INTELLIGENCER & LANCASTERIAN. GEO. SANDERSON, EDITOR A. SANDERSON, .I%.os9ciate. LANCASTER, PA., FEBRUARY 9, 1858. CIELCVLATION, 2000 oOPIESS 0011808tPT/ON PHU; $2,00 per annum. ' COUNTY COMMITTEE MEETING. The Democratic County Committee met, agreeably to the call of the Chairman, at SiMber's Hotel,. in this City, on Thursday the 4th inst. The following members were present: H. B. Swarr, City,. Chairman; N. E. Ward, Col. CynicCaruMny; Elisabeth, J. S. Keener; East Ilempfield, Dr. Samuel Parker ; Upper Leanock, Dr. A. S. Bare 4Man helm Borough, J. E. Cross ; Mapheim Township, Benjamin Eby; Manor, George G. Brush; Mount Joy Borough, J. H. Brenneman; Penn, Hiram R. Hull ; Strasburg Borough, W. T. McPhail; West Hemptield, John M. Weller; War wick, Dr. Levi Hull. On motion of W. T. hiceadl, John H. Brenneman was appointed Secretary. The following resolution was then offered by Dr. A. S. Bare, and unanimously adopted : • Heaved, That the Democracy be requested to assemble in the several Wards of the City, Boroughs and Townships of the County, OD SATURDAY, THE 211TH DAY OP FEBRUAEY, then and there to elect not leas than three nor more than Sue delegates to represent said Wards, Boroughs and Town ships in a County Convention, to be held at Fulton Hall. in the City of Lancaster, on WEDNESDAY, THE 24TH DAY OF PRDRUARY, for the purpose of electing Fix delegates to represent the Democracy of the County of Lancaster in the Annual State Convention to be held at Harrisburg, on Thursday the 4th day of March next On motion adjourned. H. B. SWARR, Chairman. Joan H. BEINNEMAN, Secretary. To the Democratic Freemen of the City and County of Lancaster. In accordance with the resolution of tho County Com mittee, adopted on Thursday last, you are requested to as semble in the several Wards of the City. and Roinaghs and Townships of the County on Saturday, the 20th day of February next, then and there to elect not lees than three nor more then five delegates to represent such District in n general County Convention to bo held on WEDNESDAY, the 24th day of FEBRUARY next, at 11 o'clock, A. M., at Fulton Hall, In the City of Lancaster, for the purpose of electing six delegates to represent the Democracy of the County of Lancaster in the annual State Convention, to beheld at Harrisburg, on Thursday the 4th day of March next. The several Ward,' Borough and Township Commit Ice, are requested to give body notice, In their respective Dis tricts, of the time and place of meeting, for the election of delegates. In accordance with the established usage of the party, the several Districts will each nominate one parson to serve on the County Committee fur the ensuing political year; and also nominate their Ward, Borough and Town ship Committees, and place their names on their respActirc credentials to the ensuing County Convention. By order of the County Committee. 11. B. %WARR, Chairman. Lancaster, February oth, ISIS. gig - We are indebted to President BUCHAN AN for a copy, under his own frank, of his speoial Message on Kansas affairs. THE MAYOR'S ELECTION The official returns of the Municipal Elec tion on Tuesday last, published in our local column, shows that Mr. BURROWES (the Citi zens' candidate for Mayor) is elected by a majority of twelve votes ! This, of course, is no test of the strength of parties in this city. There were various causes which operated to Biting about this result. The vote was a very small one—falling short of the Presiden tial vote of 1856, nearly one thousand, and 252 short of the Mayor's vote of 1857. Had there been even as many votes polled as were cast last year, Mayor ZIMMER3f AN would have been re-elected by over 200 majority. There were other local causes which operated in favor of Mr. BURROWES, not now necessary to enumer ate ; but neither of those causes had anything to do with National and State affairs, as was falsely telegraphed by a Black Republican lawyer, on the evening of the election, to Phil adelphia and New York. We do not suppose there was a solitary voter in tile city ever once thought of Lecompton or anti-Lecompton, in connection with his vote on that day ; nor do we know what are the opinions of either the defeated or successful candidate for Mayor on that question. The election was purely local in all its aspects, and no man here who has any regard for truth, would have the har dihood to assert anything else. The test vote may he considered that of High Constable. Mr. MYERS, the Democratic candidate, is elected by a majority of 318, and his majority would have been more than doubled on a full vote. Mayor ZIM MERMAN retires from office to-day with the respect and confidence of all his friends. His administration of the affairs of the city was honest and straight-forward, and he leaves its financial concerns in a much bet. ter condition than he found them two years ago. The Mayor elect, Mr. BURROWES, is a gen tleman of intelligence and ability, and we have no doubt will make an excellent officer. He will take the oath of office at 2 o'clock to-day, and we shall soon hove an opportunity of knowing what course of policy he intends to pursue. As a member of one branch of the Councils, it will be our pleasure to sustain him in any rightful ettrts lie may choose to make, looking to the welfare of the people and the peace and prosperity of the city. THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE We occupy a considerable space in our col ums with the admirable message of Mr. Bu- CFIANAN, on the subject of the admission of Kansas under the Lecompton Constitution.— Since the days of General JACKSON there has been no Executive message that is the equal of this one in importance to the whole country, in boldness of thought, statesmanlike investi gation, and incontrovertible reasoning. It is emphatically a great document, having the ring of the true metal in all its parts, and wor thy a place alongside the celebrated Procla mation of Old Hickory to the Nullifiers of South Carolina, in 1832. There may be a difference of opinion in the public mind, and it is even possible for Demo crats to have different views upon the all important and engrossing subject of the admission of Kansas under the Lecompton Constitution; but every intelligent man will -be willing to concede that the President, act ting under the solemn obligations of his oath, and in the spirit of an exalted patriotism, has boldly and fairly met the issue presented to him, and discharged his whole duty to the American people. Whether the venerable Chief Magistrate is to be sustained in this his noble effort to give peace to the Republic, is now the paramount question in every State of the Union—and especially is it the case in good old Pennsylvania. Should this great Commonwealth falter in her devotion to Mr. BUCHANAN, the statesman whom she has so unflinchingly sustained for more than a quar ter of a century, and who has never betrayed his trust, it would be cruel in the extreme.— His greatest anxiety is.the welfare and har mony—the glory and prosperity of his beloved country. Mr. BUCHANAN has appealed from the evil designs of factious men, who seek their own aggrandizement at the expense of the public weal, and has thrown himself upon the intelligence and patriotism of the honest masses of the people as his sure defence in this trying and perilous emergency. Surely they will not forsake him, for he has done nothing to weaken their devotion to him. On the contrary, he has met the issue forced upon him by the enemies of the Union, with Roman-like firmness, and he has now a right to claim that the great Democratic party of his own State:will at least sta❑d by him :and hold up his hands in these his well meant ef forts to settle one of the most difficult and dangerous questions that has ever been grap pled with in the 'history of our common coun try: We ask a careful, Unprejudiced and impar tial perusal of the message. It is a powerful and unanswerable document, in every respect worthy the head and heart of its distinguished author,- and should be read by every man, woman and child- throughout this vast Re public. SENATOR DOUGLAS ON !MINNESOTA. CITY AND COUNTY A FF AIRS We take the following speech from the Wash- . , ington. Globe of-Wednesday. It will be seen, THE CITY ELECTION.—The annual election for City and Ward Officent not place on Tuesday last.— from the italicised portions, that Mr. DOUGLAS Below will be found has somewhat changed his views from what THE oreiet4.l. VOTE OP THE CITY. they were at the opening of Congress. In his Tho. 11 3 . 1' B ' urro . wes, (cit.) Lw 3T9 N.E- `l9 v. 9 s ' . 