The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-02-20

BY Governor Walker 70 be hired mercenaries by
the abolition societies OF the Fast and ell working in con:
cert accomplish Kansas what the Supreme Court and
public sentiment have decided Congress has power 10
do that is prohibit slavery in the Territory Of Kansas
ritory from exercising the privilege Of decid-
| ing that question for themselves 10 their way.
the 1o
voting outraees against persons and property, threaten
ing deuge the land in oood alternating one section Of
the Union from the other and endangering the existence
| Of free government
Such are the characers-such the objects and dan
gerous results of the opponents Of the Lecompton cons
tuition.
But, without regard to this insurrectonary movement
the regularly legal Convention Of Kansas pursuance of
law, assembled adopted the constitution before
the committee, which is thoroughly republican in form
can slavery and 70 avoid all Of complaint on the
part Of opponents this Convention submitted the question
ofssvery or no slavery to direct vote Of the bona d
for the 2lst December 1867, when it accordingly
/ held, and resulted follows
Constitution with slavery. ............. 6,226 votes.
Constitution without slavery 56s votes
Making an aggregate of............. 6,7o5 votes.
An opportunity has consequently been afforded 10 the
people OF Kansas 10 decide this question of slavery for
themselves and that decision ia before with all
the sanctions Of law. No real or valid exception be
taken any other part of the constitution On this sub
ect President Buchanan has well said in his message
In fact the general provisions Of state cOns
go saSeen thai be dc to 60 isr wrons the
present day in framing constitution.
The constitution conforms precisely what Governor
Walker said would meet his most cordial approval aud
that be should devote his whole time in addresses every
day t. the people Of every county in the Territory to
sure its adoption. He says:-
ASop. constitution ysry similar to tina, Of some Of the
Ss % 10 r.e se
but prohibiting the introduction of excluding ali
Save S
Stsiss and reaniring ali oacrs o he elecS
i've ard Judicial The Judges and inspectors q All elections
constitution Of the State and Of the United States Such
jority.
adopted Just such constitution, with the single excep
ton Of the clause prohibiting the introduction OF any
slaves; and that clause has been submitted TO far aud
direct Of the people themselves. registered and
registered thus leaving no possible pretenee for CON-
plant
1t Ia well known that the only real matter of contro.
versy Kansas the question OF slavery Evidence
TO that effect could be accumulated almost without limit
establishing the fact But the committee deem this unne
cessary, the fact itself will hardly be disputed by any
one Such being the Gaze no reasonable ground for
plant can be found for that question was submitted TO
cember There no preteDce that any districts, counties
or persons were DISTINGUISHED at that election Every
qualified voter whether registered registered had
the unrestraned privilege Of voting for against slavery
Here then was the opportunity 70 settle the only exist
ing difficulty, was desired Would II not be very
traordinary permit facous portion Of the people, in
total disregard Of the laws TO stay wfuy from the polls
when according 10 law and according TO the published
notice OF Governor walker they were equally bound as
they had voted and then claim the privilege OF having
| resubmssiobt
II twas true that they had as they assert majority
opposed slavery they could have voted the clause
onipg that institution by their own act the clause
retained and then they desire 10 reject the whole
uton because Of the called obnoxious slavery clauses
left in by their wilfu refusal TO vote, such wilfu
not 10 be concilated or tolerated in country
governed by laws suppose twenty additional opPortun-
ties should be offered TO the people 10 vote all
these questions who guarantee that they will
better in the future they past Who can
Fay they will vote ut all And not would not the
obiecticn now made be as valid then as IL IL now With
Fpf.reu IN % nm N
but carrying out their known political designs 10 prevent
the peaceful settlement OF the question.
The only legal rule Is to adhere 10 the uniform practice
Of all the constitutional governments in the Union and
opportunity having been afforded to all Of registering
their names and voting then, 10 decide according 10 the
majority thus whether OF the people have
voed, neglected refused 10 vote Governor Walker
said to the people Of Krnsas in his official address
Throughout whole Union, and wherever tree
ment prevails those who abstain from the exercise q he
ny bs sns h sssn.e p. AZ much
under the law and copsii,iop-wben there fraud
bad participated N the slee Ion obeswss as voting nus,bs
monarchy oespoism would remain The only slierna
Admitting the truth OF the proposition Of Governor
Walker that those who abstain from voting authorize
those who DO them necesslrily follows
that The sbolouss Of Kansas they are the majority
Of people they claim W be- directly responsible
Tor The establishment Of slavery in that Territory And
whether they constitute the majority minority the de-
''Popular sovereignty" has been invoked by some 10
defeat the Jecompton constitution. IA alleged by
constitution 20 direct vote Of The people would be
psbce with the provisions OF the Kansas Nebraska act
perfectly free 10 form ,6er domestic institution in their
Ownway. With this vitw Of the subject ise committee
cannot agree.
s,ely il will no, be commended that this provisi IN OF the
Kansas organic Law diminished the previous rghisof the
peofle in cresng state government In all rme past
since The Declaration Of lndepenGcnce, mas been uni
iornly admitted without single rton that the PEG
pie had the right choice either 10 form their constu
lions by their agents elected for that purpose or 10 re-
the right constitution by subsequent
direct vote Of the people 10 either case, aud 10 both
sUs ss5 81 ee p sa ne K.nss S s %
TAKEN away the right O the people ~ act through their
agents would be immi'ol Ut Their rigb's rahct than
increase and Improvement az the friends N that mes
sure have heretofore boosted The people would Ia that
case be confined 10 one way only IN which W make
constitution, and would not be AZ liberty 70 choose their
ewp way Such construction OF the organic act Is ma
nifestly
Having thus given a historical account Of the matter
referred for their consideration your committee will
briefly review the whole subject unembsrressed by De
tails They will LOOK At the subject a. originated, a. Il
has been fer three years and ss u now is.
The population Of country four years ago, prin
cpsy confined by treaty and BY Law to the comparative
" small region lying 10 the east Of the river Mississippi
Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, and part Of Lousians were
found on the western bank Also, the extreme south
bank TEXAS and Minnesota on the northern Calfor-
and the settlements Of the oregon were upon the
Pacific coast In the centre, New Mexico and Utah. The
immense country lying between our scaniy settlements
souri, and Arkansas, may be said, IN general terms,
and with the above exceptions, 4, have been
Nh"'~"PtN' 'NehN'N Wy tboNn bVb tntefcoufst
act and by Indian treaties, and without terri
toral organization, the country rendered, by
statutory prohibitions, an inaccessible solitude, which
pioneer settlers might not legally disturb Further ex
tensions Of settlement ~ the ward thus arrested
by law The western border Of three four states
tie western border Of the United Stsee until reached
the top OF the Sierra Nevaa and looked down
long and narrow settlement upon shores O Pacific
The border States had become dissatisfied aud camored
for western expansion the beautiful and fertile will
dtrpess which, though extending for a continuous dis
lance OF thousand miles, approaching vitlrn three
hundred mce OF TIE MISSISSIPPI, aOaud0nei BY the
government 70 the exclusive use OF wild semi civilized and
vagTant Indian tribes Unable longer 70 resist the de
msnds OF the West for the opening up 70 settlement Of
country contiguous important and valuable and which
had been neglected 80 long 70 become lust of
reprosch 10 the government Congress, 1854 took
consideration the justice and policy Of Organizing
II INTO Territories.
But Two diffcupes IN the way of 40 organization
the question OF Indian occupancythe other that
Of Anon sAyerY. Ihe first easly atlnste1 the