The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-03-11

yet prove to be of the most dcplora.
BILE character. Would that the re.
spcct for the laws Of the land, which
so cmincntly distinguished the men
Of the past generation, could be re-
vivcd I II il a disregard and viola
ton Of law which has for years kept
the Territory of Kansas in a state Of
almost open rebellion against its
Govcrnmcnt--~it is the same spirit
which has produced actual rebellion
in Utah. Our only safety consists
in obedience and conformity 10 the
law. Should n general spirit against
its enforcement prevail, this will
prove fatal TO us M n nation.
We acknowledge no master but
law, and should we cut loose from
its restraints and every ono do
what sccmcth good in his own eyes,
our case would indeed be hopeless
Tho enemies of the Territorial Gov.
crnmcnt determined still 10 resist the
authority Of Congress. They rcfus.
cd to vote for the delegates TO the
Convention, not because, from cir
cumstanccs, which need not detail,
there was an omission u register the
comparatively few voters who were
inhabitants of certain counties in
Kansas in tho early Spring Of 1857,
but because they had determined, at
all hazards, To adhere 10 their revo-
lutionary organization, and defeat
the establishment Of any other Con
stitution than that they had framed
at Topeka. The election was there
fore suffered 70 pass by default, but
Of this result the qualified electors
who refused 10 vote can never justly
complain.
From this review il is manifest
that the lecomption Convention. ac-
oording 10 every principle Of consti.
tutional law, was legally y constituted
and invested with power 10 frame q
Constitution. The sacred principle
Of Popular Sovereignty has been in
voked in favor Of tho enemies Of Law
and Order ia Kansas, but in wha,
manner is Popular Sovereignty 10 be
exercised in this country II not
through the instrumentality Of ostab.
lishcd lawY In certain small repub.
lies Of ancient times, the people did
assemble in primary meetings, pass
cd laws and directed public affairs.
Ia our country this IL manifcstly i'm.
possible. Popular Sovereignty can
be- exercised here only through the
ballot. and il the people will refuse
the exercise Of il In this manner, aS
they have done in Kansas at the cleo,
ton Of delegates, IL is not FOR them to
complain that their rights have been
violated.
The Kansas Convention thus law.
fully constituted, proceeded ~ frame
a Constitution, and, having com.
pletcd the work, iinaIl y adjourned on
the 7th Of November last. They did
not think proper ~ submit the whole
Of this Constitution 10 the popular
vote, but did submit the question
whether Kansas should be free or
slave State, ~ the people. This was
the question which had convulscd
the Union and shaken il 10 the very
center. This was the question which
had lighted the flames Of civil war
in Kansas. and produced dangerous
sectional parties throughout the con
federacy. II was Of character 80
paramount in respect 10 the condi-
tion Of Kansas as ~ rivet the aDx-
ious attention Of the people Of the
whole country upon II alone. No
person thought Of any other ques.
ton. For my own part, when in
structed Gov. Walker In general
terms in favor Of submitting the Con.
stitution O the people, had no OBJ
ject in view except the aIl-absorbing
question Of slavery. 10 what man.
ncr the people Of Kansas might reg.
ulate their other concerns was not
the subject which attracted my at-
tcntion. In fact, the general provis.
ions Of recent State Constitutions,
after an experience Of eighty years,
are 40 similar and excellent that il
would be difficult % go far wrong at
the present day In framing a new
Constitution. ] then believed, and
still believe, that, under the Organic
Act, the Kansas Convention were
bound TO submit this sll-important
question of slavery 10 the people. II
was never my opinion, however. that
Independently Of this Act they would
have been bound 10 submit any por.
ton Of the Constitution 10 popular