Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1858-02-26
rn EslDEN1.s KANSAS MESSAGE.

his KIM OF legislation Hau proven oefSnCld4t
ISRAEL POTTER.
PR EsIDENT,s ANsAs MESSAGE.
REPORT OF THE SENATEs CoMMITTEE-THE
MAJORITY IN FAVOR OF LECoMPToN-
DOUGLAS STRONGLY IN wOPPosIrIos-
WADE AND CuLLAmER DITTo.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 1S.-The report OF
Mr. Green from a majority of the Commit
tee on Territories, made today, recites at
length the events in Kansas. II asserts
that the people may. simply, as in ancient
times. in macs meeting make a constitution:
may elect representatives torssuke one, or
draft one themselves, and submit it for ap-
prorai or rejection, the last mode most gen
orally approved within the Lass few years,
though formerly the other mode was resorted
10.
The calling OF a convention in the case OF
Kansas was admitted TO be strictly legal, as
also the election of delegates; was it moi
loyal TO infer that q convention legally cal
led and legally elected, and clothed with
AUTHORITY 10 make a constitution, could no
more be interfered with by Governor, Judge
or Legislature, either to increase or diminish
It's power; TO alter modify, OF nullify its acts,
than the people could be interfered with
had they assembled en- masse, instead of by
representatives!
In conclusion the committee say that the
ab~oiitionists in Kansas had thus far sought
power by metho DIS unknown to the law, and
that by violence and not by peaceful agency
Of the ballot box, they claimed to have Civ
en- a maj 3riiy of the votes in the Territory,
and were therefore able to elect. q Legisla-
ture and a Convention; still they ask Con-
gress to do for them what they may at le-
gal Tins s aud ct legal places, do for them
selves, that is, change or abolish their COLI
SIT, tuition
II case Congress should fail to comply
with tileir unconstitutional demands they
threaten 10 afHict the country with blood
shed and revolution; unless Congress will do
for them whit they asser, they can do for
themselves, but which they wilfully refuse
to do, aud threaten to plunge the country in
to civil wEr,
This conduct is so exceedingly unreason-
able Gs to force the conviction that the abo-
Iitionists are conscious of being a hopeless
minority ani only expect 10 be able to COM
pass their purpose by departing from the
ways of peace and quictness.
The committee think that the Amerlca II
people will compel these maIconsents to
seek a peaceful redress for their grievances,
real or imaginary.
The Lecompton Convention had asked in
the name 9th people of Kansas to admit
her as a STATE, and The bill of tse committee
is for admitting her on equal terms with other
States. The bill also prescrib& the boun-
| aries and contains the usual regulations for
the grants of public lands as in the case oil
Minnesota, and gives Kansas fx tie present
one representative TO the House.
Mr.. Douglas in the report OF the minority
dissents from the views of the majority, for
reasons among others, that there is no salts
factory evidence that the Lecompton conven-
ton is the act and deed of the people of Kan
sac. or that it embodies their will.
He shows that the Convention was not
constitution without the assent of Congress
which had been expressly Withheld in this
case, henoe the Constitution only had such
power as a Territorial Legislature could
rightfuliy confer, and no more, which was to
form 8 constitution and send it to Congress
as u memorial for admission, which could be
accepted Or rejected according as it embodies
the popular will.
That all the proceedings of the Conven-
ton should have been held IN strict obedi-
ence to the Authority of the Territorial Gov
eminent, while in fnct it was declared to be
in force aud take effect in defiance of the
TprrifprIai (INuorumapf ne vuoIi nc ,u;4bo,,t
the consent of Congress.
That the only lawful election held on tn G
adoption OF the constitution, was that on The
4th Of January last which was in obedience
to the law passed by the Territorial Legisla-
ture established by Congress with full lcgis-
latige power on all rightfuI subjects withia
the Territory.
Messrs. Coliamer and Wade in submitting
their views, say, that the Territorial Govern
uaent OF Kansas was never organized as pro-
Vided in the organic act--that is by its own
people but was usurPed by a foreign force,
conquered and subdued by force Of arms, and
a minority Installed into power; which has
ever since been sustained by the General
Government, Instead of being examined in
to aud corrected.
This had been done 20 establish and per-
petuate s~alyery. The Lecompton Constitu-
tion was the result of these proceedings, and
contrary to the will of a great majority OF the
Deopse legally expressed, and for Congress in
its discretion to consnmmate this protracted
atroci:y, and for such a purpose, is a violation
of the fundamental principles of republican
| government, and can produce no permanent
satisfaction.
The people of the Territory in the late
| territorial election have reclaimed their rights
| aud the Territorial government is now, for
the first time. moving peacefully in itsslegiti-
mate sphere of promised freedom. The Lee
compton Constitution and its adoption, was
concocted 10 supercede the triumph OF JUS
tice. To admit Kansas under that censtitu-
ton is but to give success to fraud and en-
couragement TO iniquity.
The result would be to turn over that peo-
! pie with un election fairly and legally con-
Quoted to such State off GERS and Legis-
lators as Calhoun shall hereafter proclaim,
and on such contingency as he shall deter
mine.
Caiaoun's long, mysterious, inexcusable
INDIGESTION and reserve, but encourage ex-
pectations in both parties, one of which is
certainly doomed to disappointment.
The Missouri Democrat, which supported
Buchanan for the Presidency, will not pub
fish his Lecompton Message. 1t says that
"it is not a State paper in any true sense Of
the word, but on the contrary the merest It's
sue of special pleading to bolster up a fraud
ulent project. 1t neither contains unbiased
facts nor honest arguments, and moreover,
from the manifest suppression of some parts