1. "* 641 . F.R.R.1.30 Total- Thu made when the President's Annual Jno. Zimmerman, (dew.) 304 230 262 205 965 12 Message was read, he took the ground not only Majority for Mr. Burrowes, s.w.w. N.Z.W. S.E.W. B.w.w. Total. that an " enabling act" was necessary , in ~,t ar, , , r , arn b .; 371 272 z , 026 3131 order to the admission of Kansas into the John G. Martin, (cit.) 313 257 la 3 140 813 Union as a State, but also that a prior submis. sion of the Constitution to the people, for their Democrat. NORTH-WEST WARD—Med Onincit Citizen. 332 I Daniel Barman. 152 adoption or rejection, was an " essential prin- ,F. J. lirsmPh' Common Courica. ciple." His present position in reference to John. .iirge L. Boyle, 316 Rudolph F. Rauch, 311 George Yetsley, these points is clearly more in accordance with Barnes Broom, 309 John Dorwart. sr., John Ditlow. 319 Benjamin Kauffman, the spirit of the Constitut ion and the doctrine William F. Miller, 32:, , Jeremiah B.mman. of popular sovereignty, than the position he . JacobGunrlaker, aii ' i' 315Geo 61' rie Hnffnagle, occupied in his first speech on the subject. Daniel Trewito, (Independent candidate.! Assessor. We invite attentioa,to his remarks : Jacob Foltz, 120 I James Wiley, Assessors. Mr. DOUGLAS. The Senator from Mississippi i irr ig62 32.'SUpdlieb Sevier, John Nixdorf, [Mr. Brown] seems to be under the impression Hiram Young, 32e !Samuel Killian, that I am going to apply one rule to Minneso- Mahlon H. Merc ' er, 3 . : 1 :6 Ilrederiek A. Albright. to and another to Kansas. I desire to relieve Inspector. him from any apprehension of that kind so far Wil:/.. A. Le..." , 31, I John F. Huber, as lam concerned. He is entirely mistaken, NORTH-EAST WARD—Greet thuncit in assuming that I regard an enabling act, as' John S Dougherty, 242 I Joshua W. Jock, (lbmmon s:snail. it is called, as essential. I have in explanatien J. J. Sprenger, 231 R William G. Kendrick, of that point said, in reply to the Senator from Benjamin Llchty, 232 David Fellenbaum, Missouri,[Mr. Green, ] ' the Senator from Jacob (.3,r!esl:., W entz, 232 Anthony Leclaler, Penhsylvania, [Mr. Bigler ] and several other Huber, 259 J. B.,Swartzwelder, - Alderman. Senators, that I deemed the want of an ena- James C. Carpenter, 235 I William B. Wiley, bling act an irregularity which might be William o,s, City Mmstuhle lag I Philip S. Baker, waived or not according as the proceedings Assessor. were fair and just, or nut. Ido not regard an Garret Everts, 245 I George B. Mowry, Assistant Assessors. enabling net as at all essential; because if j„„„ sower,, 246 George P: King, there is no enabling act, and if Congress, there- John Waidler, 243- John Sherte, fore, has not given its assent to the formation.... . .. Judge. Francis Gillespie. 239 I E a t en Franklin, of ft Constitution, yet it the people proceed and .frop,..ct,. make a Constitution, and when it comes here we Strickler Everts. 236 I Robert A. Evans, believe it embodies the will of the people fair -Sacra WEST wens—select Council. iy expressed, that they have the requisite pop- Junius D. Kaufman. 205 I William P. Brooks, ulation, that the boundaries are fair and pro- (immon councit. Geo. Sanderson. 219 William Whiteside. per, we may waive the omission of an.enabling Philip Fitzpatrick, 169 Gideon Arnold, act and receive them into the Union. I have , Geo. M. Steinman, 224 John H. Bentley, Althr voted several times since I have been a mem- Charles F. Vol‘t. 212 man. Inane Peter G. El,rnian. her of the (Sr' b o sses of Congress for the oily conttobte, admission of State; under such circumstances, tin Kuhns. 202 I JACOI, Haag, Assessor. and hence I No not regard an enablin. ,-- at ,1 - c 8 George Ilitzelberger, _ll CarpenterMcCleary ;it all essential. It may he waived. The Assistant Assessors. essential pli oint is that the Constitution mu-t Charles Gibbs, ie,sl Moyer, 200 I Samuel Corrneny. 215 I Henry Oast, be the act of the people, embodying their will. Judge. I hare not regarded submission to Ike pcuple Samuel Huber, 221 I William Wright. In.pectnr. as an essential principle. It is a fair way ef. Henry I'. Cars.m. 190 I George K. Reed, ascertaining the popular will, when that will is disputed. It is a means of ascertain in ', an end ; but if there is nu dispute that the Con stitution presented is the will of the people, it is no more essential to have a vote of submis sion, than it is in thin body on the passage of a bill that the yeas and nays shall be recorded each time. If you put the question, and one Senator says " ay," and nobody says " no," you declare it carried ; the will of the body on the puititiis not questioned ; but if I rise in my place, or any other Senator does, and de mands a count, or a sufficient number demand the yeas and nays, they are taken, in order to ascertain the essential point, whether it is the will of the body that the act in question shall become a law. So with regard to the question in Kansas and Minnesota. Satisfy me that the Constitution adopted by tile people of Min nesota is their will, and I am prepared to take it. Satisfy me that the Constitution adopted, or said to be adopted, by the people of Kansas, is their will, and lam prepared to take it. I will not apply one rule to Minnesota and another to Kansas. I will never apply one rule to a free State and another to a slavehold ing State. I hold each of the States equal in tins Confederacy, and apply the same rule to one as to the other. 1 have deemed this ,explanation necessary, in order to correct the erroneous impression into which the Senator from Mississippi had fallen. It is an explanation which I have in substance, had occasion to make en to two of three previous occasions. Now, sir, in regard to the admission of Min nesota, I apprehend that there are no such irregularities as enter into the essence of the question. I shall be prepared to show, beyond all doubt, when the question comes up, that die Constitution here presented is the act of the people of Minnesota; that it embodies their will ; that the enabling act has been substan tially complied with ; that the boundaries are those prescribed by Congress in the enabling act ; that the population is more than sufficient for one Representative in Congress ; and that there are none of the conditions omitted upon which she was to be admitted into the Union. 1 am prepared, therefore, to vote fiir the admis sion of Minnesota on her own state of facts, and then I will deal with Kansas on her own state of facts, without reference to Minnesota. As I stated before, show me a Constitution from Kansas that is the act of her people, embodying their will and you will not find me voting against it, either because of the absence of an enabling act, or because of the absence of a formal vote of submission, or because it is a slaveholding State, or for any cause—she having the proper boundaries and the requis ite population: If I know myself, it is my fixed purpose to deal with each of these questions separately. each upon its own state of fact and upon its own merits. When Oregon conies—and I understand that the Constitution is here—l shall take up her case, and deal on the sam e principles with her, without inquiring wheth er her Senators will vote this way or that way on the army bill, this way or that way nn the Pacific railroad bill, this way or that way on Kansas ; without inquiring whether they are Republicans or Democrats, and without in quiring whether her Constitution recognises, tolerates, or prohibits slavery. If sire comes. she will come without an enabling act; vet, if her Constitution is the act of her people, the embodiment of their will, and the evidence is satisfactory on that point, she having the requisite population and the properboundaries , slit will receive my vote fen. admission. If there is any insuperable objection on either of those points, she will not receive it: but I will not prejudge it until the facts are before us. A PROTEtACTED SESSION We have seen nothing in the Congressional or Legislative reports, during - the past week, particularly worthy of note. They had the Kansas question 4,1 p in both branches of Con gress, and on Friday the session of the House of Representatives lasted not only through the day, but all night, and until about 7 o'clock on Saturday morning, on a question of refer erence. Ahout rid o'clock Mr. Quitman, of Miss., submitted a resolution that the House adjourn over till Monday, (yesterday) when the vote shall lie taken without further delay, debate or dilatory motions, on Mr. Harris' resolution to refer to a select Committee the President's Special Message. This resolution was agreed to unanimously, and the House adjourned till Monday. About 2 o'clock in the morning, a fight occurred in the House between Mr. Keitt, of S. Carolina, and Mr. Grow, of Pa. Blows were exchanged, and the latter knocked th:' former down, when the combatants were sep arated. The Senate was not session on Friday and Saturday fie" The Convention of the consolidated city of Philadelphia met last week and elected delegates to the State Convention favorable to the nomination or Hon. WILLIAM A. PORTER. for the Supreme Court. The contest was be tween his friends and those of Judge SOARS• The Convention also passed strong resolu tions endorsing the National Administration, and approving of Mr. BUCHANAN'S policy in reference to Kansas affairs. RESUMPTION The Banks of Philadelphia are now paying out specie for their notes. The Banks of Baltimore, Georgetown,'Washington City and Pitssburg have also resumed. So also hav• the Bank of Chester County, Bank of Danville and other country Banks, and a general re sumption may be expected before the first of April. APPOINTMENT BY THE GOVERNOR EDWIN C. WILSON, Esq., of Venango County, to be Adjutant General of Pennsylvania, in place of Thomas J. Power, Esq., resigned. SLAVE REVOLT.