Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-02-03

finally adjourned on the 9TH of November
last. They did not think proper to submit
the whole of this constitution to the popu.
lar vote. but did submit the question, wheth-
err Kanzas shohld be free or slave State,
to the people. This was the question which
had convulsed the Union and shaken it to its
very centre.
This was the question that had lighted the
flame of civil war in kanzas, aud produced
dangerous sectional parties throughout the
confederacy. 1t was of a character so para
mount in respect to the condition of Kanzas,
as to rvet the anxious attention Of the people
of the whole country upon it alone. No per-
son thought Of any other question. For my
own part, when ! instructed Gov. Walker in
general terms in favor of submitting the Con-
stitution to the people, had no object in
view, except that all-absorbing question of
slavery In what manner the people of Kan
zas might regulate their other concerns was
not the subject which attracted my attention.
In fact, the general provisions of the previous
State Constitutions, after a general expert
ence OF eighty years, are so similar and excel
lent that it would be difficult to 60 fa1 wrong
at the present day, in framing a new Consti-
tuition. then believed, and still believe,
that under that organic act the Kanzas Con-
yention was bound to submit this all lmpor-
tant question of slavery to the people.
1t was never my opinion, however, that 1,
independently Of this act, would have been
bound to submit any portion of the constitu-
ton to popular vote, to give it validity. Had
L entertained such an opinion, this would
have been in opposition to the principles
which peryaded our institutions, and with it
every day carried into practice. That the peo-
pie have right to delegate to their represent
atiyes their sovereign power, to frame costitu-
tons, to make laws, and to perform any 9TH
er important acts without reqring that these
should be subjected to their subsequent APP
probation, it would be most inconsistent
limitation of their own power, imposed by the
people upon themselves, 10 exclude them
from exercising their sovereignty, in any law
ful manner that they saw proper.
1t is true that the people of Kanzas might,
II they had pleased, have required the Con-
ventlon to submit the Constitution to popu-
lar vote; but this was not done. The only
remedy, therefore, in the case, is that which
exists in all other similar cases. If the dele
gates who framed the Kanzas Constitution
have in any manner violated the will of their
constituents, the people are always possessed of
power TO change their constitution or laws at
their own pleasure The question of slavery
was submitted to the people on the Dist of
December. In obedience to the mandate Of
the constitution, the adherents of the Tope-
ka Constitution, if they were in the majority
had again "a fair opportunity to decide this
exciting question, in their own distracted ter
ritory. But they again refused to exercise the
right OF popular sovereignty, and again suf-
tered the election to pass by default. | hear
tlly rejoice that wiser and better spirit pre-
vailed among large majority of t-lese people,
on Inc hrst Monday IN January. and that
they dlu on mat aay vote under the Lecomp-
ION constitution for governor and other state
Omcers'
Inns eIectlon was warmly contested by the
party ana larger vote polled than at any
previous vote IN The territory We may now
ieasohaoly nope that me revolutionary Iope-
ka organization VIII De hnaliy abandoned.
ana t ms. VIII go FAR towards a settlement OF
the alHerence IN Aanzas. II frauds have
oeeh committed at TINS election by one or
Doth pafues, the Legislature and the people OF
hanzaS' uhuer TINS Cohstituuon' know how
tostobio M ~" Pu.Sn .em ue
"''''00' ou' M
Tho noo,lo &c Kono.
,vo - :, "a A"l'1H9 ii"Se tneh tne'i OWN
ic ior fraroad IA t,io
ernr,on+ havo ~Lr,;ttoa ~ III 80 soy
ouest;on oS s,a,a,, ~ a., 'an to.,'
elected Govor,,or H. f S ~
State Iegis,eturo and - S.
now ask admissior mt ,bo IT,, 49,.
this const;tntion BernbI;oon IN ~ fon,, D'it
for Conoress r. decide vgbothor +ho,,' Iii "a
rit or Teioo+ tbo So ,,t,ioS - a., w.
creatod H. ~, 80 l.o:S,1"
favor Of his adynissio6 and 49, tarn! ~
tho .Kor1as omaa,;on ~. ,,,ii, -.''o '..
tho oroat r;rdirIo - 49,, ;,t.u,; ~
docloros r, "ii .t
~intoryont;an ~ Cennsoss "a ~ y, VIC
in the Statos ond tarr;tor;os
Mo froo - ,or,,'la+o ..
in ,beir w., ~, ~ NV
tpt;on of rho TfYitad STatos ~ Ho-lSs-
locoIi1;no ~ a,,ast;o1, ~ .lanor-, I
tnina II 70 rho naonio ~ oro ,.,.d ~
oonne,noJ az
tbot tbooos4io, y,ae,,I5 bo naintSy "a
halls Of 1,onoross 1,horo - LaI - ~
erted brnef9I nFnenco tbronnho,,+ "a
~, - -'-- iiou' inc ooui-
IL Is proper that should refer to the cleo
ton held under the act OF the Territorial Leg
lslature IN January, or the Leeompton Con-
sntuuon' 1t was held after the Territory had
oeen prepared Tor admission as sovereign
state, aud when no authority existed in the
Legislature which could destroy It's existance
or change Its character.
Inc election, peacaoly conducted under
my instructions, involved strange inconsis-
tencies' The large majority OF persons who
voted against the Lecompton Constitution,
were' at the same time and place. recognizing
Its valid existence IN the most valid and Ru-
thenuc manner OF voting under Its provisions.
have as yet received no ofhcial information