The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-01-10
THE KANSAS RECORD.

DESTROYS of spreading before the readers of the
Union everything of real interest that may transpre
in Kansas, continue the publication of papers
atipg to the political movements within that Terri
tory. Exact information of the actual condition of
affairs and the position of parties is all that is
sary to satisfy the country of the true policy of Con-
gress in its future action upon the Kansas question.
In accordance with this desire, submit the follow
ing address Of the free State party urging the
bers Of that party to participate in the election We
have already fully detailed the circumstances under
which it was issued, and given the platform ac-
companying it. We take occasion to remark here
that all those who participated in the State election
on the 4th, which was held in accordance with
provision of the State constitution, necessarily ac
knowledge it's authority and commit themselves d
rectly to its support. If the majority choose to
change the constitution after the admission of the
State they can do so as they wish; such change will
excite no concern in Congress elsewhere outside
of the State of Kansas:
ADDRESS
As the central committee appointed by mass con-
venon of the people of Kansas assembled at Lawrence
on the oath Of December 1857 who opposed to
tery inactivity and in favor of action for the preservation
of our rights, we address you.
We fear that the administration has power to force us
into the Union under the unsubmtted constitution lately
framed at Lecompton. With all the opposition it has
met both within and without the ranks of the national
democracy, it may be fastened upon The executive
patronage not yet distributed and past experience
that with the spos the will Of the Executive may
DO made the law Of Congress The opponents of that
constitution writing to from all parts of
try that it is yet doubtful whether it will be rejected by
Congress and they advise us to trust to but
selves and to fight the usurpers at the ballot-box
II let the election for officers under the constitution
the 4th of January next by default and Kansas be
admitted under It, lend aid and comfort to those who
seek to tranple rights, and become the nstru-
ments of our own subugaton. We lie down inactive,
while chains forged and fastened and however
vigorous violent resistance may then be- it will be
vain We lose two United States senator's for three
and the other for six years. representative in Congress-
the legislature and oil the State officers and than
this lose the Of governing ourselves long
the usurpers frame laws concoc schemes to efaud u.s.
and if rise up in resistance to such government we
may be crushed by the arm of federal authority
What can We lose by voting Nothing. 1t is said If
we go into the election we will be defeated by invasion or
official fraud Possibly we may. But if we do not go
into 1t shall not he defeated without invasion and
without fraud 1t is said that by voting for officers
der it will give implied sanction to the constitution,
and that Congress may act on that sanction. We do
not think An implied indifference might, with more
plausible sophstry be argued from abstainng from
the polls But, in fact, such implication Of consent
indifference that constitution honestly be drawn
from action inacton ut this election For Congress
has the most abundant evidence that overwhelming
majority representing every shade of political sentiment
would regard act admitting under that unsubmted
constitution an act of oppression and tyranny 1t is
said finally, that the support of officers under this
stuton would be an abandonment of principles and
past policy Policy must change with changing events
principles never And every opposed to the subju
cation of the people bya faction feeble in numbers
not to rise to the dignity of party should unite in
this effort to destroy the power Of the usurpe and to
enable the people to frame and adopt constitution such
as the majority shall approve. Such effort involves
sacrifice of principle.
We believe that everything may be lost and nothing
be gained by policy Of naction and therefore call
the people of Kansas to vote at the coming election
The convention to nominate candidates for State officers
have nominated men who hostile TO the Lecompton
and appeal to the sober thought of the peo
pie to sustain them And call upon them in their
several districts to nominate candidates for the State cs
latue, to put their shoulders to the work. and to
throw the usurpc-s ere they be fastened upon u.s.
BY order of the convention
N. s. Wood, chairman A. Danford,
g. w. Brown James Davis
r. y Lowmnn c. r. Currier,
Robert Morrow, Judge Mckay
~ Heath, DIR. fitzpatrick,
VIM. Austin G. " Exkridue
O. F. Short, Jamee Rodgers
Judge Passmorc, S. d. Houston
ID. II. WIEn, Secretary.