Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1858-02-18

A
because they had determined a, all az
ards to adhere to their revolutionary or.
ganizaticn, and defeat the establishment
of any other constitution than that which
they had framed in Topeka. The elec-
ton was, therefore, suffered 10 pass by
default but Of this result the qualified
electors who refused to vote can never
justly complain.
From this review, it is manifest that
the Lecompton Convention, according to
every principle of constitutional law, was
legally constituted and was invested with
power to frame constitution.
The sacred principle of popular SOW
ereignty has been invoked in favor of the
enemies Of law and order in Kansas =
But in what manner is popular sover-
eighty to be exercised in this country, if
not through the instrumentality of estab-
lished law? In certain small republics
of ancient times the people did assemble
in primary meetings, passed laws and di-
reeted public affairs. In our country
this is manitesdy impossible. Popular
sovereignty can be exercised here only
through the ballot box /; and ii the peo-
pie viii refuse TO exercise it in this man
ner, as they have done in Kansas at the
election of delegates, it is not for them to
complain that their rights have been Vi
olated
The Kansas Convention, thus lawfully
constituted, proceed to frame consti;u-
ton, and, having completed Il cir work,
finally adjourned on the 7th day of No
vember last. They did not think proper
TO submit the whole of this constitution
to popular vote but they did submit
the question whether Kansas should be a
free or slave State, to the people This
was the question which had convulsed
the Union and shaken it to its very cen
ter. This was the question which had
lighted up the flames of civil war in Kan
sas, and had produced dangerous sec
tional parties throughout the confederacy
1t was of a character SO paramount in
respect to the condition of Kansas, as to
riyet tie anxious attention of the people
of the whole country upon it, and it
alone No person thought of any other
question. For my own par, when l IN
structed Governor Walker, in general
terms, in favor of submitting the cons,i-
lulion to the people, | had no object in
view except the all absorbing question OF
slavery. In what manner the people of
Kansas might regulate their other con-
Germs, was not a subject which attracted
amy attention. In fact, the general pro-
AFTER an experience Of eighty years, are
SO similar and SO excellent, that il would
be difficult TO go far wrong at the present
day in framing a new constitution.
| then believed, and still believe, that,
under the organic act, the Kansas CON
venton were bound to submit this all
important question of slavery 10 the pco-
pie. 1t was never, however, my opinion
that. Independently of this act, they
would have been bound to submit any
portion of The constitution to a popular
vote, in order to give it validity Had
entertained such an opinion, this would
have been in opposition to many prece-
dents in our history, commencing in the
very best age OF tie republic. 1t would
have been in opposition 10 the priuciple
which pervades our insti,u ions, ana
which is every day carrie out into prac
tice, that the people have the right to
del gate to representatives, chosen by
themselves, their sovereign power TO
frame constitutions, enact laws, and per-
form many other important ae 5, without
requiring that these should be subjected
to their subsequent appreciation. Ii
would be a most inconyenient limitation
OF their own power, imposed by the peo
pie upon themselves, TO exclude them
from exercising their sovereignty in any
lawful manner they think proper 1t is
true that the people OF Kansas might, if
they hal pleased, have required the con
vention to submit the constitution 10
popular vote ; but this they have not
done. The only remedy, therefore. in
this case, is that which exists in all 9th
er similar cases. If The delegates who
framed the Kansas Constitution have in
any manner violated the will of their
constituents, the people always possess
the power to change their constitution o,
their laws, according to their own plea
sure
The question of slavery was submitted
to an election of the people of Kansas on
the 2lst OF December last, IN obedience
10 the mandate of the constitution. Here,
again, fair opportunity was presented 10
the adherenls OF the. Topeka Constitu-
ton, if they were the majority, to decide
this exciting question . in their own
way" and thus restore peace to the dis
tracted territory ; but they again refused
to exercise their right of popular sover-
eighty, and again suffered the election TO
pass by default.
heartily rejoice that wiser and bet
ter spirit prevailed among large major
ity OF these people on the first Monday OF
January and that they did, on that day,
vote under the Lecompton Constitution
for governor aud other State officers, a
member OF Congress, and for members
of the legislature. This election was
warmly contested by the parties, and q
larger vote was polled than at any pre-
yious election in the territory. We may
now reasonably hone Al Mt the revolution.