Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-05-22

aside this inaction of theirs, come into the elec-
tions, and participate in the Government. For
this, Mr.. Stanton says, Governor Walker became
the object of utter hostility to Mr.. Cahouns party
They did not want Cancellation. They demanded,
as the same witness says, repression. They wanted
penalty, not persuasion. They did not know what
the result of this persuasion might be in the cleo
tons Afterwards to take place on the constitution
1t was necessary, therefore, to mike provision
against the possible effect of these persuasions
and arguments of Governor Walker; it was, there
fore, necessary TO put in, though nobody opposed
them, six thousand votes for the constitution, they
believing that that a majority of the greatest
number Of votes ever given any occasion in
the Territory, and so it is stated here. They just
went beyond the Ene; and for fear of rendering it
more monstrous, and the fraud more visible, they
went Just 80 far as the necessity demanded the
fraud. They did not choose to use it superluously
They rather husbanded it, to be used as the occa
sion might require, and no more than was required.
/ cannot shut my eyes to this fact These prepa-
rations, then, in the schedule of the constitution
were made in anticipation of the vague dangers
that were apprehended. Itwas greatly important
to carry through this constitution, greatly import
ant to preserve their authority under the consti-
! tuition. There were two Senators of the United
States to be elected. All the officers of the State
government were to be constituted. These were
to be the reward of those who had labored.
These seem to me to be preparations made for
fraud; and when / come to compare them with
the action which took place afterwards the design
and the act, the purpose and fuflment Of 1t, make
the proof perfect. The means of doing it, the
means of facilitating it, are given in the consttu.
ton. The actual preparation of it afterwards at
the polls is seen. 1t is seen in the election upon
the constitution. 1t is seen in the election of the
4th of January, for officers under the new consti-
tuition. There is where these Frauds lately devel-
oped were practsed TO such enormous extent.
There is where these little precincts distinguished
themselves.
Another fact may be noticed, that this conven-
ton TO make constitution were TO meet, by law,
in September, and go to their work. They met
then. Did they go to work? No. Why did
they notp There was al election of the Terrific
rial Legislature to take place in the October fol-
lowing They, wanted to know the result of that
election; TO know how tie land lay; whether all
was safe or rot; whether any point was necessary
to be guarded in the constitution; whether there
were any unexpected ajoritirs rising up whether
there were any distractions III the way of ordi-
nary frauds. They wanted TO see what the
character Of the new Legislature, that they might
meet the emergency and meet the exigency with
any constitutional provision that might be neces-
sary to perpetuate their power. They therefore
adjourned TO day after the election. The Le-
gslature was elected and that Legislature turned
out, notwithstanding all the frauds that were
-
Legislature being against them, now what is thepro-
vision they made in the constitution9 The officers
of election, end other officers of the Government
were, many of them appointed by the Territorial
Legislature. They thought, "Now, here has come
in, in October, Legislature opposed to us. What
so likely but that they who have complained Of
frauds from Government officials, willnow change
the officers aud change the mode OF election Y
What theng They declare in the schedule that
all who are in office now, shall hold their Offices;
that all the laws in existence now, shall continue
in existence until repealed by Legislature which
shall meet under the State organization under the
constitution. That sences completely the Ter
rtoial Legislature, and paralyZes its power. That
was security against them, and left the conyen-
ton aud its party TO take the chances at the
future election TO be held, by their officials,
the 4th day OF January last, as provided by them,
and then they were 10 make another final death
struggle for supremacy; and then, indeed they did.
| lave seen the report of the commissioners lately
appointed by the Territorial Legislature Of Kan.
sas TO investigate the frauds. There this Gov
ernmen party did make efforts more than worthy
of all their former practices in fraud in order TO
secure the Legislature, which, under the constitu-
ton, would make Senators Of the United States
II was here that Oxford, that Shawnee, that Kick.
apoo, distinguished themselves in the multiplicity
Of votes, ieigned and fraudulent.
When you see such things as these in the con
stitution, when you see ouch things as these
all around the constitution, when you the same
men who made the constitution rulers in the land
during the whole time, do you not see that the
frauds have been everywhere, that the imposition
upon the people has been everywhere? And how
can you exempt q ON the contagon (f there was
nothing more than this general association from
which 10 iDfer I'D this constitution and those who
made IL? Judging from the positive internal eyi-
dence that exists in it, and the facts that surround
il, cannot believe that to impose il upon them,
violates the right Of the people TO govern them
selves | believe this constitution is the work OF
lraud-traud upon the rights Of the people.
do nOt undertake 10 defend the free-soilers for
their conduct. IL is not my part nor my province.
| should agree, perhaps, with the President that
. much of their conduct has been of disreputable
disorderly, aud seditious character. 1t may be
that IL deserves the epithet Of " rebellion which
the President applies 10 it, | have nothing to do
with that. / avn not their advocate. have dis.
approved oftheir conduct in many instances. There
were many bad men among them, as believe, but
for them the Law assigns its proper punishment.
The majority Of the people have their political
rights, that remain, notwithstanding their legal
oficnses. 1t is in that point Of view il in their
{ political character as the people Of Territory,
: that we are now TO regard them. Whether they
BE- more less guilty one side or the other is
not the question. / fear that neither party could
take the chair Of mpartiality and justice and be
, shameless enough 70 attempt TO administer re-
: buke to the oth,r.
One great objection TO their admission al all, is
that they have not shown by their conduct On any
? side, that they are altogether ht for association
with the States Of this Union. A little more ap-
premiership, little more practice of honest and
fair dealing, little more spirit Of Submission aud
subordnation TO law and authority, would be
Q well learned by them, and &c and qualify them
D much better for citizens OF the United States.
{ That is my opinion. have, however, spoken o.
their political rights men, and it is not for me tc
: sit in judgment to condemn aud deprive them Of
the right OF suffrage one side or the other, be
D cause Of frauds committed by one, or violence
practiced by another. This is political question
1t is said, however, that the series Of legalites
s and technicalities, TO which have alluded, Of
regular election, Of regular convention, of sub
& mission to the people, and Of votes Of the peopl,
= upon all these questions, have been regular ant
z what then? IL is further said, on the othei
d side that all the people had right to vote
aud those who did not vote forfeited their right tc
complain; and we not to inquire whether there
c were any people who did not vote, or whether
o those who did vote voted fairly and were entitled
+ to vote not. IL is sail we are precluded by the
,, forms in which this tranaction is enveloped; that
: the oma election, the fomal certificate of elec-
u. Al. l.. IL