New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-04-12
REMONSTRAECE

the Passage Of The Leoompto1 Constitution.
The RemoDstrance being read, the following reso!u'
ton unanimously adopted by the Conventions
S.,s,sd Ta' printed 19f Of The G1ssi cssTsn
Ccu miee RemoD san.t the adoption by Cootre.
Of tie Lseonptop Constitution throusn the aid oil ferh
r ohe Federal Cabinet, the Governors Of the dfereh, sts
an M Representative. in Congress who may favor CT support
tie Lecomp,on usuip patton.
To ne Senate and Rsy,e ef Representation i tie Uaised
Stdio.
The Convention now in session in the City Of Leav-
epworth for the purpose Of framing State Consti.u-
ton according the provisions Of law passed by the
Territorial Legislature OF Kansas, at its last session.
has charged the undersigned with the solemn duty OF
demonstrating with your honorable body against the
passage OF sn act decarirg the instrument known as
the Lecompton Constitution to be the organic law OF
the State OF Kansas.
We sball not site npt at this late day TO enumerate
in detail the causes or arguments which render it i'm
Dos sble fer the people to acknowledge the binding
effect Of that instrument. Those causes are now
matter OF rhetorical record and those arguments
already before your honorable body and the world.
But, as duty which owe to our constituents and
with resolute hope, which knows no discourage
me nt make in their last solemn appeal 10
that trhut which has ever been deaf TO our prayers
and shall plainly and briefly present the facts which
give character to this issue, and show why loyal
|
| are forced to the very verge OF revolution.
We remopstrate, then, against the approval OF the
| Lecoupton Constitution by the Federal Congress, on
| the following grounds:
| l. 1t is not the act of the people of Kansas.
> II has received from them stern and oyerwhem
| ing condemnation at the ballot box, by maj 0rity
which leaves room for doubt.
g. it, origin marked by events of such atrocity,
| ard its contamination signallZed by such glarlng
frauds must disgrace the records OF the State
| il shall create and H0t people must inevitably be
demorszed who forced to the acceptance Ct such
unworthy precedeDts in place of those glorious trsd
tiors Of liberty which should illuminate the early his
| tory of every republican government.
T. The very existence of this Convention is conclu
sve evidence of the popular will After ITS close, the
result Of its labors will be submitted to vote of the
whole people for approval or rejection. Until that
decision is made, earnestly trust that Congress
Will give respite from the sentence it has threatened
to pronounce No just cause exists for this unprece-
deIted haste. The people at length IN the pos
| session OF government which they have so modified
a. 20 render it eDdurable and appeal with every ar
gument of expedency aud justice, to be permitted TO
retain that government until in the exercise Of their
scknowl.d dyed rights Trey shall see tit to replace 1t
| with one of their own creation and choice.
5. Congress cannot force government upon az
| unwilling people without an assumption OF prln.
cipes foreign and antag0lstlc to the fundament al
sw Of the nation, and the exercise OF 90 authority
subversve Of the chief principles Of our national
freedom. That all governments derive their just pow.
els from the consent Of the governed is an axiom OF
=
That Congress may admit States into the Union,
| is constitutional admission of this principle, which
| caves without warrant all exercise OF compulsory
power. No State can be ddntted except upon appli.
cation; and the people Of Kansas have never applied
| with the Lecompton Constitution. The one argument
in favor of that instrument, Is It's technical regularity
in the steps for its formation, at the same time that
the popular will ffustrated by conspiracy and
| fraud. We will not believe that the Congress of the
United States is prepared to ignore all the beneicent
pr cpes Of law by dogmatic assertion that its sole
virtue exists in regularity of form. and that nc
consideration is due 10 lis true spirit and intent.
We rely, therefore, upon the representatives. OF an
| intelligent and yriuOus people to select that policy
which, in view OF tie extraordinary circumstances, is
be calculated to protect the sacred principles OF pop
u'ar liberty and avert the caamities of civil discord
| Tie peOpe Of Kansas are the descendants OF race
wfoe freedom has been transmitted as an Invaluable
heirloom for the Inheritance of their children. They
in pred by their convictions aud their impulses,
| ard by the glorious memories Of the past to main
tain VI hinchingly TO the end struggle which they
believe is 10 determine the triumph of freedom or OF
| tyrslDy in the Republic. They have IN the nselves
courage which Manifestations OF power can inimi-
date sud consciousness Of right which political
sophistIes can confuse; and they possess material
strength increased hundTediold by the Constitutional
bulwarks behind which II Is intrenched Their suffer
| rgs hsve Won for them the active sympatbies OF a
ntton TOO Jealous of Its liberties to their b,riers
| broken GoTD by the exercise of Illegal powers by It's
representatives and It's rulers. Against all external foes
the FEDERAL Government is strong to nyincbility,
| hut, opposed 10 such resistance as the people Of
Kansas offer TO this usurpaton, all its vast ap-
| pOinmtpts will but serve 10 render manifest its
utter and absolute impotency 10 the enforcement Of u
| yIannical resolves. The Federal Government cannot
| Conquer the people of Kansas, because il ought not.
| Let il: then pause for reflection before taking the
rrevocsble step. Let il hesitate long before invoking,
by the exercise Of Illegal and yrannical powers that
fate which always destroys those who conspre against
the Liberties OF free and enlightened people. Let it
etnce those steps which have advanced the nation TO
the brink of dissolution. Let to the people
Of Kansas those rights which oil parties have SO often
ard 30 sol,muly guaranteed and thus turr back upon
the political disl the shadow which portends ruin
ard disaster the institutions of common country
Let i. recollect that It's power is Of and from the
people and by dealing justly win Kansas let It add
| one more column TO the proud array, which is the
strength, as it is the glory OF the Confederation.
| J. W WINCHELL,
| T. DWIGHT TEACHER
| J. s EMERY
| J NJ WALDEN,
| CHARLES A. FOSTER.