—We have, by telegraph, a rumor of a fearful slave revolt having broken out near Fayetteville, Arkansas, incited by two white men, in which the negroes attacked two settlements, killing twenty-three persons, burning the houses and killing the cattle. It was finally subdued by a volunteer organiza tion. Seven of the negroes were killed and eighteen captured. Majority for Mr. Myers, SOCTII-EI,T WARD—Srlect rbtrnri/. Junius B. Kaufman. 21.r1 I William P. Brooks, cnnllnon Council. 222 Conrad Silvina, 221 George F. Rote. 225 Samuel Iknedict. Cdy Con:table. 216 I Albert A. 31ensenIt0p. Assessor. 504 I Benjamin F. Cox, Assistant Avessors. Henry Ilermer. 225 Christian F. Lame. I Beruard Fitzpatrick. 209 ,Tacub Barthel, numpf. 3lichael Mellouiglo Deirlder. William M. Gormly Eugene Harkins Juttqe. '224 INVillinan A. Atlee, Inspector. Jobe IfenHler, il7 I Jacob Weitzel, ORGANIZATION OF' THE NEW COUNCILS G!:ENIII new C linens met for the purposes of organization in Chambers. City Hall, on Friday morning last. The pro. eeedings, as furnished by the Reporters, are inserted below: SELECT COUNCIL—The Select Council was called to order at o'clock, a. m.. by James C. Carpenter, Esq., Clerk of the last Council. On motion, Mr. Leman was chosen President pro tem. The roll was called and the following gentlemen answered to their names:—Messrs. James 11. Bartle, Dr. Henry Car penter. Daniel Harman, Joshua W. Jnek..lunius D. Kauf man. Henry E. Leman. Godfried Zahm mid Christian Zeehor-8. . Absent—Mr. David G. Eskilmnan. Messrs. Carpenter and Zoeller were appointed a corned t ten to procure the election returns. Messrs. Borneo and Zahm were appointed a committee to watt upon the Mayor and request his attendance to admin ister the Oath of office to the new members. The election returns being presented. nevi and approved. the newlyrelected memlims, Messrs. Harman, Jack and Kaufman, ware sworn in by Mayor Zimmerman. and sub. scribed to their oaths. The Council then, on motion, proceeded to the election of a President, when. on motion of Messrs. Carpenter aod Lecher, David G. Eshleman, Esq.. was unanimously re elected. The election of Clerk was next in order. On motion of Mr. Zahm. James C. Carpenter, Esq., asks unanimously re elected. Mr. C. briefly returned his thanks. Messrs. Carpenter and .la,•k wele tort a committee to inform Common Council that !elect Coined one orga nixed and ready to reeeice trio communication from that The several resolutions to appoint the standing commit tees being brought up. Dr. Henry Carpenter. supported by Mr. Jack, objected to the wording of the resolution referring to the Finn.° Committee, upon the ground that it gave ton absolut.- a control to that committee over the actions of the other regularly appointed committees, and occasioned unnecessary delay in the payment of workmen employed by the city, as well as creating great annoyance to the several members of the other committees be being dunned fir payment by the claimants pending the action of the Finance Committee. After considerable discussion, a con, mitt, of tarot Messrs. Carpenter and Zahm) were appointed to confer with a similar committee from Common Council upon the sut ject. and report at a future meeting. The usual resolutions appointing the standing commit toss were then adopted: also a resolution deferring until Tuesday their announcement. A committee of one (Mr. Harman) was also appointed, connection with one from Common Council, to wait upon the Mayor elect, lion. Thomas 11. Burrower, and inform him that Tuesday, at 2 o'clock, p. m., is the time fiord up on fur his inauguration. Os motion of Mr. Zahn, the election of Report, for Se lect Council was dispensed with. A resolution was adopted, imposing a fine of 25 colts on members absent twenty min LOOS after the usual hound the stated meetings. The Clerk of Common Council was introduced, and on nonticed the concurrence by that body of the resolutions for the appointment of the standing committees, and de ferring their announcement, and :dap for the appointment of a committee to wait upon the Mayor elect. Adjourned to meet on Tuesday, at 2 o'clock, p. no COMMON COUNCIL—The new Council met in their chamber this morning at In o'clock. 3lr. Alfred Sanderson, the Clerk of the last Council, called the body to order. lto mutton, George Sanderson, Esq., woe called to the chair as temporary President, when he returned his thanks for the honor conferred. The roll was then called, and the members answered to their nanieß, as follows :—Messrs. Jeremiah BRUM., John Dorwart. or.. Philip Deichler. David Fellenbaum. Philip Fitzpatrick, William Gumpf. Dr. Ft nj. Kaufman, William G. Kendrick. Anthony Lechler. Michael McGonigle, Ru dolph F. Rauch. George Sanderson, George M. 'Steinman, .1. B. Swartzwelder, George Yeisley-13. Oa motion, a committee of two was appointed to procure the returns of the late city election. The President sr. pcinted Messrs. Kendrick and Steinman said committee. After on absence of nearly an hour the committee re turMid and staled that they could find no election returns, except those of the N. E. Ward, the election nfticers of the other Wards having failed to make out duplicate copies: the copies being deposited with the Prothonotary of the County. who refused to give them up. Mr. Steinman rend an extract from the City Charter reg ulating the organization of Ccmncils. and suggested that Council take a recess until 2 o'clock, and direct the High Constable of the City to have the returns here at that time. After some further remarks, by Mr. Kendrick and others. the committee again retired. Purina their absence, Pr. Carpenter. of F. , ..ileet Council, entered and stated that the returns had been received. and were being read in Select Connoil. The returns were then received from Seleet Clalll,il. They were read and approved. Messrs. lianelmand Lechler were appointed a CORlMittre to wait upon the Mayor anti request hie attendance to qualify the members. The committee soon returned with Mayor Zimmerman. who administered the oath it office to the members. and the members then emote forward to the Clerk's desk and subscribed their Ironies to the test. . . The President stated that the next business in order would the election of a President, Mr. Fellenbaum nomi nated Mr. Kendrick: Mr. Gumpf nominated Mr. Steinman. The Council proeceded to ballot. On the first ballot Mr. Kendrick had ll vote,. and Mr. Steinman had 6 votes. 