The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-01-07
Disfra "a hiss msnf Of the People la FIf-
teen Couaties In Kansas.

Among the arguments used by Governor
WALKER, in bis address, and referred TO by
Acting Governor STANTON, 10 bis message
published elsewhere,) il the fact, clearly sta
ted, that the people in fifteen counties in
Kansas had no opportunity to vote for Del
egates TO the Lecompton Convention. Dat
Of Mihy.fre counties in the Territory, the
inhabitants Of but nineteen were alowed 10
participate in the election.
10 speaking Of this, the latest develop
ment Of the manner in which the Lecomp-
ton Convention was constituted, the Phila.
delphia Press says that the principal argu-
ment by which the adoption Of the Lecomp-
ton Constitution ia defended, is, that the
people had a chance 10 vote for delegates,
and that those who failed 10 vote have no
right now to complain Of the consequences
Of their neglect. This statement only ap
plies to portion Of the people Of Kansas,
who, II is true, did refuse to vote. To the
people Of fifteen out Of the thirty,four coun
ties, it does not apply. Partisans Of the
CALHOUN stamp were appointed as Shcriffs
in those counties by the Territorial Legisla.
ture, and by designedly refusing 10 take the
census and reg,ser Tie rioters they produced
such q state of affairs that no person could
vote. We advise orr readers to carefully
peruse that portion Of Coy. WALKERS .etter
which refers to this subject. 1t strikes at
the very root of the Iecompton Convention,
and clearly shows that it had r'ta!-not
technical--de'ects in the very substance Of
its organization which could only "be
cured by the submission Of the Constitution.
The people Of those fifteen counties did not
all refuse to vote for delegates. On the con
trary, some Of them wanted TO elect repre-
sentatives to the Convention, but were de-
prived Of oil opportunity Of doing so. In
some counties they did their best to remedy
the rascally conduct Of their Sheriils by their
own voluntary action, and elected delegates
from three Of the counties on this basis, but
they were rejected by the Convention, and
the people of the other twelve counties Of
course clearly saw that it would also be use
less for them to act in similar manner.
FoRxEY's Press concludes an article on
this subject, with the following:
II in Pennsylvania a Convention should be
called 10 form a Constitution, and the peops Of
thirty Of the s,rfy odd counties Of the State should
have no chance whatever to vote for the dele.
gates, aud then have no opportunity TO vote for
or against the Constitution, but be obliged 20
bs governed by IL. the case would be exactly
similar TO that in Kansas.
Such method OF establishing q fundamental
law as this was never adopted in any other p0r.
ton Of the Union. II is utterly unprecedented
aud indefensbe, aud no sophstry can PALATE
or justify II. That such an Infamous system Of
Constitution-making should he adopted in a
Territory where, above all other places. the
principle Of popular sovereignty should have
been honestly and strictly observed. almost
surpasses human belief; and We are astonishei
that men from any section Of the Union can be
found 20 advocate its ratification upon the floor
Of Congress.