The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-06-12
why III. English Proposition Should b. Voted

dom on this subject, we considered the
effect that vote of acceptance of this pro-
position would have upon the honor,
integrity, and reputation of the people of
Kansas, and estimated the chances of the
Leeompton Government being perpetu-
ated, in that event. These were referred
to as among the evils, both logical and
inevitable, which would result from such
action on the part of the people of Kansas
In regard to the right of the people, at any
time. to change their Constitution, it will
be observed that this principle was en-
phstically declared in the original bill for
the admission Of Kansas under the Lee
compton Constitution, known as Green's
bill. Ifthis doctrine is intrinsically sound,
this express assertion of it by Congress
certainly did not add anything to its
general force But it would have had
this effect-that is to say, if the Lecomp-
ton Constitution had been adopted " pure
and simple" with the recognition of this
right to alter or amend it at any time
by the people, the Government of the
United States would have been estopped
from questioning the right of the people
to change the Constitution itwould have
placed the General Government in an at
titude where it would have been obliged
to have inquired into the fact, whether
majority of the people desired change
or not, in case measures had been adopted
for such change. Now, if that Constitu-
ton should be adopted, and an attempt
made to alter it, inconsistent with its ex-
press provisions, the Government would
be bound to sustain the Lecompton Con-
stitution as the legal and existing govern
ment, and would moi be at liberty to take
proof that it was the peoples desire to
have change. 1t must be plain to every
observer, that that declaration of the right
of the people, at all times, to alter their
form of Government made by Congress,
was expunged from the English bill with
purpose. What that purpose was, let
the people judge. We say, that the OBJ
ject was to leave the General Government
free to support the Lecompton Constitu-
ton in case an attempt was made to alter
it before the year 1864
Some of the evils of accepting the Le-
compton Constitution having been noticed,
now what are the promised benefits of
such acceptance By those journals i'll
the favor and support of the Administra-
ton, those benefits are numerously and
plausibly put forth. The main argument
of the supporters of the ordinance is, that
the unsettled condition of affairs here de-
mand more vigorous government that
the enforcement of the law and the preser-
walton of peace and quiet, require that the
Territorial condition should be immedi-
ately succeeded by State Government :;
that the acceptance OF the ordinance will
place the power of the local Government
in the hands of the people exclusively, and
crime. thereby, may be punished and re-
pressed, and wrongs and injuries redressed;
In fine, that the present condition of turbu-
lence and insecurity will be succeeded by
peace, security and tranquility. While
there is some plausibility in this kind of
reasoning, we insist that there is little
force or logic in it. We believe that a
sound and healthy state of public opinion
is much more needed in this Territory
than vigOr in the execution of the law
wherever that condition of public senti-
ment exists, laws or ministers of the laws
are little needed. How does the matter
stand? By the organic law of Kansas
Territory, the people of Kansas were left
perfectly free to form and regulate their
own institutions in their own way. The
General Government has vested in the
people of Kansas full power to regulate
their own concerns. They have the Leg
lslative Department of the Territorial
Government; they may make all laws
necessary for their own protection or hap
piness; they have all of the local Gov.
eminent IN their own hands; they have
local Courts, and may confer upon them
enlarged original Jurisdiction; they have
the selection of their own ministerial off.
GERS; they have everything practically
under their own control, except the Exec
utive Department of the Government
The Federal Courts may be rendered q
unit in the power of the Territory, by the
action OF the people through their Legis.
lative Assembly. With this ample author.
ity existing in the people, car it be truly
said that the want of energy and efficiency
in the Government is owing to the form
of that Government Is any REASONABLE,
man prepared to say that the sin of all th;.
ineficiency lies at the door of the Execu,
tive of the Territory? He certainly i
the only responsible party, if the presen
Territorial Government is not as stron:
and efficient IS State Government would
be- We put the blame upon the peopl
themselves. It is their fault that life an,
property have no security or protection il
Kansas; and, until the public morals ar
improved, and healthy tone given t
popular opinion, nothing can cure tn
evils that now are upon us. A State Gov
eminent possesses no such marvelou
power as to calm the turbulence that i
rife in our land It possesses DO power t
br;n0 order ont of existin0 chaos