31r. Kendrieh was declared elected. On taking the chair, Mr. Kendrick returned his sincere thanks for the honor conferred on him, and trusted that he would be able to discharge the duties of him office to the satisfaction of the Council. . _ The President then announced the election of Clerk on next in order. , . Mr. 31,Gonigle nominated Alfred Sanderson : Mr. Swart,- Welder mutionted Joseph Samson; Mr. Rauch nominated Amaziah C. Barr. Council proresded totallot. ,m the first ballot Sanderson 10111 7 votes; Samson had 3 votes: Barr had 5 votes. There Ming no tholee. Council proceeded to SECOND BALL , r—SAncierson had S. votes: Samson had 4 votes: Barr had 3 voles. Mr. Sanderson was declared duly elected. An election for Reporter was then had. Messrs. John M. J,lmston and .1. M. Willis Grist were nominated. On the first ballot. Mr. Johnston had 12 votes, and Mr. Geist had 3 votes. Mr. Johnston, having a majority of all the votes, was declared elected. Messrs. Sanderson and Steinman were appointed a ram• mittee to inform Select Council that Common Council was organized and ready to proceed to business. The Clerk of Select Council was introduced and presented the following resolutions which had been adopted In that body. Common Council concurred: For the appointment of a Street Committee. For the appointment of a Water Committee. For the appointment of a Market Committee. For the appointment of a Lamp Committee. For the appointment of a Committee on the Buchanan fief ief Donation. For the appointment of a Committee on Fire Enginea and hose. For the appointment of a Police Committee. For the appointment of n Committee on City Property For deferring the announcement of Standing Committees. For the appointment of a committee to wait upon the Mayor elect. Mr. Sanderson was appointed on the part of Common Council. Rtsolution relative to intercourse between the Councils. For the meeting of a Convention for the election of City Officers. A resolution providing for the appointment of a joint committee, relative to the duties of Finance Committee, NVILS received from Select Council, and their action concurred in. Messrs. Rauch and, Steinman Were appointed on the part of Common Council. Adjourned to meet on Tuesday, at 2 o'clock, p. m. THE TABLES TURNED AGAIN.—The Junior returns his sincere thanks to his friend "W" for the kind notice of him, in the Express of Wednesday evening last. He is happy to inform "W" that he [the Junior] has not been "relieved from the onerous duties of Clerk of Common Council," and, consequently, will not have time to contest the election of Tuesday last. Besides, ho thinks, sorb attempts don't pay. For no Instance, his friend "W" is referred to the late contested election for Prothonotary. RESIGNED.—At a meeting of the City School Board, held on Thursday evening last, Hon. THOMAS H. Bututowss, the Mayor elect, resigned the Presidency. No successor was elected. At the same meeting the Monthly Statement of the able and efficient City Superintendent of Schools, Mr. A 3105 RowE, was received and read. We are glad to learn from it that the School Department is i n a highly flourishing condition. RESIGNED.—Mr. W. SEEGER DARROW has resigned his position in the Prothonotary's Office to accept the Chief Clerkship of the Reading Post Office. We are sorry to part with so clever a fellow. The Postmaster has secured a most competent clerk, and the Democracy or Reading a zealous and hearty co-laborer in the good old cause. Mr. GER..ARMS CLARKSON, the courteona and efficient deputy under Mr: Bowsuct, and at present occupying a temporary position in the office, has been appointed Mr. Diazow's succossor. OUR • CITY BANKS.—The statement of the Farm."' Bank for February 2, au compared with the state mont.ot the sth of January, shows the following result Jar,. 5. Fob. 2. $7Og.M. $7 09 . 595 78.660 52.644 Discounts. Due from hank Gold and silv-r, 72,178 Circulation. 334.210 Due to banks. 22 710 Glposits. pia 766 Surpina fund. 19,691 The Bank paid the State deposite in specie. (for the pur pose of meeting the Febranry interest„) other's!, the gold and silver on hand would have exceeded $lOO.OOO. The increase of specie within the month is over $lO 000, and the circulation shows a reduction of sl.l.ooo—whilst the debts owing to other Banks has dwindled down to a little over $9.000. It le also proper to state that the Farmers' Bank has, for some time past been discounting a little every week In order to relieve. as Cu - ns It can, the business community. This fact is pectin's not generally known, but it is credit able to the management of the Institution. and accounts for the comparatively small reduction In its circulation during the month. The same healthy state of things exist in the Lancaster County Bank, one of the best managed monied institutions in the state. Indeed. both the Banks of this City are now relatively stronger—that is , their cash assets hear a larger proportion to their cash liabilltles—than probably ever before. This fact shows them abundantly able to resume and maintain specie payments, and we hope noon to hare the pleasure of announcing that such Is the fact. KEEPER OF THE PRISON.—Mr. JAY CADWELL has been elected Keeper of the Prison in place of Mr. Ilaana C. Loosen. . THE MAYOR'S INAUGURATION.—Hon. Taos. If Btrfutowes, the Mayor elect, will be inaugurated at 2 o'clock, p. m., to.day. In the Common Council Chamber, City Hall. After the inauguration. Councils will proceed to an election to Ell the various City offices. DEATH WARRANTS.—The death warrants of Anderson and Richards, convicted of the murder of Mrs. Garber and Mrs. Ream, have been forwarded by the Gov ernor to the Sheriff of this County. and were received by that officer un yesterday tnnrninc They are to he executed on 'Friday the nth of April. THE RED MEN'S BALL—The Fourth Grand Fancy and Citizens' Drees Ball of Eershah-ko.nee Tribe, No . T 2, I. 0. E. M., will take piers at Fulton Hall on Friday evening next. Keifer's frill Cotillion Band has been en• gaged to fun nkh , lie 11111di, Ii Will. doubtless, he Ma hall of the season. ELECTI. , s.—The annual meeting of the Lot Holders of Woodward 11111 Cemetery was held at Fulton Hall on the Ist last. The following ofß2ers were elected for the ensuing year : P reside ut —Godfried Zah m. Sccrelary—Joseph Brimmer. Treasurer—Charles A. 11,1 nitsh . Tr teas—C. F. Laiso, John Elder, William,Carpenter, John F. Long. Jacob Buehler. 11. J. Stoigerwalt, S. A. Dan ner, C. Widmyer, F. W. Beates. Dr. P. Cassidy, 11. Fisher, Dr. 11. Carpenter. C. Hager, 11. Steigerwalt, William P. Brooks, Philip Deichler, Dr. E. Nluhlenberg, John W. hintdey, Frederick SHner, P Stormfel tz. M. Zahm, Joseph ren fried. TURNPIKE MEETING.—At a meeting of the citizen; of Drumore. Eden and adjoining townships, held at the public bruise of Edwin Garrett, at Spring Grove, agreeably to previous notice, to take into consideration the subject of making a turnpike from Quarryville to the Uni corn, George Morrison, Esq.. was called to the chair, and George %V. Hensel chosen Secretary. The object of the meeting having been stated by the President, he was fol lowed by Messrs. Cornelius and Thomas C. Collins, fn brief and pertinent speeches, urging the necessity of constructing a Turnpike between the places named. On motion. the chair appointed a committee of five per sons, consisting of Messrs. Cornelius Collins, George W. Hensel, Richard C. Edwards. C. Martin Hess and Joel Smedley, whose duty it shall be to collect the petitions now in circulation for signatur,.. and take the necessary meas- ures to procure a charter fur a company, under the name and title of the -Quarryville and Unicorn Turnpike Road Company, - and to report at an adjourned meeting to he ht-ld, at the same place, on Wednesday the 10th inst. The f diosving resolutinn seas adopted /, , ,,lerd. That the proceedings of this meeting be pub lished in the papers of the City of Lancitster. COLUMBIA A FFA glean the from Saturdays Spy: A ariI:ME:FT OF TUE FLOOD.—On the night orTuesday.26th ult.. side door information was conveyed to Justice Welsh by certain Indies of a jubilee in which their lords, two gal lons of corn" and one Mrs. Flood were under process of being pretty effectually mixed up ,at the residence of the latter, back of Front street, above Walnut. The Justice immediately made requisition on the Chief of the Police for a sufficient force and with High Constable Derrick. Gporge Derrick and William McDevitt, proceeded to surround the proull,s. The first rapt sir' Wile a brace of strangers, very ivnxievs to lease. but. prevailed upon to tarry for further examination. On entering the house the dead (drunk) body of Mo.. Walters was discovered lying in the middle of the Hoer. and immediately secured with a pin. The magistrate pushed his investigations vigorously through the house, up stairs and down, but although he found plen ty. of fresh .• sign. - the game hod evidently eluded the hunters. The High Constable was more fortunate. He succeed in overcoming and capturing Mother Flood, in the back yard, atter a short. sharp struggle in which he had need of all his indomitable pluck. 