Freeman's champion., 1858-05-13


requires. In this matter Experience
has exhibited the Soundest theory
and development the safest practice,
and we are inclined to deem it wise
to adopt what experience indicates to
be proper and expedient.
The omission Of the word white
before the words "male citizen -
however, is what most excites these
indomitable growlersF This omis-
sion, to them, bristles all over with
untold horrors. It excites their i'm
agination until that buoyant power
hbodies-folth forms hideous beyond
compare-until they can see nothing
either in the foreground or the re-
mote distance, but Wool and Ivory,
Ebony faces and long heels!, And
they have SO wrought up their minds
upon this subject that any one list
ening to their trades would think
that already had an innumerable. train
of the blackest and ugliest Of negroes
commenced an Exodus from other
states with the expectation of finding
the Promised Land in Kansas! 4
These individuals sOiH not give the
simple and plain Interpretation to the
sentence which exercises them 80 ke.
verely. Under the LeaVenworth Con-
stitution every male citizen Of the
United States" &C., is to be voter.
When the question "who are citi-
zens Of the United States ?" is an
swered the whole matter is laid at
reNt. In adopting this as a qualifca-
tion neither the people OF state or
their representatives can in any wise
modify the qualifications essential to
citizenship under the government of
the United States, Those qualiica-
tions are established by the laws of
the United States and those laws
are expoundcd by the Judiciary OF the
United States, Whoever possesses
the qualifications required by the laws
oi the nation, as Interpreted by the
Judiciary will, providing they poss.
eSs other requirements set forth in the
Constitution Of the State, be voters
in Kansss until the people determine
otherwise through the ballot box.
Who can or will object to citizens
ofMe United States voting iu Kansas?
Even the Lscompton Constitution,
which recognizes the right to enslave
IN N, extended the right Of suffrage
to citizens Of the United States
would any man have the Constitution
framed by the Freedom loving por-
ton Of our people, any less liberal
than the Swindle? Has the word
white" been stuck into the Consti-
tuition 80 long that such instruments
must ever contain it for the especial
qualification of Caucasian eyes p
Whether or not people be more lib
eral and generous now than formerly,
is it not becoming to avoid invidious
distinctions when they are useless ?
Is IL to be supposed that even these
croakers would disiranchise the In
dians--the Red man---who have been
admitted to citizenship by Congress?
The Convention we'll knew that
there is wide diversity Of opinion
as to universal suffrage, and it believ.
ed that the people alone, by apOpu-
lar. vote should determine to whom
the right Of suffrage should extend,
in those cases where such q division
Of sentiment exist. To give the people
fair opportunity to decide the mat
ter for themselves the Legislature 10
instructed to submit the question to
popular vote, at its first session; at o
time far enough in the future to ad-
init Of its thorough discussion, and
the Constitution is so framed that the
will Of the people as then expressed
may be incorporated into a law which
will be Constitutional. And hence
whilst now the right Of suffrage is pru.
IDENTIFY guarded under it, there is lat.
itude for the people to make it as
general as they may desire to.
The omission Of the word white"
in the Article on Education, is also
made tho pretext for snapping and
snarling. The persons who take SO.
rious pains to cavil about the Leav-
euworth Constitution seem to be al
together incapable to comprehend how
All Organic Law should DO general In
its provisions in regard to those mat
tcrs about which they are crotchoty.
Respecting these things they would
have special laws incorporated in an
instrument intended only. to be tho
enunciation ofgenoral principles upon
which the government Of tho state il
conducted The Convention di,l