Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1859-07-30
KANSAS.
July 40, 1850

hINOAo.
The wrongs perpetrated on the first settlers
Of the Territory of Kansas by pro-slavery
d..-,o.-..;o ad-,;n;St~ot;s-, ~~erling ont the
legitimate results of persecution in crystalizing
and rendering permanent the very principles
sought to be overthrow. The lessons in mod
ern democracy thus early and thoroughly learn
ed by the people of that territory are not likely
ly to be forgotten by them in the formation Of
their constitution. Some of our democratic
contemporaries were verdant enough to affect to
believe and claim that the constitutional con-
vention of Kansas would contain democratic
majority. They based their calculations on the
will and power of the national administration
aided by that supple tool of the democracy and
able manufacturer of fraudulent returns-Sam
uel Medary, whose exploits in Minnesota were
yet fresh in their memory. 1t seems, however,
that they had not made sufficient allowance for
the virtue and faithfulness of the friends of
freedom in Kansas. When the constitutional
convention assembled it was found that but
seventeen of the ffty-two members-or not
quite one-third were democrats.
The Bill of Rights reported to the Conven-
ton, and which is under consideration, indicates
the sentiments of that body on some of the
more important questions that have been in
controversy between the people on the one
hand and the federal executive and his officials
in the territory on the other. 1t sets out with
the declaration that all political power is inhe-
rent in the people; prohibits slavery in the
State; proclaims religious federation; defends
the soundness of the writ of habeas corpus
protects the freedom of Legislative debate; for
bids the transportation from the State of any
party for any offence committed within the
State limits prohibits Imprisonment for debt !;
insures to naturalized citizens the full privileges
accorded to natives and declares that no cti-
zen of the State shall be held to appear before
the Supreme Court of the United States on an
appeal from the Supreme Court of the State,
but that when appeals are taken on questions
of Interstate law they shall only be through or
from the District Courts of the United States.
A preamble, which precedes the Bill of Rights,
recites the fundamental law of the body polite,
declares the purpose of the instrument, and de-
fines the boundaries of the State of Kansas.
The following constitutional provisions have
been adopted:
No distinction shall ever be made by law be-
tween resident aliens in reference to the posses
sion, enjoyment or descent of property. The
Legislative power of this State to be vested in
the General Assembly, which shall consist of
Senate and House of Representatives. Twen-
ty-fve Senators shall be elected biennially, and
seventy-fve Representatives annually to consti
tute General Assembly. The Lieut.. Governor
to be President of the Senate.
The Judicial Department of the Government
is to be vested in Supreme Court, FIVE Dis
trict Courts, Courts of Common Pleas, Probate
Courts, Justices of the Peace, and in such other
Courts, inferior to the Supreme Court, as the
General Assembly may establish.
The Supreme Court is to consist of Chief
Justice elected for six years; two associate JUS
tees one elected for four and the other for two
years, majority constituting quorum for the
transaction of business.
The Judges of the District Courts are to be
elected by the electors of the respective districts
All elections by the people shall be made by
ballot and all elections by the Legislature shall
be pira roce. The general elections shall be
held on the first Tuesday in October and mu-
nicipal elections on the first Tuesday in April,
until otherwise provided by law. Suffrage is
confined to white male persons of twenty-one
years and upwards who have resided in the ter
ritory six months, and in the township or ward
ten days, next preceding the election; and in
cludes citizens of the United States and for
eigners who have declared their intention of
becoming citizens, with the usual disqualified
ton Of persons insane, non co,npos meftis, con-
yicted criminals, soldiers, dueiists, &c.
Several attempts were made by the demo-
Gratis to provide that Indians might enjoy the
right of suffrage, which were unsuccessful. The
Republicans took the position that as the word
white was insisted upon by the other side, they
were determined to give and enforce it to the
letter. If negroes and mulattoes were exclud-
ed from participation of the franchise, the
Indians must be treated in the same Manner
An effort was made to render common drunk
ard ineligible to any Office of trust or profit in
this State. The proposition failed by one vote.
The democratic side of the house united against
it.