Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1858-02-11
XXXVth CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
SESArE-FEp. ..

Mr.. Mason, from the Comm tee on Foreign Re-
lat.ons, reported bill to ndeu3iir tae master and
owners Off Spanish steiner Amisted and cargo
involving paynep. .or alledged slaves.
Mr. Sew, in behalf of Mr.. Foot and himself
sa,...ted minority report, stating that the 81 i'm
The Senate then passed the House bill, appro-
priatng $3.50 900 for the support OF the National
Armorcs. The Senate then resumed the consider
alton OF the Army bill.
The Presidents Message was transmitted to Con-
gress to-day, enclosing copy of the Lecompton
Constitution, with the ordinanc respecting the pub
lie lands, aid letter accompanying them from NJ.
Calhoun. The President opens with The assertion
that great delusion seems 10 pervadc the public
mind in relation to the coniiton OF parties in Kan
sas- Tnis rises from the difficulty OF inducing the
American people 10 realise the fact that any por-
ton OF them should be in site ofrebellion against
the government under which they hive. The Iii
vidin line 10 not between two political parties both
acl.no sledgng tie LAWFUL existence of the govern
ment. but between those who have cndeavored to
destroy it's existence by force and nsnrpation; be-
tween those who abstain ami those who have done
nj. in their power to overthrow the territorial gov
eminent established by Congress. Thisgovernmeni
they would long since have subrerted had it not
been protected from assaults by the troops Of the
United States.
The President then cites Gov. Walkers despatch
cSluCNc0 Oi Tue eAfetCf9sI ElOtG
ment III Kansas, and gives the history of the Tope.
kl Government In the very first paragraph he
s,7s that the message OF Gov. Robinson dated, the
7th December. to the Topeka Legislature, contains
an open defiance Of the laws ami Constitution OF the
United States. The Topeka Government adhered
to with such troasona5le pertinacity, Is govern
ment in direct opposition TO the existing govern.
ment prescribed and recognized by Congress. Such
principle, il cirried into execution would destroy
all lawful authority and pr duce universal Snarchy.
From this statement oil facts the reason becomes PAL
pable why the enemies of the government author
lied by Con ,ress, have refused vote for the Ken
sas Constitutional Convention, and also afterwards
ON the question OF slavery. Ii because they have
refused to sanction or recognize any other Consti-
tuition than that formed at Topeka. Had the whole
Lecompton Constitution been submitted to tho peo-
pie, the adherents o. this organization would doubt
less voted against it. because successful they would
thus have removed the obstacles from the way OF
their own revolutionary Constitution. Such being
the unfortunate condition 0fafairs in the territory.
what was the righ, as well as the duty of the law
abiding people? Were they silently and patiently
to submit to the Topeka usurpation, orto adopt the
necessary measures to establish Constitution IN
der the organic law of Congress, that this recog-
nzed the right OF the people OF the territory without
an enabling &c. Of Congress to form State Con-
stituuon is 100 clear for argument 1t Is impossi-
BILE that any people could have proceeded with
moro regularity in the formation of constitution
than the people of Kansas have done. I. was me-
cessary first 10 ascertain whether it was the desire
OF the people to be relieved from Territorial depen-
dency and establish aState Government. For this
purpose the Territorial lie islature in 1855. passed
law tiking the sense OF the people Of the territory
on the expediency of calling convention TO form
State Constitution. At the general election held
in Oct, 1856, the sense of the people was accord
ingly taken, and they decided in favor Of consti-
Ia =. -
of the Territorial Government did not vote because
they were engaged at Topeka, without the slightest
pretcxt OF lawful authority, IN forming constitu-
ton OF their own, for subr erting the Territorial
Government. In pursuance ofthe Convention, the
Territorial Legislature, on the 9th Feb, le57
passed an act for the election Of delegates OH the
| third Monday OF June. 1857, to frame State Con
stiu.ion This law is as fair in its provisions al
any that ever passed legislative body for similar
purpose.
The right of suffrage at this election IL clearls
and justly Defined Every bona fitie citizen OF the
uuted States above the age Of 81 years, anl who
had resided therein for three months previous Il
that date, were entitled 70 vote In order to avoid
TALL interference from neighborng States and Teri
tories with the freedom and fairness ofths election
provision was made for the registry of bona fds
votes, and pursuant thereof, 92s voters were reg
istercd Gov. Walker did his whole duty in urgiIl:
all qualified citizens to vote at this election.
|, The President argues that the Topekaitcs. by re
using TO vote AZ the election for delegates to th
Convention, authorized those who did vote to &C
for them The consequences OF their refusal {,
submit TO she proper authority, and vote. may ye
prove 20 DO most deplorabse. Our only safe
~ consists in obedience and conformity to law.-
Should general spirit against ts enforcement pre-
vail, this would prove fstal to Us as nation. NJ,
Buchanan continucs--from this revieurit IS mani
, tles that the Lccompfon Convention was legal
conakructcd and iuvc sted with nov er frame Con