'lle cannot in future be celled •• Antediluvian, by IlllllioUS aspirants to succession to his afire. for he proved himself, in this instance, after the Flood with a very sharp stick. The clamorous resis tance made by the gentle dame brought the deputies to the rescue, end afforded on opportunity fora promenade on the part of the unknown prisoners, which was not overlooked on their part. The remaining spoil, Madame F. and Moses, had a hearing before the Justh-e who sent the lady down for thirty days, and mulcted her friend in the MD of five dollars and costs. Both were provided with borough lodg ings for the night. ARREer..:—On Wednesday, Pith ult., ,Inhn Decker, alias Casper was arrested in Wrightsville, on a warrant ISSUOd by Thus. Welsh. Esq., on affirmation of Benjamin Landis, of Manor Township, charging defendant with break ing Into the dwelling of Mrs. Barbara Shupp. near Mann's Tavern. . . In the absence of Mrs. Shupp and her daughter at a funeral, the house was entered and robbed of three dol lars in gold, a coat, and several dresses. Two men were met by a neighbor, who discovered the house open, a short dis tance front the place, and the alarm was given. Mr. Lan dis followed the men to Tow hill, where they separated, Decker pasting through town and crossing the bridge.— The prisoner acknowledged having been in company with the man Who had broken into Mrs. Shupp's house, but denied any participation in the art. lie was committed to 11.Wer. THREATENING TO SllooT.—Albert Suorbeer, milk-merchant, of West Ilempliold township, aged IS years, was arraigned before Justice Welsh. charged with drawing a revolver, and threatening to shoot John Stevens, a small boy resid ing at the rorner of Third and Mill streets. Ile was held to bail in Vino for his appearance at the April Sessions, and for his good behavior in the interim. •• WItoN GoD LEATH JOINED Took:TILER, LET NOT Max POT A suNnEn."—On Monday, the lat inst., complaint scan en tered before Justice Welsh by a modest young woman against the man who four short weeks before had taken her for better or for worse, ••to love and to cherish,'' Aust. Hildebrand, charging him with unnatural and abusive treatment. and avowing the impossibility of longer living at, to her solemn promise. to "love, honor and obey:' A warrant for the arrest of the " horrid wretch." was served by Constable Hollingsworth, who arranged with the par ties for an examination hetore the Justice, on the same evening. They failed to appear, but the next morning the father of the lady announced an amicable adjustment of the difficulty, on the grounds of promised future good ronduct on the part of the 'recreant knight. " Better to trust and be deceived. &c." The parties are Germans, and it is a safe bet that lager was au element in the dispute DEPREDATOR:3 AP.RESTED.—On the same day, James Hel ium, George Washington and Solomon Mitchell, of Tow Hill, were arrested by Constable Hollingsworth, and brought before Esquire Welsh. charged with having stolen meat from the smoke house of Samuel Shatz., of Wash ington Borough, on the night of the 23d ult. It appears that the neighborhood has suffered severely during the winter from similar collections for the relief of the "suf fering and deserving poor of our borough," and, in con sequence. it-watch ,-f armed citizens seas organized and stationed on the turnpike below Columbia. on the above night two Limn loaded with plunder were discovered rom• ins from the direction of Washington. and were ordered to stop, but paid no attention to the hail. Ono of the watch fired, when the spoil was dropped, the thieves mak.. ing excellent lime towards town. On examination two bags were found, One containing two hams. and the other five chickens. The ownership of the bags was traced to James Helium and Philip Ramsey, of Tow Hill. Warrants were issued for Helium, Mitchell and George Washington —the latter is the interesting penitent reeeutly pardoned by Governor Pollock, from the penitentiary, where be was serving his time for robbing the house of J. W. Hamilton. Mitchell acknowledged his participation in the foraging expedition, stated that he had dropped the bag 'containing the hams. Ilerlainied that ° the country owed him a liv ing and he was bound to have it." The Justice argued that in the present hour of suspension, when, at best, debts are only paid in currency, pork and fowl come too near specie payment to be peremptorily insisted on, and sent the clamor. us and stony-hearted creditor with is colleague down to eat out a portion of his claim in the most whole some and safe curreocy provided by the county. The next Quarter Sessions Will most probably further acknowledge the claims of these colored gentlemen to a living. No evidence implicating Ramsey and Dellum appearing they were pronounced spotless. CnAIUiED WITH STEALING.—John Goodwin was arrested in Philadelphia, by Sergeant Fisher of the I'olice sores, ou warrat issued by Justice Welsh, on complaint of Samuel Sloan, who charged him with robbing his trunk of eighty fire dollars in gold and silver. Goodwin was brought to Columbia and had a hearing be fore the Justice. Both comptainat and defendant, are em ployees of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and board with Mr. John Swartz, of this borough, occupying the same room on alternate nights. Sloan swore to the money hav ing been in his trunk on Thursday night. Goodwin lodged in the room on Friday night, and on Saturday night. when Sloan returned, the money was missing. Goodwin seas out of funds previous to Saturday, after which he was flush.— An attempt was made identity a $2O piece, by the date, which failed. There being no evidence to convict, 11. M. North. Esq., attorney for prisoner, asked his discharge which was granted by the magistrate. County for costs. TROUBLESOME COUGHS AND COLDS.—PerSODS who have been long afflicted with Coughs and Colds without being beaefitted by the use of medicine, we would, by way of salutary advice, say go to Ileinitsh's, 13 East King at., and buy a bottle of Dr. Ke'yeer's Pectoral Syrup, a medl ciue of great celebrity and vastly superior to the various nostrums that flood the country. It ie put in bottles at 50 cents and $l. BRIGHAM Youxo.—The Oxford (Me.) Dem ocrat says that Brigham Yonug has relatives in Oxford county, and once resided there him self with his father. He is described as having been in his younger days a religious enthusi ast, with a peculiar gift in talking at religious meetitgs. He would travel considerable dis tances to attend these gatherings, making no provision fur his family, and leaving the whole care and support of his children at such times with his wife. He afterwards fell in with some Mormon elders and embraced the faith, ,and in a short time his enthusiasm and ambition placed him at the head of the " church" and made him ruler of the colony at Salt Lake. EXAMINER OF THE MINT.—The Saturday Evening Express says that the President has appointed Dr. JOHN L. ATLEE, sr., of this City,- one of the Examiners of the Mint at Philadel phia. BIESSAGE OF PRESIDENT BUCHANAN authority of the government authorized by SUBMITTING THE LECOMPTON CON- Congress, from which it emanated. STITUTION. Such tieing the unfortunate condition of The following Message was submitted to affairs in the Territory, what was the right, as both Houses of Congress, tut Tuesday last: • wall as duty, of the law-abiding people? Were I have received from Gen. Calhoun, the ! they silently arid patiently-to submit to the Prestlent of the late Constitutional Conven- Topeka usurpation, or adopt the necessary tion of Kansas, a copy, duly certified by him- measures to establish a Constitution under the self, of the Constitution framed by that body, organic law of Congress? That this lea with the expression of a hope that I would recognized -- the right- of the people of the submit. the same to the consideration of Con- ! Territory, without any enabling act from Con gress, with the view of securing the admission press. to form a State Constitution, is too clear ii Kansas into the Union as an independent for argument. For Congress "to leave the State. In compliance with this request, I people of the Territory •perfectly free," in herewith submit to Congress, fur its action, framing their Constitution, "to form and the Constitution of Kansas, with the ordi- regulate their domestic institutions in their nonce respecting the public lands, as well as own way,subject only to the Constitution of the the letter of Gen. Calhoun, dated Lecompton, United States," and then to say that they shall on the 14th ult., by which they were accom- not be permitted to proceed and frame a Con- ponied. Having received but a single copy stitution in their own way, without an express of the Constitution and Ordinance, I send this I authority from Congress, appears to be almost to the Senate. a contradiction in terms. It would be much A great delOsion seems to pervade the pub- more plausible to contend that Congress had lie mind in relation to the condition of parties , no power to pass such an enabling act, than in Kansas. This arises from the difficulty of Ito argue that the people of a Territory inducing the American people to realize the , might