The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-03-11

use, and 10 move in concert and in
masses, the idle and the lawless men
sent into Kansas by the fanatics Of
Ncw-England have become danger
Gus and formidable. But their num-
bcrs have been, it is believed, great
| ly exaggerated; their power consists
in their superior organization and
arms, and in their being supported
in idleness. When called upon to
vote for OF against the calling Of u
Convention 10 form a Constitution,
these mercenaries Of political priests
did not venture 10 measure strength
at the polls with the Democratic par
ty Of Kansas, but allowed the elcc-
ton 10 go by default
so, again, when the members of
the Convention were elected, the Alb
olitianists shrunk from the contest.
SO, also, when the question came mp
whether there should or should not
/ BIC clause retained in the Constitu.
ton allowing slavery 10 be estab-
lishcd in Kansas, they again shrunk
from the contest, conscious Of their
weakness, or from sinister political
design. Ii is possible there may be
a majority Of citizens in Kansas from
the Don-slavcholding States, bat all
arc not aboIitionists OF fanatics on
the slave question. Why this con
tinucd absence from the polls il they
had the real strength with which to
take possession of the Legislature,
aud thus peacefully end all difficult
ties by having everything their "own
way p
At the late election Of State off.
GERS, they excrted their strength in
union with certain favoring elements,
and ~ close was the contest, even
when thus aided, that the result is as
yet unknown.
The only election which they ever
carried was that which was held last
fall and their success is readily ac-
counted for without resorting to tho
supposition that the Abolitionists
compose majority, or even fourth,
Of the votes Of Kansas.
Az to their vote upon the Consti-
tuition, given upon the 4th of Janua-
ry last, two weeks after the day ap-
pointed by the only competent au.
thority to appoint day, little need
DO said. for it was utterly irregular,
and was thrown upon a day other
than tho legal one, for the purpose of
casting contempt upon the govern.
ment. Votes cast without lawful
authority upon q question decided,
and with purpose to unfavorably
affect what il lawful, orderly and
right, are entitled to no considers
iton at the hands of those who dc
not claim 10 favor lawlessncss and
anarchy.
That men who habitually set all
law ut defiance, and who consider
all restraint upon their wishes as
tyranny, should report that they have
cast ten thousand votes against .
Constitution, when, upon the same
day and ut the same places. they
were able to rally in favor of their
candidates for Office not so many
voters by three or four thousand, will
surprise no ono and influence no one.
Az good citizens, il was their duty
to have voted ON the lawful election
day ; AZ turbulent persons. they
chose 10 vote two weeks afterwards;
hence, had they numbered millions.
their numbers would not conceal nor
palliatc. far less justify, their open
disregard and contempt Of law.
Some consider the submission of II
Constitution to vote If the people
for ratification as necessary to its
validity. In this opinion the Com
mittcc do not concur The people
may assemble, as in ancient days, in
mass meeting, and make Constitu-
ton; they may elect representatives
Ia make one for them; or they may
elect representative To draft one Ia
be submitted Ia them for approval or
rejection. The last method il most
approved Of during the past few
years, though formerly the second
method was very generally rcsorted
Ia.
The calling of the Constitutional
Convention Of Kansas is generally
conceded to have been strictly legal.
The election of its members is also
admitted to have been legal. Is il
not logical to infer that Convcn.
ton legally called, legally elected,
and clothed with authority to make
a Constitution. can me- more bs inter,
tcrcd with by Governor. Judge, or
Legislator, either a. increase or iii.
minishits powers, or 10 alter. modify
or nullify its acts, than the people
u 4