The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1858-04-16

of that party usually called s'Know Nothings'
have passed an act to amend their present con-
stituion before the time fixed in the constitution
itself for its change. Ifthe people Of Mary
under this act, should change their constitution,
is there any power or people outside Of Mary
land that can interfere and prevent IFS going
into operation Certainty nnf Do not
speak with certainty bet am Under the
impression that the States of New 4ot6 and
Indiana changed their respective constitutions
10 a different manner, or al a diiffrPnt dnrs
from that prescribed Tor SO doing ~ lie c9nslila-
ton changed. vi any one dere say hat The
constitutions Of these States are not valid, and
can be violated with impanhy | tank not
Is there anything more sacred acd unchangea-
bic in the constitution Of Kansas than in those
of Maryland, New York, and lndiaDaa
IF the people Of Kansas shall desire 10 al~r,
anenJ, or abolish the Lecompton constitution,
If the State shall be admitted with that constitu-
ton, all they have TO do is 10 get an act Of the
Legislature passed, calling a convention TO alter
or amend the same and il the people, by vote,
ii her adopt or acquiesce in the constitution SO
altered Or amended, no people IA any other
State offhiS Union can interfere. | will ven
ture 10 say that there is not member on the
other side of the House who viii say that If the
Legislature, al IFS tirsl session, pass an act call
ing convention. and the act is approved BY
the Governor. and the convention should strike
cut all Of the IecCmptoa constitutions (which re-
cognizes slavery as one OF the domestic institu-
tons Of Kansas, and ifthe people adopt the a
mended constitution. it would not be valid and
binding on all people residing there II this
can be done, why not abolish the whole con-
stitution and make an entire new one Ifthey
dc so, no power under heaven can interfere
with them and their rights under that conslitu-
ton as long as it remains unaltered. This may
be called revolution. / il IS, it is peaceful
revolution, under the forms Of law, and destroys
no mans rights.
I assume the position, also, that the people Of
Kansas have the right to alter, amend, or aboI
ish their constitution at any time they may see
proper, because that right IS reserved to them
in the bill ofrghts. There is a provision in
the bill of rights in these words
s. All political power is inherent in the people
and all free governments founded their authori
w, and instituted for their benefit and, therefore,
they have at all times inaenable and ndefeasi-
Bile tight to alter reform, abolish their form Of
government in such manner as they may think
proper"
1t is said that bill Of rights in a constitution
is the same as a preamble 10 law. What is
preamble to a law but statement OF the necessity
of a law 10 secure some right or redress some
wrong Il simply shows that up 10 that time
some night was left insecure, or some wrong
unredresSed, by reason OF the want OF law, 1t
does not reserve a right. 1t shows the necessity
of taking away from some the right to Iujure
their nei5hbors. But what does this section of
the. declaration. Of rights provide? That the
right Of TIE people TO utter, reform, or abolish
their form Of g0yerRmeHt, IN such manner as
they nay fhink proper, IS iaaiieaabie. The
definition of the word inaienabIe is, s.rights
tchtch cannot be giUan up." II this right is
laatteaabte il cannot be taken away BY any other
provision of the same constitution. Iflt is re-
served ia the peope--not gwen up BY them
it is pro, sion above ali others, aud must be
observed before all others because il is for the
security of the rights ofthe people against op-
preston and wrong. The rights OF the people
cannot be taken away or ourlailed except by an
express provision of law and when that pro-
vision comes in conflict with another provision
in the same instrument, by which certain right
is reserved to and declared 10 be inalienabe
and indeieasible in the people, the l2Jmer must
give away 10 the latter.
And now, Mr.. Chairman, have discharged
the duty undertook, in the 5es. manaer could.
I will record my vote for the admission Of
Kansas under the LecomPton constitution, BE-
cause believe the laws Of my country, waich
/ am bound TO support, demand il Of me- The
consequences 10 myself | nave nothing 10 do
with. / am in the hands ofthose who Eouored
me with a seal on this floor. They are honest.
Intelligent, and generous, aad / know they viii
do me the justice to believe that my OPINIONS
are honestly entertained. Ii they think I have
miSrepresen,sd them, and that there is another
more worthy OF capable 10 represent them here