Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1858-04-15
uysAS-THE LECOMPTON CONSTITUTION.
: p e q @ III
hon. c.. A. GROW.
In the House of Representatives,
MARCH 25, 1858.
) p e q G III
IN the House of Representatives,,
IT. GROW said

Mr. UNIV oaiu
pr the third section of the fourth article o
Constitution, it is provided that "nev
,,es NAV be admitted by the Congress into
w Tnon." Under that clause eighteer
,-s, have been added to the Union since it.
B.mation : thirteen with and FIVE without al
If Congress authorizing the formation Of
IN S-ate government. But in every applica
!, whether with or without an enabling act
ii first and most important question for the
rnnation of Congress is, whether the con.
5rton presented embodies in its essential
" rres the will of the people to be affected
H. fit does not, then it should be reject
III no matter what the authority or mode oi
4 arnation. The people of Territory have
ii ieht like any other portion of the Ameri
people, under the first clause of the amend
NL1ts to the Constitution, to petition the 60
rlment at all times, and it is in the discre
NJ nary power of Congress to grant their pray
Y not The application of people for ad
NJ sion as State is, in all cases, in the nature
NJ petition An enabling act is not, there
a. absolutely necessary for the people of =
" E-.ory before they can proceed to form q
u l,utOn and State government, in order
mly for admission into the Union. Yet
" he territorial government is established by
III ,r2ss. it cannot be superseded by any 9th
W ,7ernment without the assent of Congress
"A not, however, material whether that as
VI be given before or after the action of the
Il pie of the Territory.
NJ take this occasion, in passing, to express
1bigations to my colleague, Mr.. Phil
VI for the notice and Importance which he
-lcbei to my views on this point, expressed
II me in the last Congress. AS he quoted
Y IN with approval, l am rejoiced to know
s he and his political associates still adj
Y s to one doctrine of the Jackson democra
and | hope that they may yet return tc
II principles and teachings of Jefferson and
/ efatherS Of American democracy, from which
hn the last few years, they have so widely
Flyed
The great question which presents itself ir
N case is. does the constitution meet the
N Of the people who are to he affected by
That has been the first and the control
N ], question in the action of Congress on eve
II APPLICATION for a new State in the history
III the government. In the case of Michigan
came here against the forms prescribed
her action ; yet Congress took the will o.
III people, and set aside all formalities.
II IN the case upon which we are now called
III act, We have only the form of constitu
Z presented by one man, and the argument
the President in its favor while the peo
IA Of Kansas, who are to be affected by it
Test against admission into the Union un
u It in every form by which they can make
f'r will known.
The entire history of the Lecompton consti
Fm proves that large majority of the peo
Of Kansas are opposed toit. The evidence
this fact, in the possession of the House, il
Femonstrauce of its citizens laid upon YOU
" L, the protest of the State officers elected
1ar this constitution, also of the delegate oil
floor the resolutions of the legislative as
3abIy, and the vote of the people on the 4tl
W January In all the reliable information
the Territory there is but one opinion ex
HsSed as to the opposition of the people t.
constitution. Governor Walker, in hi
Ter to General Cass, says:
state It as fact based on long and intimate asst
~ WIN the people of Kansas, that an overwhelmln
1lT o. that people are opposed to that instrument
ID! letters state that but one out OF twenty OF th
M !" ~ hlnsas sustain il - = y " Indeed, di
tt as We may to ourselves under the influence of th
I :" excitement, the facts will demOnstr ate that an
lf ny Congress to force this constitution upon I'll
F o. Kansas will be an effort to substitute the wi
si4d minority for that Of an overwhelming major
Iepeope Of Kansas
'oVernor Stanton corroborates this stat
feat and adds:
can only be maintained by the arms of the feder'
sameht forcing the constitution upon the peop
s . 'heir declared will, and against every principle
'o''dA'Sm, democracy, right, and Justice"
'ne State officers elected on the 4th 0
auary last, under this constitution, protes
ne following language
" 1ae officers elected under said constitution, q
pectIuly and earnestly pray your honorable bt
,s,; " ADMIT Kansas into the Union under said col
,Iu, and thus force upon an unwilling people an o
.ry n & against their express tcH, and IN violation
principle Of popular government
'' also nave the resolutions OF the leglsl'
y, assembly of the Territory, passed on tn
',u " January, declaring
. ,a' ne people Of Kansas being opposed to said co
siI 1 ,ongress has rightful power under it 10 a
territory into the Union State, and we Il
oN of said people, do hereby, in their nam
pion ielr behalf, solemnly protest against such a
Aud On the last day of its session the legi
.s y. passed, unanimously, the following r.
s we do hereby for the last time soemnly prote
on,te e admission of Kansas into the Union under Il
HP,oh constitution ; that we hurl back, with sc0r
s, ,s charge contained in the message Of the Pres
rt H.. npanying the LecOmpton constitution, to Il
al ri t Tue ireemen Of Kansas are lawless peopl,
b.4 aS upon the justice Of our cause, we do herel
s rselvs.o. the people represent, solemnly pied
StstSa" each other, to friends in Congress and
,es = our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred hono
iorrs| |e y, Lecompton constitution and government
our b., arms il necessary that in this perilous ho
tuds "s we appeal to the civilized world for 4
our position, and call upon the friends of fri
ppressi'n 70 array themselves against the last
M - 'h IN the Kansas DRAMA
5s.a r%: they have protested in every for
# 70 The organism of our government,