White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1858-12-23

of admitting the remaining clauses Of
the constitution, as well as that concern
ing slavery, to the people But, acting
in official character, neither myself mol
any human authority had the power to
PREJUDICE the proceedings ofthe convention,
and declare the constitution which it had
framed to be nullity. To have done
this, would have been q violation Of the
| Kansas and Nebraska act. which leit the
people Of the territory perfectly free to
! form and regulate their domestic institu.
tions in their own way, s9jeet only to
the Constitution of the United States"
It would equally have violated the
great principle Of popular sovereignty, at
the foundation Of our institutions, to de-
prive the people of the power, If they
thought proper to exercise it. Of coniding
to delegates elected by themselves the
trust of framing a constitution, without
requiring them to subject their constitu-
ents to the trouble, expense, and delay Of
a second election. 1t would have been
in opposition to many presidents in our
history, commencing in the very best age
of the republic. Of the admission OF ter
ritories as States into the Union. without
a previous vote of the people approving
their constitution.
1t is to be lamented that a question so
insignificant when viewed in its practical
effects on the people of Kansas, whether
decided one way or the other, should have
kindIed such a fame of excitement thro'-
out the country. This reflection may
prove to be lesson of wisdom and OF
warning for our future guidance. Prac-
tically considered, the question is simply
whether the people Of that territory should
first come into the Union and then change
any provision in their constitution not
agreeable to themselves, or accomplish
the very same object by remaining out Of
the Union and framing another corstitu-
ton in accordance with their will ? In
either case the result would be precisely
the same. The only difference in point
of fact is, that the object would have been
much sooner attained, and the paci6cation
of Kansas more speedily effected. had it
been admitted as State during he last
session Of Congress.
Ny recommendation. however, for the
immediate admission OF Kansas, failed to
meet the appreciation of Congress. They
deemed it wiser to adopt different meas
ure for the settlement of the question
For my own part, should have been
willing to yield my assent to almost any
constitutional measure to accomplish this
object. /, therefore. cordially acquiesced
in what has been called the English Com
promise, and approved the "act for the
admission Of the State of Kansas into
the Union" upon the terms therein pre-
scribed.
Under the ordinance which aceompa-
MED the Lecompton Constitution, the peo-
pie had claimed double the quantity Of
public lands for the support Of common
schools, which had ever been previously
granted to any State upon entering the
Union and also the alternate sections Of
land for twelve miles on each side of two
railroads, proposed to be constructed from
the northern to the southern boundary,
and from the eastern to the western boun-
Diary of the State. Congress, deeming
these claims unreasonable. provided, by
the act of May 4, 1858. to which have
Just referred, for the admission Of the
State on an equal footing with the origi-
nal States. but "upon the fundamental
condition precedent" that a majority Of
the people thereof, at an election to be
held for that purpose, should, in place Of
the very large grants of public lands
which they had demanded under the or
dinancc. accept such grants as had been
made to Minnesota and other new States.
Under this act, should a majority reject
the proposition offered them, ''it shall be
deemed and held that the people Of Kan
sas do not desire admission into the Un-
ion with said constitution under the con-
ditions set forth in said proposition" In
that event, the act authorizes the people
of the territory to elect delegates to fern
constitution and State government for
themselves, whenever, and not before, it
is ascertained by census, duly and le-
gally taken, that the population Of said
territory equals or exceeds the ratio Of
representation required for q member of
the House of Representatives Of the Con-
grsss of the United States" The dele
gates thus assembled "shall first deter
mine BY a vote whether it is the wish Of
the people of the proposed State to be
admitted into the Union at that time, and,
If so. shall proceed to form constitution.
and take all necessary steps for the estab-
lishment of State government in con-
formity with the federal constitution"
After this constitution shall have been
formed, Congress, carrying out the prin-
ciplss Of popular sovereignty and non
intervention, have left "the mode and
manner of its approval or ratification by
the people of the proposed State" to be
prescribed by law" and they "shall
then be admitted into the Union as q
State under such constitution thus fairly
aud legally made. with or without slave
~, as said constitution may prescribe.
An election was held throughout Kan
sas. in pursuance Of the provisions Of
this act, on the second day Of August
last, and II resulted in the rejection. by q
large majority, Of the proposition sub
mitted TO the people by Congress. This
being the case. they are now authorized
to form another constitution. preparatory
to admission into the Union, bat not un-
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