be kept out of the Union fur an indefi fact that any portion of them should be in a I nite period, and until it might please Congress state of rebellion against the Government ; to permit them to exercise the right of self under which they live. When we speak of the I government. This would be to adopt, not affairs of Kansas, we are apt to refer merely their own way," hut the way which Congress to the existence of two violent political parties might prescribe. in that Territory, divided on the question of ! It is impossible that any people could have slavery, just as we speak of such parties in proceeded with more regularity in the forma the States. This presents no adequate idea of tion of a Constitution than the people of the true state of the case. The dividing line Kansas have done. It was necessary first, to there is nut between two political parties, ascertain whether it was the desire of the peo . both acknowledging the lawful existence of ple to he relieved from their Territorial depen the Government, hut between those who are dence, and establish a State Government. For loyal to this Government and those who have this purpose, the Territorial Legislature in endeavored to destroy its existence by force 1855, passed a law " for taking the sense 01 and by usurpation—between those who sustain the people of this Territory, upon the expedd and those who have dine all in their power to envy of calling a Convention to form a State overthrow the territorial government estab Constitution," at the general election to be lished by Congress. This Government they held in October, 1856. The " sense of the would long since have subverted, had it not people" was :tecordingly taken, and they been protected from their assaults by the decided in favor of a Convention. It is true troops of the United States. Such has been that at this election, the enemies of the the condition of affairs since my inauguration. Territorial Government did not vote, because Ever since that period a large portion of the they were then engaged at Topeka, without people of Kansas have been in a state of re I the slightest pretext of lawful authority, in hellion against the Government, with a mili framing a emstitution of their own, f , r. the tau leader at their head ~ f the most turbulent purpose ,if subverting the Terri toriii t. vern and dangerous character. They have never ment. acknowledged, hot have constantly renounced - and defied the Government to which they owe allegiance. and have been all the time in a state of resistance against its authority.— They have all the time been endeavoring to subvert it, and establish a revolutionary Government under the so called Topeka Con stitution in its stead. Even at this very moment, the Topeka Legislature is in session. Whoever has read the correspondence of Gov ernor Walker with the State Department, recently communicated to the Senate, will be convinced that this picture is not overdrawn. He always protested against the withdrawal of any portion of the military force of the United States from the Territory, deeming its presence absolutely necessary fur the preser vation of the regular government and the exe cution of the laws. In his very first despatch to the Secretary of State, dated June 2d, 1857, he says : 57,480 371.305 9.214 109 -• 22,9.1 " The most alarming movement, however, proceeds from the assembling on the 9th of June of the so-celled Topeka Legislature,-with a view to the enactment of an entire code of laws. Of course, it will be my endeavor to prevent such a result, as it would lead to inevi table and disastrous collision, and, in fact, re new the civil war in Kansas." This was with difficulty prevented by the efforts of Governor Walker, but soon thereaf ter, on the 14th of July, we find him requesting General Harney to furnish him a regi ment of dragoons to proceed to the City of Lawrence; and this for the reason that he had received authentic intelligence, verified by his own actual observation, that a dangerous rebellion had occurred, " involving an open defiance of the laws, and the establishment of an insurgent government in that city." In the Governor's despatch of July 15th, be in forms the Secretary of State " tifat the move went at Lawrence was the beginning of a plan, originating in that city, to organize insurrection throughout the Territory, and especially in all towns, cities or counties, where the Republican party have a majority. Lawrence is the hot bed of all the abolition movements in this Territory. It is the town established by the Abolition Societies of the East; and whilst there are respectable people there, it is filled by a considerable number of mercenaries who are paid by Abolition Societies to perpetuate and diffuse agitation throughout Kansas, and prevent a peaceful settlement of this question. , Having failed in inducing their own . ' so-called Topeka State Legislature to organize this insurrection, Lawrence has commenced it herself', and if not arrested, the rebellion will extend throughout the Territory." And again : " In order to send this cenimu nication immediately by mail, 1 must elese by assuring you that the spirit of rebellion per vades the great mass of the Republican party of this Territory, instigated, as I entertain no doubt they are, by Eastern Societies, having in view results most disastrous to the Govern ment and to the Union ; and that the continued presence of General Harney here is indispen sable, as originally stipulated by me, with a large body of dragoons and several batteries." On the 20th of July, 1857, General Lane, under the authority of the Topeka Convention, undertook, as Governor Walker informs us, "to organize the whole 5..) called Free State party into volunteersand to take the names of all who refuse enrolment. The professed object was to protect the polls at the election in August, of the new insurgent Topeka State Legisla ture. The object of taking the names of all who refuse enrolment is to terrify the Free State conservatives into submission.— This is proved by the recent atrocities cons mitred on such men by Topekaites. The speedy location of large bodies of regular troops here, with two batteries, is necessary. The Lawrence insurgents await the development of this new revolutionary military organiza tion," be., &r. In the Governor's despatch of July 27th, he says : " General Lane and his staff every where deny the authority of the Territorial laws, and crainsel a total disregard of these enactments." Without making further quo tations of a similar character, from other de spatches of 'Governor Walker, it appears by reference to Mr. Stanton's communication to General Case, of the 9th of Decem ber last, that " the important step of calling the Legislature 'together was taken after I [he] had become satisfied that the election ordered by the Convention on the 21st inst., could not be conducted without collision and bloodshed." So intense was the disloyal feeling among the enemies of the Government established by Congress, that an election which afforded them an opportunity, if in the majority, of making Kansas a Free State, according to their own professed desire, could not be conducted without collision and bloodshed. The truth is, that up till the pres ent moment, the enemies of the existing Government still adhere to their Topeka Revo lutionary Constitution and Government. The very first paragraph of the message of Cover -nor Robinson, dated the 7th of December, to the Topeka Legislature, now assembled at Lawrence, contains an open defiance of the Constitution and laws of the United States.