Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-02-10

tault- A Gas
/ heartily rejoice that wiser and better
spirit prevailed among large majority or
these people on the first Monday of Jana-s
ary: and that they did. on that day, vote
under the Lecompton constitution for
Governor and other State officers. mem-
her of Congress and for ormembers ofthe Leg
islature. The election was warmly con-
tested by the parties, and larger vote was
'polled than at any previous election IN the
Territory We may now reasonably hope
that tthereYolutionary Topeka organization
viii be speedily,,and finally lyhbandoned, and
this will go far towards the final settlement
of the unhappy differences in Kansas. Ii
frauds have been committed At this elcc-
ton, either by one or both parties, the
Legislature and the people of Kansas. un-
der their constitution, will know how to
redress themselves and punish these de-
testable but too common crimes without
any outside interference. L
Thepeople of Kansas have, then, t.in their
own way" and in strict accordance with
the organic act, framed constitution and
State government have submitted the all
important question of slavery 10 the peo-
pie, and have elected a Governor, a men,
Der TO represent them in Congress. mem
hers of the State Legislature and other
State officers. They now ask admission
which IS republican in its form. 1t is for
Congress to decide whether they viii adj
NIT or reject the State which has thus
| been created. For my OWN part, am de-
| cideClly in favor of its admission, and thus
| terminating the Kansas question. This
Will carry out the great principles of nom
| intervention recognized and sanctioned by
| the organic act, which declares in express
| language in favor of ''non-intervention by
| Congress in theStates or Territories, leay
| ing ''the people thereof perfectly free to
| form and regulate their own domestic M
| stitutions IN their own way, subject only
TO the constitution of the United States"
| In this manner, by Iocalizing theseuestion
of slavery, and confining it to the people
whom it Immediately concerned, every
| patriot anxiously expected that this Ques-
| ton would be banished from the halls of
| Congress where it has always eNerted
baneful influence throughout the whole
| country.
| It is proper that should briefly refer to
| the election held under an act OF the Ter
/ ritorial Legislature on the first Monday of
January last, on the Eecompton Constitu-
ton. This election was held after the
! Territory had been prepared for admission
into the Union as a sovereign State, and
| when no authority existed in theTerritori-
/ al Legislature which could possibly destr oy
its existence or change its character. The
! election, peaceably conducted under my
| instructions, involved a strange ineon-
| sistency. 4 large majority of the persons
| who voted against the Lecompton consti-
tuition We're ut the very same time and
place We're recognising its valid existence
IN the most solemn and authentic man
ner by voting under its provisions. have
yet received no official Information of the
| result of this election.
AS question of expediency, after the
right has been maintained, 1t may be wise
TO reflect upon the benefits TO Kansas and
TO the whole country which would result
from its Immediate admission into the
| Union, as well as the disasters which may
| follow its rejection Domestic peace
will be the happy consequence OF its ad
mission, and that fine Territory, which
has hitherto been torn by dissensions will
rapidly increase IN population and wealth,
| and speedily realize the blessings and the
| comforts which viii follow in the train of
agricultural and mechanical industry. The
| people Will then be sovereign, and can re-
gulate their own affairs in their own way.
/ If a majority of them desire to abolish do
mestic slavery within the State there Is
no possible mode by which this can be ef-
tected so speedily as by prompt admission.
The will OF the majoTityis supreme and ir-
resistible when expressed IN an orderly
and lawful manner. They can make and
unmake constitutions at pleasure. 1t
would be absurd TO say that they can i'm
| pose fetters upon their own power which
they cannot afterwards remove If they
could do this they might tie their own
| hands for hundred as well as for ten
| years.
These are fundamental principles of A.
nerican freedom. and are recognized,
believe, in some form or other, by every
| State constitution /: and if Congress, in the
| act of admission, should think proper TO
recognize them, / can perceive no chico
ton 10 such course. This has been done
I emphaticaily in tae constitution of Kan
| Sas. 1t declares in the bill OF rights that all
/ political power is Inherent IN the people
and all free governments are founded
on their authority and Instituted for their
benefit and therefore, they have at all
times an inalienable and iudefeasi6le right
/ to alter, reform or abolish their form of
government in such manner as they may
/ think proper The great State of New
York Is at this moment governed under
a constitution framed and established in
direct opposion 10 the mode prescribed by
the previous constitution. If, therefore,
the provision changing the Kansas consti-
tuition. after the year 1864, could. By pos
slbllity, be construed into prohibition to
make such 4 change previous to that pc
riod, this prohibition would be wholly un-
availing. The Legislature already elected
may, at Its very first session, submit the
/ question TO a vote of the people. whether
they win or will not have convention 10
amend their constitution, and adopt all
necessary means 10 give effect 10 the pop
ular will
1t has been solennniy adjudeed by the