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

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day of June, 1857, to frame State con-
stitution. This law is as fair in its pro.
visions as any that ever passed a legisla-
tive body for a similar purpose. The
right of suffrage at this election is clear
y and justly defined. g Every bona .fae
nhabitant of the Tertiary of Kansas"
on the third Monday of June, tie day OF
election, who was citizen of the United
States above the age of twenty one, and
had resided therein for three months pre-
yious to that date, was entitled to vote.
In order to avoid all interference from
nei.hboring States or Territories with the
freedom and fairness Of the election, pro-
vision was made for the registry of the
qualified voters and, in pursuance there
of, nine thousand two hundred and fifty :
one votes were registered. Governor
Walker did his whole duty in urging all
the qualified citizens Of Kansas to vote
at this election. In his inaugural ad-
dress, on the eth May last, he informed
them that " under our practice the pre-
liminary act of framing State constiu-
tion is uniformly performed through the
instrumentality of convention of dele
gates chosen by the people themselves.
That convention is now about to be elect
ed by you under the call Of the territori-
al legislature, created and still recognised
by the au hority of Congress. and clothed
by it in the comprehensive language OF
the organic law, with full power to make
such enactment. The territorial legisla-
ture, then, in assembling this conven-
ton, were fully sustained by the act of
Congress, and the authority of the con
vention is distinctly recognised in my
instructions from the President of the
United States"
The governor also clearly and distinct
ly warns them what would be the conse-
quences if they should not participate in
The election. The people of Kansas,
then, (ho says. are invited by the high
est authority known to the constitution,
to participate, freely and fairly, in the
election of delegates to frame constitu
tion and state government. The law has
performed its entire appropriate function
when it extends to the people the right of
Ra 81 a aaann9t conRGdIu g htht 5G
whole Union, howeyee, and wherever free
prevails, those who abstain
from the exercise of the right of suffrage,
those who do vote to act for
them in that contingency and the absen
tees are as much bound, under the law
and constitution, where there is no fraud
ur ,io.eace, by the actof the majority OF
those who do vote, as if all had parlicl
pa:ed in the election. Otherwise, as vot-
ing must be voluntary, self government
would be impracticable, and monarchy
or despotism would remain as tie Only
alternative"
Ii may also be observed, that at this
period any hope, if such Lad existed,
that the Topeka constitution would ever
be recognised by Congress. must have
been abandoned. Congress had adjourn
ed on the 81 March previous, having re-
cognised the legal existence of The terri
lorial legislature in a variety of forms
which | need not enumerate. Indeed,
the delegate elected to the House of Rep
resentatives, under territorial law, had
been admitted to his seat, and had just
completed his term of service on the day
previous to my Inauguration.
This WAS the propitious moment for
settling all difficulties in Kansas. This
was the time for abandoning the revolu
tionary Topeka organization, and for the
enemies of the existing government to
conform to the laws, and TO unite with its
friends in framing Safe constitution.
But this they refused to do, and the con-
sequence of their refusal to submit to
lawful authority and vote at tie election
OF delegates, may yet ps~.- to be of a
most deplorable character. Would that
the respect for the laws of the land which
SO eminently distinguished the men OF
the past generation, could be revived
II is disregard and violation of law
which have for years kept the territory
of Kansas in a state of almost open re-
tellion against its government. IL is the
same spirit which has produced actual re
bellion in Utah Our only safety con.
sists in obedience and conformity to law
Should general spirit against its en-
forcement prevail, this will prove fatal tc
US as a nation. We acknowledge nc
master bu. the law and should we Gu
loose from its restraints. AM every one
do what seemeih good in his own eyes
our case will indeai he honeiasa