— The Governor says: "The Convention which framed the Constitution at Topeka originated with the people of Kansas Territory. They have adopted and ratified the same twice by a direct vote, and also indirectly through two elections of State officers and members of the State Legislature, yet it has pleased the Ad ministration to regard the whole proceedings revolutionary." This Topeka government, adhered to with such treasonable pertinacity, is a government in direct opposition to the'i, existing government prescribed and recog nized by Congress. It is a usurpation of the same character as it would be for a portion of the people of any State to undertake to estab lish a separate government within its limits for the purpose of redressing any grievance, real or imaginary, of which they might com plain, against the legitimate State government. Such a principle, if carried into execution, would destroy all lawful authority, said pro duce universal anarchy. From this statement of facts, the reason becomes palpable why the enemies of the government authorized by Congress have refused to vote for delegates to the Kansas Constitutional Convention, and also, afterwards, on the question of slavery submitted by it to the people. It is because they have ever refused to sanction or recognize any other Constitution titan that framed at Topeka. Had the whole Lecompton Consti tution been submitted to the people, the adherents of this organization would doubtless have voted against it, because if successful they would thus have removed an obstacle out of the way of their own revolutionary Con stitution. They would have done this not upon a Consideration of the merits of the whOle or any part of the Lecompton Constitution, but simply because they have ever resisted the In pursuance of this decision of the people in favor of a Convention, the Territorial Leg islature, on the :27th of February,lBs7, passed an act fir the election of delegates on the third Monday of June, 1857, to frame a State Con stitution. This law is as fair in its provisions as any that ever passed a legislative body for a similar purpose. The ritlit of suffrage at this election is clearly and justly defined— " Every bona fide inhabitant of Kansas," on the third Monday of June, the day of the election, wilt; was a citizen of United States, above the age of twenty-one, and had resided therein for three months previous to that date, was entitled to vote. In order to avoid all interference from neighboring States anti Territories with the freedom and fairness of the election, provision was made for the registry of qualified voters, and in pursuance thereof, nine thousand two hundred and fifty one voters were registered. Governor Walker did his whole duty in urging all the qualified citizens of Kansas to vote at this election. In his inaugural address nn the 27th of May last he informed. them, that "under our practice the preliminary act of framing a State Constitution is uniformly performed through the instrumentality of a Con vention of delegates chosen by the people themselves that Convention is now about to be elected by you under a call of the Territorial Legislature, created, and still rec ognized by the authority of Congress, and clothed by it, in the comprehensive language of the organic ialV, with full power to make such an enactment. The Territorial Legisla ture, then, in assembling this Convention, were fully sustained by the Act of Congress and the authority of the Convention is dis tinetly recognized in my instructions from the President the tiMted States." The Governor also clearly and distinctly warns them what would be the consequences if they did ma par ticipate in the election. "The people of Kansas, then," he says, "are invited by the highest authority known to the Constitution, to participate freely and fairly in the election of delegates to frame a Constitution and State Government. The law has performed its entire appropriate function when it ex tends to the people the right of suffrage, but it cannot compel the performance of that duty. Throughout our whole Union, however, and wherever free government prevails, those who abstain front the exercise of the right of suf fray", authorize those who do vote, to act for them in that contingency ; and the absentees are as much bound, under the law and Consti tution. where there is no fraud or violence, by the act of the mnj,rity of those who do vote, as if all had participated in the election. Other wise, as voting must be voluntary, sell govern. meat would be imi-racticable, and monarchy or despotism would remain as the only alter native." It may also he observed that at this period, any hope, if such had existed, that the Topeka Constitution would ever lie recognized by Con gress, must have been abandoned. Congress had adjourned on the third of March previous, having recognized the legal existence of the Territorial Legislature in a variety of forms which I need not enumerate. Indeed, the del egate elected to the house of Representatives under a Territorial law, had been admitted to his seat and had just completed his term of ser vice the day previous ti my inauguration. This was the propitious moment fur settling all the difficulties in Kansas. This was the time for abandoning the revolutionary Topeka organ ization, and for the enemies of the existing government to conform to the laws and unite with its friends in framing a State Constitu tion. But this they refused to do, and the consequences of their refusal to submit to lawful authority and vote at the election of delegates, may yet prove to be of the most deplorable character. Would that the respect for the laws of the land, which so eminently distinguished the men of the past generation could be revived ! It is a disregard and viola tion °flaw which have for years kept the Terri tory of Kansas in a state of almost open rebel. lion against its Government : it is the same spirit which has produced actual rebellion in Utah. Our only safety consists in obedience and conformity to law. :Should a general spirit against its enforcement prevail, this will prove fatal to us as a nation. We acknowledge no master hut the law ; and should we cut louse from its restraints, and every one do what seemeth good in his own eyes, our case will indeed be hopeless. The enemies of the Territorial Government determined still to resist the authority of Congress. They refused to vote for delegates to the Convention,—not because, from circum stances which I need not detail, there was an omission to register the comparatively few voters who were inhabitants of certain counties of Kansas in the early spring of 1857,—but be cause they had predetermined, at all hazards, to adhere to their revolutionary organization, and defeat the establishment of any other Constitution than that which they had framed at Topeka. The election, therefore was suffered to pass by default ; but of this result the quali fed electors, who refused to rote, can never justly complain. From this review, it is manifest that the Lecompton Convention, according to every principle of constitutional law, was legally constituted, and invested with the power t frame a Constitution. The sacred principle of popular sovereignty has been invoked in favor of the enemies of law and order in Kansas. But in what man ner is popular sovereignty to he exercised in this country, if not through the instrumentality of established law ? In certain small Repub lics of ancient times the people did assemble in primary meetings, passed laws, and directed public affairs. In our country, this is maui featly impossible. Popular sovereignty can he exercised here only- through the ballot-box, and if people will refuse to exercise it in this manner, as they have done in Kansas at the election of delegates, it is not for them to complain that, their rights have been violated. The Kansas Convention, thus lawfully.con stituted, proceeded to frame a Constitution, and having completed the work, finally adjourned on the seventh of November last. They did not think proper to submit the whole of this Constitution to a popular vote, but did sub mit the question whether Kansas should be a free or slave State to the people. This was the question which had lighted up the flames of civil war in Kansas, and produced dangerous sectional parties throughout the Confederacy. It was of a character so paramount in respect to the condition of Kansas, as to rivet the anxious attention of the people of the whole country upon it alone. No person thought of any other question. For my own part, when I instructed Governor Walker in general terms, in favor of submitting the Constitution to the people. I hid nn object in view except the all absorbing question of slavery. In what man ner the people might regulate their other concerns, was not a subject which attracted my attention. In fact, the general provisions of our recent State Constitutions, after an experience of eighty yearse are so similar and so excellent, that it would be difficult to go far wrong at the present day in framing a new Constitution. _ I then believed, and still believe, that under the organic act, the Kansas Convention were bound to submit this all important question of slavery to the people. It was never, however, my opinion, that, independently of this act, they would have been bonrid to submit any portion of the Constitution to a popular vote, in order to give it validity. Had I entertained such an opinion, this would have been in op position to many precedents in our history, commencing in the very best age of the Repair , lie. It would have been in opposition to the principle which pervades our institutions, and is every day carried into