The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-03-06
Des,rn Of ,he orisina,ors.

ally concerned In framing the Topeka
government. Their positions have been
falsifed SO long, that many are presumed
to suppose they are telling the truth when
speaking derogatory of them. As one of
the original supporters of that movement
and present, and participant in the first
meeting held in Lawrence on the 18th of
August, 1866, when the measure was
brought forward, and secretary of the
meeting on that occasion also, pres
ent, and advisory in the proceedings at
Big Springs on the 9TH of September, when
the movement was endorsed by the Free
State party; and then Delegate to the
Topeka Convention of the 18th of Sep
tember, when all the machinery was per-
fected in regard TO the movement; and
being elected as one of the Territorial
executive committee who were charged
with the entire labor of experimenting
the elections for Delegates to the Consti-
tutional Convention; and then endorsed
by that Convention, and further author
lied to superintend the elections for State
officers under the Constitution, and to
perfect the State government; and hay-
ing faithfully remained at our post,
and labored with our associates in the
direction indicated until the oath of Office
was administered, and the officers had
entered upon the discharge Of their duties,
we think we can speak adgisedly and in
telligently on the subject.
We state, then, that it was not the in
tsntion of the originators Of the Topeka
Constitution to set up revolutionary gov
ernmens in Kansas. On the contrary, We
protested against such position from
first to last, as did every other person con-
cerned in getting up, or carrying through
the movement.
In March, previous to the setting on foot
of this government we had been oyerrun
by an armed body of men from Missouri,
who took charge of our franchise, and by
violence drove the honest electors from
the polls, and exercised for themselves
the rights Of citizens. The Legislature
elected by this outrageous interference,
had, in July, enacted their villainous
code, and were laboring to inforce that
code upon the people of Kansas. 1t was
then, when surrounded by all those de-
pressing circumstances. that the plan was
devised to frame a State Constitution
At the same time of voting for its adop-
ton, il was determined to secure the sig
natures of all persons who voted in its
favor to petition to Congress. praying
that body for redress of grievances by
adopting that instrument as the funda-
mental law of Kansas. 1t was believed
that Congress would cheerfully avail itself
of that methed of relieving us from ty-
rannical government, imposed upon us by
the Missouri invasion. Never was an
idea entertained that the government thus
set up, would either come in collision
with the Territorial government. 1t was
considered peaceable, harmless measure,
snd that it had no legal existence until
legality and vitality were both given to it
BY act of Congress.
It was because Of its non-reyofationary
character that we protested so loudly
against interference with it by federal off,
GERS, in July of 1866, under Goy. Shan
non. and this was our strong point before
the country; that We contemplated doing
nothing bat preserving our organization IS
State until Congress should finally dis
pose of the question.
WeFecolIect speech made by US al
Metropolitan Hall, in Rockford, H., in
April of 1856. and the evening after. at
South Market Hall, in Chicago, in which
we took the position here maintained
The files of the Herald of Freedom while
we sustained that measure, will show us
as occupying the same position.
When Congress rejectsd the Topeka
Constitution. and formidable party,
which had made It's endorsement by Cen-
gress one of the chief planks in its plat
form. and that party vas defeated; and
the Democratic party, with Its four years
lease of the government was imposed upon
us, who were known 10 be hostile to it,
then it was thought proper that weshonld
abandon it for something practical. II
was then ne pronounced it igneats fatuas,
and begged our friendsso follow it no lon-
ger. IS We had no further hope of reliei
under il, as an sdherancs TO it would
preyeHs our locking for. relief through
another quarter.
OF the seven members of the Terrific;
nal Executive Committee, to wit: J. II
lane. g. ". Smith, c. Z. Holiday, P. g
Schuyler, G. ". Brown, j. K. Goodir
and Marcus ] Parrett, we were and eve
haze been, with the exception of Gen
Lane, i INIT on these matte r,. OF ths
State officers they have msiniy agreed
with but Mr.. Cutler, the AuditoE
whose name Is hardly knowns IN Kansas
snd has rarely hesn mentionsd.outside o
it OF the Judges. Mr. Conway was Ia.
only one who stood up in its support
Locking over the signatures attached t
shs ias.runsnttkss stssr day We foHad tbs