can you exempt from the contagion Gf there was
nothing more than this general association from
which 10 infer it) this constitution and those who
made itp Judging from the positive internal evil
denoe that exists In IT, and the facts that surround
Il, cannot. believe that TO impose il upon them,
violates the right Of the people TO govern them
selves. l believe this constitution Is the work OF
fraud-fraud upon the rights Of the people.
do not undertake TO defend the freesoilers for
their conduct. II Is not my part nor my province.
l should agree, perhaps, with the President that
much Of their conduct has been Of disreputable,
disorderly, and seditious character. Ii may be
that it deserves the epithet Of rebellion" which
the President applies TO IL. have nothing to do
with that. am not their advocate. have dis
approved oftheir conduct in many instances. There
were many bad men among dhem, as believe, but
for them the law assigns its proper punishment.
The majority Of the people have their political
rights, that remain, notwithstanding their legal
oienses. 1t Is in that point Of view, Il Is in their
political character as the people of Territory,
that we are now to regard them. Whether they
be more or less guilty one side or the other, Is
not the question. l fear that neither party could
take the chair Of impartiality and justice, and be
shameless enough TO attempt TO administer re-
buke TO the Other.
One great objection TO their admission at oil, Is
that they have not shown, by their conduct on any
side, that they are altogether 1T for association
with the States Of this Union. A little more ap-
premiership, little more practice Of honest and
fair dealing, little more spirit Of submission and
subordination 10 law and authority, would be
well learned by them, and fit and qualify them
much better for citizens Of the United States.
That is my opinion. have, however. spoken Of
their political rights men, and il Is not for me to
sit in Judgment TO condemn and deprive them Of
the wight Of suffrage one side or the other, be.
cause Of frauds committed by one, or violence
practiced by another. This is political question
Ii is said, however, that the series Of legaties
and technicalities, TO which l have alluded, Of a
regular election, ofa regular convention, Of sub
mission TO the people, and of votes of the people
upon all these questions, have been regular; and
what thenY Il is further said, on the other
side, that all the people had right to vote
and those who did not vote fo feited their right 70
complain and we are not to inquire whether there
were any people who did not vote, or whether