Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-02-10
PRESIDENTS Message-continued.


eovernmet established by Congress. that an
election which afforded them an opportunity,
IL in the maiority, of making Kansas free
State, according to their own profossed desire;
could not be conducted without COLLISION ana
bloodshed 5s-st
The fruth is, that up tillthe present moment.
the enemies of the existing government sun
adhere to their Topeka revolutionary consfl-
tution and government. The very tirst para
graph OF the message of Governor Robinson,
dated on the 9Th December, to the Topeka |
Legislature now assembled ut Lawrence. cor /
tains an open defiance of the constitution and |
laws of The United States. The Governor |
says: sThe convention which framed the
constitution at Topeka originated with the
people Of Kansas Territory. They have adop-
ted and ratified the same twice by a direct
vote, and also indirectly through two elections
of State officers aud members of the State Le-
gisla;ure. Yet it has pleased the a,iministra-
,ion to regard the whole proceeding reroiu-
tionary.''
This Topeka government. adheared TO With
such reasonable pcrtinacity, is government
in direct opposition to the existing government
prescribed and recognized by Congress. IL is
q usurpalion of the same character rs II woiIid
be for portion of the people OF any State oil
the Union TO undertake TO establish seperate
government, within its limits, for the purpose
of redrcssng any grievance, real or imaginary,
of which they might complain. against the
legitimate State government. Such 4 princi-
pie. if carried into execution, would destroy
all lawful authority and produce universal an
archy.
From this statement of facts. the reason be-
comes palpable why the enemies of the govern
ment authorlZed by Congress have refused to
vote for delegates to the Kansas constitutional
convention and also afterwards on the ques-
fion OF slavery submitted by it 10 the people.
1t is because they hayeeyer refused to sane
tion or recognize any other constitution than
that framed at Topeka
Had the whole LeScmpton constitution been
submitted to the people, the adherents of this
organization would doubtless have voted a
gsinst it, because, if successful, they would
thus have removed an obstacle out of the way
OF their own revolutionary constitution. They
would have done this, not upon considera-
ton OF the merits of the whole or any part OF
the Lecompton constitution, but simply be-
cause they have ever resisted the authority OF
the government authorized by Congress, from
which ii emanated.
Such being the unfortunate condition of af-
fairs in the Territory. what the right as
well as the duty of the lawabiding peop'ef
Were they silently and patiently to Submit to
the Topeka usGTpation, or adopt the necessary
measures 10 establish constitution under the
authority of the organic law of Congress
That This Inv recognized the right Of the
people of the Territory. without any enabling
act from Congress. TO form State constitution,
is too clear fo- argument. For Congress sSto
leave the people of the Territory perfectly
Free in framing their constitution, s.to form
and regulate their domestic institutions in their
own wav, subject only 10 the constitution of
the United StateS,'' and then to say that they
should not be permitted to proceed and frame
q constitution In their own way without an ex-
press authority from Congress, appears 20 be
almost 4 contradiction in terms. II would lie
much more plausible 10 contend that Congress
had no power TO pass such an enabling act.
than 10 argue that the people of a Territory
might De kept out of the Union for an indc-
finite period, and until it might p.ease Con-
gress to permit them to exercise the right of
self government. This would be TO adopt not
s.their own way, . but the way which Congress
might prescribe.
Il is impossible that any people could have
proceeded with more regularity in the forma-
tion-ot constitution than the people of Kan
sas have done. IL was necessary, first, TO as
certain whether it was the desire of tie people
TO be relieved from their territorial dSpen-
deuce and establish = State government For
this purpose the Territorial Legislature in
1855 passed law s-foI taking the sense of
the people at this Territory upon the expedi
cncy OF calling 4 convention TO form State
constitution az the general election to be
held in October. 1856. The sssense of the
people, was accordingly taken, and they de-
cided in favor of convention. IL is true
that 1t this election the enemies Of the Terri
toEial government did not vote, because they
slightest preteXt Of lawful authority, in franz
ing constitution OF their own for the par
pose OF subyeFting the territorial government.
In pursuance OF the decision of the people
in favor of Il convention. the Territorial Legs
lature, on the 27th dsy of February, 1857. pas
sed IN act for the election ot delegates on the
third Monday of June, 1857. 20 frame : State
constitution. This law is as fair in its prOyi-
sions as any that ever passed Legislative body
for similar purpose The fright OF suffrage
ct this election is clearly and justly defined.
ssEysry base ffe irhsbitant of the Territory OF
Kansas on the third Monday of June, the day
of the election. who WAS citizen of the Uni
ted States, above the age OF twenty lone, and
had resided therein for three mouths previous
to that date. was entitled TO vote In oTgler to
avoid all Interference from neighboFing States
or Territories with the freedom and fairness OF
the election. provision was made Tor the regis
Try Of the qualified voters; and, in pursuance
thereof, nine thousand two hundred and fifty
one voters were registered
Governor " alxer did his whole duty in urs-
ing all the qualified citizens OF Kansas to vote
st this election. In his inaugural address, On
the 21th May last, he informed them that ssun-
der our practice the preliminary act of franz
ing State constitution is uniformly perform
ed through the instr1meRtality Of Z conyer-
tIon Of delegates chosen By the people them
selves. That convention is ROW about TO be
elected hv you Gnsier the call OF the Terrific
rial Legislatures. created aud still recognized
BY the authority OF Congress, and clothed by
If, in the comprehensive language Of the or
ganic law, with faa power 10 make such an en-
actment- The Territorial Legislature, then,
II ASSEMBLING this convention, were fully sns-
tanned by the act OF Congress. and the author
ity OF the convention is distinctly recognized
in nv instructions from the Presitiensos the
United States"
TIE Governor also clearly aud distinctly
warns them shat would be the consequences If