The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1858-01-18
A NEW FRAUD.

\
they, by their tactics forced through the Con-
vention on the sth, but in the subsequent
proceedings when the popular impulses got
vent and insisted up an expression in the
form of Wallaces resolution in favor OF pop
ular sovereignty, and in condemnation OF
the Lecompton swindle, the managers
emasculated it by fraudulent mutilation of
its text after it had been voted upon by the
Convention. The resolution reported by the
Convention reads as follows:
Resolred, That we are still in favor Of the
great doctrine of the Kansas Nebraska bill;
and that by a practical application of that
doctrine the people of State or Of Terrific |
~ should be, as they are, inalienably invest |
ed with the right of ratifying or rejecting, at
the ballot box any Constitution that may be
framed for their government; and that nOt0
and hereafter no Territory should be admit
ted into the Union, as State, without iair
expression of the will Of its people being hrst
had upon the Constitution accompanying the
application for admission.
In the official proceedings ofthe Conven-
ton, as published in the State Sentinel, the
word n0sc in the sentence" that noso and here
after no Territory should be admitted into
the Union as State without an expression
"of the viii of its people," is omitted and
the sentence is made. to read "hersafter no ter
ritory should be admitted" and by implica
ton, excepting Kansas and the Lecomptor
Constitution from the scope ofthc resolution,
and thereby making them exceptionable
case, and indirectly Withholding an approval
of Douglas course. 1t was the mutilated form
of this resolution that gave the public the i'm
preston that the Douglas men had pusillani-
mously submitted to the declaration ofthe
Bright managers. But the exposure of the
fraud puts new aspect upon the matter, and
the truth appears to be that the political in
triguers were themselves beaten in their own
assembly. Mr.. r. j. Ryan member of the
Convention from NJ arion county in letter
to the indianapolis Journal gives the follow
ing account Of the matter.
sThe precise, egact and original resolution
offered by Mr.. Wallace, of Montgomery, con
tanned complete condemnation of the L.
compton swindle, and the unequivocal en-.
dorsement of Senator Douglass course in op
posing and denouncing it as violation o
the great principle of popular sovereignt.
enunciated by the Kansas Bill. But / an
perfectly willing to admit that If that resolu
ton was adopted only in the form published
by the Sentinel on the day succeeding tn
adjournment of the Convention, then zee wer
shamefully beaten by the wire pullers an,
tricksters, and that the said resolution is n
better, as it can be no worse, than the othe
thing called ga platform of Democratic prin
ciples." Ideny, however, that the resolutio
which passed the Convention was that whic
the Sentinel publishes as such. To this
am ut any moment ready to be qualified in
court OF justice.
Mr., Wallace's resolution as above quote
was the resolution sent to the committee an
reported back by them to the Conventio
with sundry amendments. These amend
Inents were voted down, as you are aware, b
over three to one, the honest masses Of ii
Convention having at last become thorough
ly aroused to the vital importance of the res
olution, and broken loose from the terrib
grasp of the politicians and office holde
which had held them down throughout I'll
day. Then came the struggle on the origins
resolution. Mr.. Chapman, of jefferson, WI
acted as chairman of the committee on reso
lutions in the temporary absence of Mr.. Woo
hees, sternly opposed the resolution on tv
principal grounds: 1st, That the word a.
alienabls denied to the people the right
delegating to their agents, cypress instru
tiOns to that eject the power to form col
stitution and put it in operation without sui
hitting it back for adoption or rejection; ar
I'd, That the word nOic plainly referred
censure of the President and his administer
ton! Now what was the result OF the stru!
gle! Why, gentlemen, we agreed that Il
word inaliendble might be stricken on
whether because the word itself did n
amount to much, or because the point ma'
against it by Mr.. Chapman was clear al
tenable, it is unnecessary to inquire, as bell
totally immaterial to the issue. In regard
the other objections of Mr.. Chapman, y
Holman rose and boldly declared that q
word NOW did refer to Kansas and the L
compton fraud, and that cith0n it the res
luton was utterly worthless. After furth
debate the resolution was carried by lar
majority, the Henry county delegation q
dressing theehair, and declaring by way
explanation that they voted for the resol
ton with the understanding that tho wo
nor was not intended as n censure of the A
mInistration. Here is the wEoe matter fa
ly and fully stated, and challenge contr
diction.
In regard to the contemplate fraud
which the very life and soul are strangl
out of the resolution in its publication, /
unable to trace its origin or authorship, 4
am disposed to try it. am not at all 81
prised at its Preparation. 1t is a fine a
striking feature in Lecompton politics, a
would do honor to the Machiavellian stat
manship of Lord President John Calho
himself. At all events 1t is in perfect CHI;
acter and keeping with the proceedings @
Convention, which, with many elements
redeem it from everlasting and damning
fanny, was yet, it must be confessed w
feelings of modification aud burning shan
packed with postmasters and swamp la
commissioners, who governed its action W
despotic sway, and stiaed every honest a
outspoken expression of opinion by violel
and fraud. In conclusion let me say, Il
the resolution was passed by the Convent
as have quoted it, and as it is publish
among the other resolutions by that sterli
Democratic paper the Shelby Volunteer.
That the resolution of the State Conve
ton embracing that declaration, truly
fleets the sentiments Of nine-tenths of
Democracy Of Indiana, is beyond all posi-
doubts" R. RYAN.