Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1858-01-12

that end. TIE Government especially re-
"cognises the Territorial act, sohseh pror1des
/" for assembling a contention to form con-
10 constitution, with view to making APP
"plcation to Congress for admission as
Estate into the Union" On the arrival
# Gov. Walker he assumed the same posi-
;on, and in his speeches at Topeka aud
.isewhere, before the day for the election
f delegates TO the Convention, pledged
he people, thas he would protect them in
he lawful exercise of the elective franchise
n that occasion. But the fanatics still
tubbornly and faotiously refused TO parti-
ipate in that election, although they had
very opportunity and guarantee that 1t
hould be fairly and legally conducted. So
decided and reSolute were they in this de-
ermnation. that Jim Lane declared with
n oath that if he chad thousand lives
q would sacrifice them in detail before he
yould vote in that election"
Ii was under this state of facts that the
Election was held and the members OF that
convention chosen. 1t is true that both
;ecretary Stanton and Gov. Walker had
declared that the constitution to be framed
hould be submitted to the people for ac-
"eptance or rejection. But in this they
nuuestionably transcribed their powers,
whether authorized so to speak by the
resident or not. On this subject the law
authorizing the convention was silent, and
he question of submission was left entire
~ within their discretion. Precedents ex-
listed to Justify either course they might
hoose to pursue. Their power and au-
hority could not be abridged or modified
~ this arbitrary assumption OF Gov.
Walker. or even the President. The con-
rention did not choose to obey the dicta-
ion of Gov Walker, neither did it choose
10 force a slavery constitution upon the
;eople without their consent. On the
reat distracting subject of slavery, the Vi
al and efficient fountain of all the ills that
fiicted the territory, the convention franz
G an alternative provision, which was sub
'aitted to the people for decision. This
vas all that had ever been asked by the
iree-State men. 1t was a full compliance
nth their previous demands. A free-State
convention was held at Topeka, on the 10th
If March, 1857, at which a committee
'7as appointed to prepare an address to
he people of the United States and Kan
as Territory" consisting of large num-
Der Of the most violent and unappeasable
If that faction, among whom were Gov.
johnson and NJ. J. Parrot, (the latter,
ince elected to Congress by the free-State
party). The address was prepared and
published over the signatures of these men,
nd the demand is thus laid down:
A" None are more devoted to our Union and
ur Constitution than the Free State citizens
# Kansas. For the institutions of orr coun-
~ none can have deeper or more loyal at
achment. But we believe the purity of our
government and the integrity of our institu-
ION can only be preserved by the admission of
Kansas as a Free State. And such, we are
)nvinced, are the convictions of large ma
jority of our population. Though the past be
roiceful with the wrongs and expressions to
,1hich we have been forced to submit-though
he marks of a tyrannous hand with which
70 have been scourged have not yet been
tfaced-we can forget it all and forgive, if
nipple justice be granted us in the future.
We Wish but that the sLaUery or freedom Of
tansas may be settled, once .toraU By an honest
md legal cote J'the actual residents, an dccor-
Gdnce Olth the principles Of the organic act"
The convention complied, and "the
lavery or freedom of Kansas might have
been settled, once for all, by an honest
md legal vote of the actual residents in
accordance with the principle of the Or
'anic act" but still opposing the laws of
: he territory, they chose to refrain from
Ioting on the 2lst December last, when
! he question was submitted.
From this outline of the history of the
Kansas complications and issues, it is clear
hat the free-State party of Kansas in the
neginning, threw itself in an attitude of
ntagonism and rebellion to the legally
Constituted and uniformly recognised au.
horities of the territory, and that they
ave maintained it; that they have at all
times had full and fair opportunity to
"ote at all elections, and to WELD Just such
Nower in the territory as their numerical
trength would entitle them to; that they
lave uniformly acted factiously; that, if it
',e true that they have large majority in
he territory, they could at any time pre-
ious to or on the 2lst December, have
ested that strength and made Kansas a
Iree State; that they have spurned the
privilege, and theirs is the responsibility and
lame for the consequences, rohdteuer they may
lie. They are without justification or pal
iation for their course, and richly deserve
'ebuke from all law-abiding and patriotic
citizens.
And the question is presented, whether
congress will obey the behests of a fac
zion, however formidable it may be, since
IL is none the less factionl Shall the
south surrender at discretion and kneel
ubserviently at the feet of her enemies,
md the enemies of law, and order and
.:ood government?
In assuming that Kansas should be ad-
,uitte under the Lecompton Constitution,
ye make no Endorsement of the admins
ration of Kansas affairs, nor of the act OF
he territorial Legislature calling con
rention as original questions. We are