True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-02-24

-.
ton in Kansas, ever sirce the day Of it,
organization, is but history of repeated
injuries and usurpadons. ,
In vindication of their rebellion, they
could point you to the fact, that by your
organic act you solemnly pledged the ma
tion's faith that the people of Kansas
"should be left perfectly free 10 FORM
AND REGULATE their domestic institutions
in their own way, subject only 10 the
Constitution Of the United States. II
vindication of their rebellion, they coult
point you to the glowing words of the
great Declaration, "that all men are Gre
aled equal, and endowed by their Creator
with the rights of life and liberty )" and
that to secure these rights, Government
are instituted against them, deriving theil
Just potOerS from the CONSENT OF TIT
GOVERNED" These words of the Decla
ration still live; like the words of Luthe
they are half battles; they possess vital
ity; they were accredited in the day o
our nations peril as the law and the
voice Of God to day they announce tht
great right of self government, upor
which rcsIs the beautiful fabric Of ou
free institutions. Let the wronged mer
Of Kansas, in protest against your propo
sed act of tyranny-your violation of the
natural and guaranteed right of self gov
ernment-but appeal to the whole peopl
of America in the living and immorla
words of the Declaration, and their ap
peal will not be made in vain; it vii
stir the American heart like the blast o
trumpet.
Mr.. CLEMENS, Will the gentleman
from Ohio allow me to ask him ques
tion
Mr.. BINGHAM. Yes, sir.
Mr.. CLEMENS. You have cited tn
language of the Declaration Of Indepen
dence, that all governments derive thei
just powers from the consent Of the gov
erned Will you be kind enough to te
me whether, according to the populs
system of government, the people can az
except under law and by law, or wheth
er there is any such thing, so far as tn
sovereignty of the people is concerned
as acting except in consonance and con
lormily with the existing law?
Mr. BINGHAM. I have not claime'
anything else else than that; therefor
the gentleman might as well have save
himself the trouble Of presenting such
question for my consideration. But
would like to ask the gentleman fror
Virginia if he undertakes 10 say that thi
Kansas code, called code of laws, an
Which this Lecompton Constitution ex
pressly endorses, is law ;! Will the gen
lleman be so good as to answer that.
Mr.. CLEMENS. Who is to decide tha
question Is it The people Of Kansas :!
Mr.. BINGHAM, will tell the gentle
man who is 10 decide tha! question. w
are to decide it cir; and that gentleman
in common with all of US, is bound b
his oath to decide il.
Mr.. CLEMENS. Very well. | ADM
that. | come TO another question.
Mr.. BINGHAM. only gave way t
the gentleman to ask me one question
aud not to occupy my time. He wi
please excuse me, When get through
| will, if the Committee pleases, answe
him ill sundown.
Sir, The great right of self-governmer
cannot now be set aside by the pueril
conceiIs Of demagogues, whether embo,
led in Presidents message or an instrl
ment framed by conspirators. The L.
compton Constitution directly contravene
this rIgh. Of self-government, and PR
poses to legalise forever the violation
life, and liberty, and property, and TO e.
tabish Government, armed with tn
fatal, power, against the consent of II
governed. What colorado apology ca
be made for his criminal conspirac
against the rights of mankind--for tn
attempt TO repudiate the vital element
American Institutions? Surely none ca
be found in the assertion ofthe Presden
that the requirement TO submit the aVho
Constitution to the people was not inse
ted in the Kansas.Nebraska act !" an
"the Convention was not bound by il
terms to submit any other portion Of Il
instrumental an election, except tn
which relates TO the domestic institute
of Slavery" This is the most remarkab
language to come from the Chief Magi
trae of the American Republic, The r
quirement 10 submit the whole Conslit
ton to the people was not inserted in Il
arganic act of Kansas; therefore, the CO
vention of delegates, The peoples servant
are not bound 10 submit the Constitute
which they have framed to their master
for their appr oval or disapprovaI! Is Il
servant greater than his lord-the ere
ture greater than his creator What q
these delegates but the servants Of 4
people? What powers or rights ha,
they, not delegated by lhe>people! T
right to frame State Constitution is i
herent in the people, and is inalenab
|. was well said, on memorable occasio
by distinguished Senator, then represe
ting with pre'eminent ability the State
Missouri:
Conventions ITO form State Constitution
were original acts Of the people. They {
. pended upon Inherent and inalienable RICH
1.-THE people of any State may, at any tin