White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1867-10-31
TO THE VOTERS OF
KANSAS.

Inc LegiSiatnre 0t the State has, IN ifR
wisdom. presented to you for action.
three distinct propositions to amend the
Constitution of our State: One to strike
from il the word "white." thus enfrsn
chising all male ci,izens of the age Of
twenty one years. without respect to
color. Another, striking ont the word
"msls." ,lle' eby ensranchising oil ,conen
of the age of twenty one years. without
regard to color. The third. restricting
the elective franchise to loyal persons.
The propris,y OF presenting these ques-
tions at this time. or the motives thai
sc,ustod the individual n.mbers OF the
Legislature 10 presenting them. are not
questions for discussion now. 1t il
enough that they are presented, and that
it is the duty of every voter in the State
to give them the consideration due to
grave propositions. affecting the funda
mental law of the State. and touching
the future honor and power of our young
Commonwealth.
The responsibility Of deciding for or
against each of these proposed amend
ments rests upon yon. The issus cannot
be averted nor evsded. II must he met.
Desiring for ourselves. and for the good
name OF Kansas. that it be met m manfnily.
intelligently and conscientionsly. the un-
dersigned citizens and voters. assemb bled
in Lawrence for the purpose of consult.
ing and organizing. feel constrained. by q
sense OF duty to ourselves and the State.
to addtess yon.
We believe the word "whits" shonli
be struck from the Constitution, and no
longer be allowed to stand ss an i'm
peachment of the intelligence and patriot
ism of q people who. by their resistance
to oppression. and their feerless conflicts
with political wrong. have won the con-
fidence and esteem of all mankind We
believe the colored man is entitled to the
ballot by every reason and confederation
upon which rests the enfrancbissment OF
white men. a.
We bslisve the word I'm ale" shonld
be stricken from the Constitution. be.
cause its presence there is in violation OF
the great principles that underlie all jns,
civil governments. because it is subserv
sive Of tha highest political and social
interests Of society. We believe its re-
moval will make onr State consistent
with itself. and in harmony with the &C.
Mus Of our system Of govsrnlhen,. which
clearly and cmphatically con,emplates
the vaics Of all the governed in the Laws
that govern It will eqnalizs the honors
and responsibilities Of ell that arc subject
to Legislation. AMI correct the evils sri,inp !
from q want Of more universal represent
alton at the ballot box. In abort. We be- |
lieve every valid resson for the enirsn-
chisement OF male citizens. applies with
equal forcs ami Justice to the enfrsuchiss-
msnt of female citixens. s
We are in favor Of disfranchising men |
who. by disloyslty and treason. sought
to destroy the government TO which ,hsy |
owed allegiance. believing that BY these
scts sll political rights sre justly forfeited.
and that they no longer have . right 10 .
voice in the Laws that are to govern loy.l
msn-st least during . probation snfi |
cieot to show . return to loyalty aud nm |
reserved allegiance. - sH
Believing this, We appeal to you. ask
ing careful consideration ami fearless
action upon the arguments that urgs Us
all to one and the same conclu-i ion-s
conclusion sustained by. the dictates Of
reason and consciencs. even with many
nominsliy opposed TO the suendmea,r,
very few of whom have the hsrdihood to
attempt . vindicsiioB. BY Argument. Of 90 !
anomalous posi.ioo - thst Of fres men
in the foil enjoyment Of . Rspsblicsn
government. aud ct the same time ssek
ing to deprive their fellow citissns Of
suci inslisuable rights ssd exalted pr,vil.
egss on the frivolous groosa sot sex or
color. .g as $50.
If any evidsaes. bsyosd . eonvietioo
Of right sad jssties. we're Dssdsd to sue.
tain "a: in The priseiplss hsssia avowsd. /
Or in the sscessisy ssd propsiety Of osr
appeal to yos. Il would b Jeasd in The
ebsssctss of shs oppesitios ssrsysd