The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1858-01-20
Kansas Question,

Kansas Question,
There are two distinct aspects in which the
kaI sas question may be viewed by men ofdif-
ierent mil d. and diSSimilar political feeling
First, it may be regarded in the aspect in which
it has ever presented itself to the Democratic
party, as a question of law and order from the
beginning, to be conducted ard settled on ra-
tional and established principles. and to end, as
the formation of other States out Of other Ter
ritories, in practical exemplifeation Of the
doctrines Of our Republican government; or,
second, it may be regarded, as it seems to have
been seen and treated by the Black Republican
psrty-from the hour the passage ofthc Kan,
sas Nebraska act--as theatre for revolution
ary struggle; as a coveted opportunity for con-
testing all the obligations Of precedent and law
governing the case ard as a means for putting
the course ofall rational government in contempt
1t may be useful to take brief review OF the
case, from which it will be seen that the Demo
Gratis have uniformly sustained the 'egalty of the
Government and laws of Kansas, and the Black
Republicans have as uniformly called them Jogus,
and done every thing in their power to submit
and destroy both.
The bill organizing territorial government
passed into law of the United States, and in
conformity with its provisions, Governor and
other officers were appointed by the President.
In short time the Governor, (REEpEr,) by vir-
tue Of authority vested in him, issued his proc
lamation calling upon the people to elect dele
gates to form the legislative body. The election
was held, and as charged at the time, frauds
were pcrpetrated at some Of the polls. The
Governor set aside the returns in certain cases
seven we think--as to which new election
was ordered and deld. He finally granted Ger
tiicaes Of election or commissions to all the
members of the Legislature and that body met
and organized The government of the United
States recognized the Legislature of Kansas as
legal and competent. SO did the Democratic
party in and out Of Kansas. But the Black Re-
publican party both in and out Kansas, insisted
on raising a rebcllious cry against the govern
ment both of the United States and of the Ter
rtory and to insist that real or pretended
naejority had not only a right to govern the Ter
rtory Of Kansas Independently Of the govern.
,ment Of the United States and Of the establish
ed Territorial government, but actually to set
them aside. They did worse than clamor, they
proceeded to acts, aud attempted to subvert the
existing government of the Territory and the
authorityo the Union, by the proceedings Of
the Convention conveyed by the couspirators OF
Topeka, justifying their yioIenceand moral trea-
son on this very absurd and dangerous doctrine
of "the right Of the mejority to rule" The
Legislature proceeded to pass laws for the furth-
er government of the Territory some Of which
were good and others bal, but all Of which, not
in contrayention ofany act of Congress or the
Constitution Of the United States, were valid;
and among these valid laws, one was passed
authorizing at a certain time, and in certain
manner, the election of delegates to Conven-
ton to form Constitution, with the view to the
admission of Kansas as a State into the Union.
But the Black Republicans pleading 'the right
of the majority to rule,' insisted that it was
thcir duty and their right to resist the laws,
both good and bad, as enacted by the Legisla-
ture--denounced the contemplated Convention
as being incapable oflegal life, and declared their
determination not to accept but to resist any
Constitution emanating from that bogus assem-
blage. The Territorial act relating to the cleo
ton ofDelesates to the Convention, required a
registry ofthe votes to be taken as condition
precedent to voting; but they refused to be reg.
,stered declined ovote on the day ofelection.
What a:ccssa,iiy was the effect ofthis (? Even
Governor WALKER, and those who seem strong
ly to suppose that he had some official connec-
tion with this subject, admit that the omission
ofa majority to vote at an election duly and
legally held, so far from vitiating the election,
does not effect its legality at all, but that all
arebound by it, be they few or many, There
tho election for nombers OF tho Conyention, and
these hOo thousand too hanEysl potes aag,testiona
bly represented the popular souereignty Of Kansas,
and constituted 10 all iatents and purposes the pea.
IPe ~ AMsts ~ ~ IuIIo CsrAlH tfiab IN lne
matter Of this Constitutional Convention, tho
Federal Government and the people Of the Uni
ted States could recognize Kansas politically o.
as body corporate only through the character
Of the actnaI sulFragrants. The legality Of the
l Convention did not admit Of question. Il was
assembled in virtue ofan election held under d
law ofthe Territory, and It strictly represented
inits political character the views, wishes and
intentions Of the bona 6dc inhabitants Of Kansas,
who had made their existence known by par
tyicirsting in the movement. The Convention
proceeded 70 deliberate on tho pian Of d consti-
taticn, framed tho instrument since published
sas the result Of its labors. principally shaped
b. the efforts and votesgftl.s free State Deno-
Gratis III Ne CONVENTION, and suBmitted the Con.
stitution with slavery Or without slavery. !.
for The popular ratification Or rgsction, paseissEg
In aAs ncas The aloOst unanimous eonsttHspsg, ro-