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

Constitution, when framed, to be sub
mitted to a vote of the people for
adoption or rejection.
The bill, however, was recOnsid-
cred in each House and passed by a
two-thirds vote over the veto of the
Governor, and thus became binding
law in the Territory.
The Legislature, no doubt, consid-
cred it solemn duty to leave the
people of the Territory perfectly free
through their own delegates in Con-
vention assembled, to form and adopt
their own Constitution in their own
way; and hence did not undertake to
dictate any single act to be perform
ed by the peoples representatives,
whose authority on such matters was
greater than that Of the Legislature.
If the Legislature could direct the
Convention what they should do on
one subject, it might, with equal pro-
priety, have given commands on all
other subjects. This would have
been a fragrant violation of all rules
of right and Of justice to the people.
In the preceding election the peo-
pie had directed the Legislature to
pass law calling a Convention of
delegates, to be elected by the peO-
pie for the purpose Of adopting a
Constitution; and if the Legislature
had gone beyond the performance Of
that ministerial act, which the people
required, it would have been justly
regarded az o violation of the peo-
pies rights, and an attempt to coerce
the Convention, which the people
were about to elect to reflect their
own will. The republican institu-
tions of the United States are all
based upon the representative prin-
ciple. Instead of meeting in person
as did the people of Athens, in large
tumultuous assemblages, where no
certain decision on anything could
be had, and where liberty itself was
ultimately lost, the people Of the sew.
eral States of our happy Union have
chosen rather to delegate authority
to representatives, who should act
for and in the name and behalf Of the
people, in public political matters,
either in making constitutions or in
the passage of laws for the regula-
tons and government of society. The
principle is observed in all our insti-
tutions, State and Federal, and thus
far in our history has proved faithful
and efficient in protecting the rights
Of the people, and beneficial in avoid
ing the tumultuary mobs which dis
graced the Grecian republics and
some of our own larger cities But
whether the representative principle
or the personal association in assem-
blies he the better system, it is not
for the committee to decide. 1t is
sufficient if either one be adopted
and pursued by the people. as in the
case Of Kansas, and the selection of
the representative American system
can be no valid objection to the ac-
ton of the people in that regard.
That representative rule and princi-
pie has been perfected in great de.
gree uuder our institutions, and may
almost be claimed as an American
system.
That the law providing for the Con-
vention afforded equal opportunities
to oil the citizens of Kansas to have
a voice on the Constitution in and
through the Convention, cannot be
denied. II provided:
Sec. |. Sheriffs are required, be-
tween the LIST of March and LIST Of
April, 1857, to make an examination,
have power to appoint deputies, who
shall take oath, &c.
Sec. g. In case of vacancy in Of
fee of sheriff, the probate Judge shall
perform his duty; and in case Of va
cancy in both, the Governor shall
appoint some competent resident to
perform said duty.
Sec 3, Officers as above shall
file in office of probate Judge com
pletc lists Of all qualified voters resi-
dent in the county or district on the
LIST Of April, 1857.
Sec T. Copies of said list to be
posted in public places.
Sec. 5. Probate judge to continue
court from receipt Of said returns to
LIST of May, for the purpose of correct
ing them.
Sec. s. Lists Of legal voters, as
corrected. to be returned to the Gov
ernor and Secretary, and distributed
generally.
Sec. I. Upon completion of census
apportionment of members to he
made by the Governor and Secretary
acrnrdinsr IN tho rpyisfarad ynfara