The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1858-06-19


those of the President, in his larger and
more responsible sphere. Nor, when it
comes to the consideration of purposes and
motives, do I tremble at tthe judgment Of
the Searcher of hearts Himself.
Now, gentlemen, come back to the az
gument upon the acceptation of the prop
osition submitted to us by the law OF Con-
gress. If the Lecompton constitution had
been forced upon Us by the Federal Gov
ernment, and the Territorial authorities
Withdrawn, we would have been jussi6able
in submitting to its forms, until they could
have been Indignantly repudiated and
thrown of. There would have been no hu-
initiation in this. But We arscalled upon
by the law of Congress, voluntarily, of our
own free will, by our own unconstrained
votes, to submit our necks to the yoke,
and actually TO adopt and .atify the Ls-
compton constitution!
with political skill
Endangered States may yield to terms unjust.
Stoop their prond heads, tbut not unto the dasD
A foes most favorite purpose 70 fulhii
Happy occasions oft By self mistrust
Are forfeited. bat - fanny doth hsst"
By voting for the Lecompton constitution,
the people of Kansas will throw away the
whole moral and political effect and their
long struggle against the fraud and wrongs
which have marked the history of that
instrument in all its stages and which are
actually embodied in its provisions
They will virtually acknowledge that
they have had no real justification for
their indignant and violent remonstrances.
In short, they will surrender sacred and
invaluable principle, for the sake of an
imaginary, and, at best, merely tempo
rary expedieney.
We are told, that there will be no peace
until there shall be State government
that the laws cannot be enforced; that
violence and disorder will continue to
PREVAIL that the lives and property
of citizens will be in constant danger, un-
til the government shall be in the hands
of the people themselves. This reason
ing is not even specious ar plausible. A
State government to be formed at this
time, will be extremely poor and weak
The boasted bribe of lands will not be
available-the people are but little pre-
rared to pay taxes-and the resources of
the State will be extremely limited. If
the present Territorial government cannot
suppress disorder, State organization
would be still less capable Of doing so.-
Remember that the Legislative power of
the Territory is now in the hands of the
people without any taxation for maintain
ing it. No one, presume, will doubt the
disposition of Gov. Denver, to act fairly
and to preserve the peace ofthe Territory;
he certainly has the means to do SO, back
ed, as he is, by the power and authority of
the United States. If, in the range of
possible events, the Lecompton constitu-
ton could be adopted, it would be carried
by very meagre majority, and against
the most violent opposition of the minori-
ty. The State would be torn to pieces by
the most unhappy dissensicns, commenc-
ing at the very cradle; and We should
begin our career not only in weakness and
poverty, but under the most melancholy
forebodings of disaster, to say nothing OF
the dishonor of such surrender on the
part of the people.
You are fattered with the idea, fellow
citizens, that upon the adoption of the
Lecompton constitution, you could alterit
Immediately. am well satisfied that the
true construction of the Lecompton con-
stitution would forbid a change until after
1864, and that no such change could be
regularly effected until near 1870. But
as practical question, my opinion is that
the people, by the consent of the existing
government, can at any time amend their
constitution. Eminent constitutional law
yers, to my certain knowledge, are of .
different opinion. How the Supreme
Court of the United States would decide
this question, especially as to the right Of
property in slaves brought into the Terri
tory, pending the existence of the Lecomp-
ton government, must, necessarily. be
matter of great uncertainty, therefore,
source of renewed agitation and great
danger. That court, itself, admits the
power of the people, in framing State
government, to settle the question OF
slavery. If you should adopt the Le-
compton constitution. and the Supreme
Court should determine it to be unchang-
able until after 1854, any new constitution
which you might adopt, though it might,
de facso, carry the political power, would
not therefore affect the rights Of property
in slaves. This great question would stlil
be left open, subject to the most painful
uncertainty, and liable to arouse again the
slumbering passions Of the opposite sec
tions. One of two results would follow:
Emigration to the Territory would cease
altogether, or the contest for ascendancy
would be again renewed with increased
acerbity and violence. On the contrary,
if Won remain a Territory, the next Con-
gress will repair the injustice OF this, and
YOU will be received into the Union with
institutions such as you may choose freely
and fairly to adopt.
All this is upon the suppcsition that
Gen. Calhoun viii give certificates OF
election according to the result Of the
honest vote on the 4th of January last.
If he should not do so, the case would De
much worse. Who knows what he Will
do +? Who can give any assurance on
that point? But If be should now pro-
pose to do justice in this particular, WHO
would be 50 blind and ignorant IS rot 70
know that it would only indicate des-
perate expedient on his part, and on that
of the Administration, 70 save the LIE.
compton constitution, at the very hour OF
It's final overthrow? And who would b
50 weak as to be entrapped in such 9
snare?
Aeain. we are told Of the millions OF
acres of public lands which win be lost to
Us, il the proposition should not be now
accepted. Those who present this argu-
ment can no longer deny that bribs is
/ thereby offered to induce the people to
abandon their principles. But ! insist
/ that no such loss will ever be suffered BY
i the people of Kansas. Not one acre OF
/ land-not one dollar Of money-wiil be
sacrificed to them by thsir adherence to
their integrity and honor. No party n
this country, in aay future sIscsion, wiH
dare stake itself upon the policy Of re-
fusiag ample reparstion to the people. i
they should, in their sovereign viii, de-