The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1864-02-20
For the Union.
rHR Acr1or OF OUR rnaIs11ruRK

sASs.A "SeAuSO ~ 1851 1llV1y, U eAv ess- -
our Legislature in eleeting - Unfsed States
Senator, who cannot take his seat until March,
1865. Not being q political man, had not
kept myself posted on these matters, and SO
was taken by surprise when ! saw the notice
for the meeting which was held in your city
on the evening of that day. But the more I
reflect on this action of our Legislature, tie
more clearly do 1 perceiss that It must AAss-
been conceived in sin and brought forth in
iniquity," and it is entirely anti-republican
and anti-democratic; and the more strongly
do feel that the people ought to understand
the whole matter. in order to protect themselves
against such vile impositions. Let the electors
of Kansas look calmly at the facts. -
| The Legislature which has perpetrated this
foul outrage upon the peoples rights, was elect
ed without one thought Of its being called to
perform the important duty Of electing Sem
ator in Congress. The members Of the State
Senate were elected almost two years ago,
when other pressing and important matters
occupied the whole attention of the people:
and the Representatives were elected almost a
year ago, when no thought had been given to
| this subject, because no one had any idea that
| it would come up during their term Of Office.
And the subject of United Statee Senator not
having been discussed or agitated, these Leg
islators could not and did not know the wishes
state of ignorance they have acted, without
regard to the wishes of the people in this i'm
portant matter, and, it would seem, in defiance
of them, and for the purpose of forestalling
and preventing the accomplishment Of their
desires. At least this is the way the thing
looks to me. .:..r
And it must not be forgotten that another
Legislature will be elected, both branches of
it, and will assemble two months before this
Senator, now so prematurely chosen, can take
his seat in Congress. The members of both
branches of that Legislature will be elected
with the full knowledge in the minds of the
people that it will be part of their inn
portant duties to elect Senator to the highest
branch of our National Congress. -.
Hence the subject viii be agitated, tho peo-
pie will express their views and wishes upon
it. and will elect those Legislators in view Of it.;
and thus they will know how to act to carry
out the desires of their constituents. And that
Legislature will meet in ample time to choose
Senator and have him on hand at the open
ing of Congress. They will be prepared, hon
estly and understandingly, to carry out the
wishes of the people in this matter, which our
present Legislators were not prepared to do.
Another thing should be remembered. These
are times of great anxiety and rapid change.
The state Of the nation is peculiar and critical,
and who knows what year. or a month even,
may bring forth? Men are rapidly changing
i their views, their positions and their actions,
as new conditions and emergencies arise. The
condition of men and things may be SO changed
in year from now, that he whom it might be
proper and judicious to elect now, if it we're
proper to elect any one, would not be the pro-
per and right man then. In such times As the
present this is a matter of weighty considera-
ton; and strongly shows the impropriety Of
what our Legislature has done. ,c.@
But this very consideration, am told, is
presented as the only excuse to justify what
they have done. They say they feared that if
Gov. Carney was not elected now he could not
be next year. But this excuse or reason savors
so strongly Of self-conceit, Of infdelity to the
trust reposed in them, Of disregard Of the
wishes of their constituents. and Of even q
determination TO thwart their Wishes and Of
political intrigue and dishonesty, that should
suppose no sensible man would present it. It
is as we have seen, the very reason why they
should not have taken this action now In
deed, cannot imagine any good reason or ex-
cusc for what they have done. And should
think this premature, improper and unprece-
dented action would have q direct and sure
tendency to kill politically him who is thus
elected, and all who took part in the infamous
deed. The people must remember such things.
They must not forget that The price Of Eber-
| ty is eternal vigilance" He who has proved
recreant once to the trust reposed in him, and
/ to his duty to his country from pccuniary, sell
FISH, or any other motive, must never again be
trusted. Let the. people see to this if they
! would preserve their liberties and rights un-
| furnished. -. zn .s.,i ~ ~,
This ac:ion of our Legislature teaches one
sad and important lesson which all should pom
d.r -<This stste is cot yet prepared for peace
and prosperity, No rejecting mind will doubt
that one great cause o. our present var, and
the sad state of our bleedlccss country, I" the
corruption of our publie men, snt the imProp-
er courses Of action which they have nus oeen
led to pursue This has been . great and c..v-
ing evil all over the country, and one which
must be removed before we have any reason 70
expect permanent peace and prosperity Is
Nation. The Nation is made up Of the States.
While the State remains corrupt the nation