The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-03-11
NEW SERIES-NO l23


vote in order TO give II validity.
Had entertained such an opinion,
this would have been in opposition
TO many prcccdents in our history,
commencing in the very best age of
our republic. ltwould have been in
opposition TO tho principle which per
vadcs our institutions, and which Is
every day carried into practice, that
the people have right TO delegate
10 the representatives chosen by
themselves their sovereign power To
frame constitutions, enact laws, and
perform many other important acts,
without requiring that these should
be subjected to their subsequent ap-
probation. !; would be u most liz
convenient limitation Of their own
power, imposed by the people on
themselves, 10 exclude them from cx-
ercising their sovereignty In any
lawful manner in which they think
proper. II is true that the people Of
Kansas might, il they had pleased,
required the Convention to submit
the Constitution 10 the popular vote,
but this they have not done.
The only remedy therefore in this
case IL that which exists In all other
similar cases. If the delegates who
framed the Kansas Constitution,
have in any manner violated the will
Of their constituents, the people al.
ways possess the power 10 change
their Constitution or laws according
~ their own pleasure. The question
Of slavery was submitted 10 the cleo
ton of the people ON the 2lst Of De-
cember last, in obedience 10 the man.
date Of the Constitution. Here, again,
q fair opportunity was presented TO
the adherents Of the Topeka Consti.
tuition, il they were the majority, TO
decide this exciting question, IN
thier own way and thus restore the
peace Of the distracted Territory;
but they again refused 70 exercise
the right Of Popular Sovereignty,
and again suffered tho election TO
pass by default ] heartily re-
joicc that wiser and better spirit
prevailed among large majority Of
these people on the first Monday In
January, and that they did on that
day vote under the Lccompton Con.
stitution for "a Governor and other
State officers, member of Congress,
and members Of the Legislature,
This election was warmly contested
by the parties, and larger vote
pollcd than at any previous election
in the Territory. We may now rea-
sonably hope that the revolutionary
Topeka organization will be speedily
and finally abandoned, and this will
40 far toward "A final settlement Of
the unhappy differences In Kansas.
IT frauds have been committed at
this election by one or both parties,
the Legislature and the People Of
Kansas, under their Constitution,
know how 10 redress themselves and
punish these detcstablc but too com
mon crimes, without outside inter.
fcrcDcc
The people Of Kansas have then,
in their own way" and in strict nc.
cordancc with the organic act, framed
q Constitution and State Govern.
rncnt, have submitted the all-impor.
tant question Of slavery to the peo
Pile, and have elected Governor "
Member Of Congress, members of the
State Legislature, and other State
officers, and they now ask admission
into the Union under this constitution,
republican 10 its form. 1t is for Con-
grcss 10 decide whether they will al.
nit or reject the State which has Thus
been created.
For my own part, am decidedly
in favor Of its admission, thus termi-
mating the Kansas question. This
will carry out the great principle
OF nOD-iDtervention sanctioned by
the organic act which declares in
express language IN favor Of the
non-intervention Of Congress with
slavery in the States and Territories,
leaving the people perfectly free
10 form and regulate their domestic
institutions in their own way" sub
jcct only TO the Constitution Of the
United States. In this manner, by
localizing the question Of slavery
and confning il 10 the people who
are Immediately concerned, every
patriot anxiously expected that this
question would 10 banished from
the halls Of Congress, where II has
always exerted baneful influence
10 the country.