practice, that the people have the right to delegate to represen tatives chosen by themselves, their sovereign power to frame Constitutions, enact laws, and perfor any other important acts, without requi ring that these should be subjected to their subsequent approbation. It would be a most inconvenient limitation of their own power, imposed by the people upon themselves, to exclude them from exercising their sovereigtfry in any lawful manner they may think proper. It is true, the people of Kansas might, if they had pleased, required the Convention to sub mit the Constitution to a popular vote. But this they have not done. The only remedy, therefore, in this case, is that which exists in all other similar cases. If the delegates who framed the Kansas Constitution, have in any manner violated the will of their constituents, the people always posses the power to change their Constitution or their laws, according to their own pleasure. The question of slavery was submitted to an election of the people of Kansas on the 21st of December last, in obedience to the mandate of the Constitution. Here again a fair oppor tunity was presented to the adherents of the Topeka Constitution, if they were in the ma= jority, to decide this excitingquestion "in their own way," and thus restore peace to the distracted Territory. But they again refused to exercise the right of popular sovereignty, and again suffered the election to pass by default. I heartily rejoice that a wiser and better spirit prevailed among a large majority of these people on the first Monday of January, And that they did on that day vote under the Lecompton Constitution for a Governor and other State (doers, member of Congress, and members of the Legislature. This electionwas warmly contested by the parties, and a larger vote was polled than at any previous election in the Territory. We May now reasonably hope that the revolutionary Topeka organization will be speedily and finally abandoned, and this will go far towards the final settlement of the unhappy differences in Kansas. If frauds have been committed at this election, by one or both parties. the Legislature and the people of Kansas, under the Constitution, will know how to redress themselves, and punish these detestable, but too common, crimes without any outside interference. The people of Kansas have then, " in their own way," and in strict accordance with the organic act, framed a Constitution and State government; have submitted the all important question of slavery to the people, and have elected a Governor, member of Congress, mem bers of the State Legislature, and other State officers. They now ask for admission into the Union, under this Constitution, which is repub lican in its form. It is for Congress to decide whether they will admit or reject the State which has thus been created. For my own part, I am decidedly in favor of its admission, and thus terminating the Kansas question. This will carry out the great principle of non intervention, recognized and sanctioned by the organic act, which declares in express lan guage in favor of the non intervention of Con gress with slavery in the States and Territo ries," leaving " the people thereof perfectly , free to form and regulate their domestic in stitutiAns in their own way, subject only to time Constitution of the United States." In this manner, by localizing the question of slavery and confining it to the people whom it immediately concerned, every patriot ana -1 iously expected this question to be banished from the halls of Congress, where it has. always exerted a baneful influence throughout• the whole country. It is proper that I should briefly refer to the election held under an act of the Territorial Legislature, on the first Monday of January, on the Lecompton Con• stitution. This election was held after the Territory had been prepared for admission into the Union as a sovereign State, and when no authority existed in the Territorial Legis lature, which could possibly destroy its exis tence or change its character. The election, which was peaceably conducted under my instructions, involved a strange inconsistency. A large majority of the persons who voted against the Lecompton Constitution, were, at the very same time and place recognizing its valid existence in the most solemn and au thentic manner, by voting under its provisions. I have yet received no official information of the result of this election. Asa question of expediency, after the right has been maintained, it may be wise to reflect upon the benefits to Kansas and to the'vhole country,which would result from its immediate admission into the Union, as'well as the dis- asters which may follow its rejection. Domes tic pence will be the happy consequence of its admission, and that fine Territory, hitherto torn by dissensions, will rapidly increase in population and wealth, and speedily realize the blessings and comforts which follow agri cultural and mechanical industry. The people then will be sovereign, and can regulate their own affairs in their own way. If a majority of them desire to abolish domestic slavery within the State, there is no other possible mode by which this can be effected so speedily as by prompt admission. The will of the majority is supreme and irresistible, when expressed in an orderly and lawful manner. They can make and unmake Constitutions at pleasure. It would be absurd to say that they can impose fetters upon their own power which they cannot afterwards remove. If they could do this, they might tie their own hands for an hundred as well as for ten years. These are fundamental principles of American freedom and recognized in some form or other by every State Constitution and if Congress in the act of admission should think proper to recognize them, I can perceive no objection. This has been done emphatically in the Constitution of Kansas. It declares in the Bill of Rights, that " all political power is inherent in the people, and all free gover ments are founded on their authority and in stituted for their benefit ; and therefore, they have at all times an inalienable and indefeas- Bible right to alter, reform or abolish their form of government, in such =saner as they may think proper." The great State of New York is at this moment governed under a Con stitution framed in direct opposition to the mode prescribed by the previous Constitution. lf, therefore, the provision changing the Kan sas Constitution after the year 1864, could by any possibility be construed into a prohibi tion to make such change previous to that period, this prohibition would he wholly unavailing. The Legislature already elected, may, at its first session, submit the question to a vote of the people, whether they will or will not, have a Convention.to amend their Con stitutiOn, and adopt all necessary means for giving effect to the popular will. It has been solemnly adjudged by the high est Judicial Tribunal, that slavery exists in Kansas by virtue of the Constitution of the United States. Kansas is therefore at this moment, as much 3 slave State as Georgia or South Carolina. ‘l , ithout this, the equality of the sovereign States composing the Union would be violated, and the use and enjoyment of a Territory acquired by the common treasure lof all the States, would be closed against the people and property of nearly half the mem bers of the Confederacy. Slavery can therefore never be prohibited' in Kansas, except by means of a Constitutional provision, and in no othermanner can this be obtained so promptly, if a majority of the people desire it, as by admitting it into the Union, under its present Constitution. On the other hand, should Congress reject , the Constitution, under the idea of affording I the disaffected in Kansas a third opportunity to prohibit slavery in the State, which they might have done twice before if in the majori ty, no man can foretell the consequences. If Congress, for the sake of those men who refu sed to vote for delegates to the Convention, when they might have excluded slavery from the Constitution, and who afterwards refused to vote on the 21st of December last, when they I might , Ell 3 they claim,have stricken slavery from the Constitution, should now reject the State, because slavery remains in the Constitution, it is manifest that the agitation upon this danger ous subject will be renewed in a more alarm ing form that it has ever yet assumed. Every patriot in the country had indulged the hope that the Kansas Nebraska act would put a final end to the slavery agitation, at least in Congress, which had for more than
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