The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-01-09
Proceedings of the Democratic Territorial Con.
vsndon. A
LEAvEswoBrH CfTY, K. ID
December "a. 1857.

Convention, In which was represented
different portions of the Territory, assem-
bled at noon to-day at Market Hall'' in
this city, and organized by the Hon. S.
w. Johnston being called to the Chair,
and by the selection of Robert L. Ream,
ESQ.,. as Secretary.
On motion the following gentlemen
wefe appointed Committee to report
officers for the permanent organization of
the Convention, viz : J. Fl. st. Matthew,
G. ". Purkins, J. a. Haldeman, Fl. B.
Denman, and DR.. L. L. Bedell. The
Convention thereupon adjourned until six
o'clock, P. NJ.
Dec. "a, 1857, 6 o'clock, P. NJ.
The Convention e-assembled pursuant
to adjournment. When the Committee
on permanent organization through its
Chairman made the following report, for
permanent officers of the Convention
Hon. Sanders w. Johnston Presi-
dent.
Amos Rees. DR.. John OiBrien, DR.. ].
qarvin; Col. Eye, and A. B. Bartlett
Vice Presidents.
r. L. Ream, J. C. Hemingway, S. W.
briggs, and V. B. Young-Secretaries.
On motion the report was adopted.
Judge Johnston accepted the position
assigned him III forcible and pertinent
speech in which he fully stated the OBJ
ject Of the Convention.
Thereupon Committee of seven, con-
sisting of the following gentlemen were
appointed to draft and report resolutions
expressive Of the sense of the Conyen-
ton; also, suitable memorial to Con-
gress, viz: 6. W. Purkins, Col. J. P.
Slough, Jas. Christian, j. Halderman, Fl.
B. Denman, j. H. st. Matthew, and E.
L. Berthoud.
The following gentlemen responded to
the call of the large assemblage present,
and addressed the Convention, viz &c.
w. Purkins, S. W. Johnston, J. G. Hem
ingray, A. Macaulay, Amos Rees, and
Others.
The Convention thereupon adjourned
to meet on Saturday, the 18th inst, at
O'Clock, ?. NJ.
Dec. &c, O'Clock, P. N.
The Convention met pursuant to adj
journment.
The Committee on resolutions and me-
mortal through their Chairman reported
the following:
PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS.
Whereas, A Convention recently as
sembled at Lecompton, framed and pub
lished to the world an instrument, which
they styled "a Constitution for the State
of Kansas" and which they refused to
submit to the people for their approval or
rejection, and
Whereas, The opportunity has not been
presented to the people of this Territory
to give an expression of their opinions as
contemplated in the Nebraska Kansas
Act, expressed in the Cincinnati Platform,
and directly and expressly re-afirmed in
the instructions of President Buchanan
TO Governor Walker, in the following
language" That when such Constitu-
ton shall be submitted to the people of
the Territory, they must be protected in
the exercise of the right of voting for or
against that instrument" and
Whereas, such refusal to submit that
instrument was in direct violation of a
cardinal Democratic principle, the right
of the people to lf-government, the
principle that alone brought the present
Administration into power, and without
adherence to which it must be powerless.
Therefore, we, the Democracy of the
Territory of Kansas, in Convention as
sembled, do hereby Tesolue,
1st. That we utterly repudiate the ac-
ton of that Convention, as anti-Demo-
cratic; as contrary to the true exposition
tive of the letter and spirit of the Gin
cinnati Platform as opposed to the In
augural Address of President Buchanan !;
as IN direct conflict with his instructions
TO Gov. Walker as ain infraction of the
Constitution Of the United States; as at
variance with the true theory of Repu5-
lican Government; as destructive to the
right and in derogation OF the capacity of
the people for government; as against
the doctrine of non-intervention as an
entire abandonment of the doctrine of
State Rights; and as calculated to sever
the bonds of the Union.
End. That this Convention, represent
ing as it believes it does, very large
majority of the Democracy of Kansas,
take this occasion to announce and relter-
ate its united and determined opposition
to Sectionalism and Fanaticism springing
from any and all quarters, whether East,
West, North or South; that such section
alism and fanaticism are notin accordance
with the principles of confederated
Union of the States, but if INDUCED and
sanctioned by the people are certain to
produce rupture of the bonds which
hold them together. Nor does this Con-
vent on the less deprecate and denounce
every invasion of this Territory by per-
sons living outside its limits, with view
of controllingits election, and out of which
invasions have sprung great many OF
the disturbances and troubles in the Ter
ritory, and which have led to innumer-
able and gross frauds, both disreputable
to those committing them, and at wal
with the rights and interests of the peo-
pie of Kansas.
Sd. That the ballot-box was not pro-
tected from fraud on Monday, the 2lst Of
this month, but the returns, SO far as they
are known, indicate very clearly that
very large number of the. votes returned
were not cast by citizens of this Territory
but by persons who came into 1t on thai
day and by invitation for the purpose Of
voting and for that purpose alone.
4th. That this convention cordially
endorse the administration in this Terri
tory of Robert J. Walker and Frederlei
P. Stanton, as strictly in obedience to thu
instructions of the President; as conso
nant with the faith of the Democratic
party; as corresponding with the true inten
and meaning of Popular Sovereignty ane
as protective alike of the rights of th'
people and of the peace and tranquilit!
of the Territory.
9TH. That the especial praise and com
mendation of the Democracy of kansa
are due and are hereby rendered to tn
Democratic Press, North and South, TO
their unfaltering devotion to the doctrine
of Self Government and to the ",oiu of til
maiority,"-and that in their oppositiol
to a minority Constitution about to b
nrasaptad IN CONGRESS- they reflect tn