Eepork.
E. O. GOODRICH, EDITOR.
TOWANI3A :
HinrstJag Morning, febdiarn 11, 1838
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LECOMPTON DEFEATED !
According to previous arrangement tho
House, on meeting, Monday, proceeded to the
consideration of the several motions to refer
the President's Kansas Message.
The demand for the previous question was
seconded by 110 against 105.
The main question was then ordered to be
pnt, by 113 against 107.
The next question announced to be Mr.
STEPHENS' motion to refer the message to the
Committee on Territories. Disagreed to, Ly
113 to 114.
The amendment of Mr. Harris, of Illinois, j
providing for referring the message to a select j
committee of thirteen, which was carried by a 1
vote of 114 against 111.
A motion to re-consider was then made,
and laid upon the table.
This vote, though not final, as to the ad
mission of Kansas, with the Lecompton Con
stitution, will probably defeat the plans of the
Administration. The Committee, by parlia- ,
inentnrv usage, will be composed with a ma
jority of Anti-Leeomptoaites, who having in- i
structions to investigate the frauds practiced j
in Kansas and power to send for persons and
papers, will make such developments as to '
damage very materially the prospects of the
gross swindle.
_ -
REPUBLICAN CONVENTION.
A call appears in the Philadelphia papers,
addressed to the Republicans of Pennsylvania, !
inviting them to meet in informal Convention,
at Harrisbnrg, on the 22d of February, 1858,
at three o'clock, P. M., to adopt such mens- (
nres as may be deemed best calculated to im
press upon the legislation of the nation, the
principles enunciated by the Philadelphia Re
pnblican Convention, of Jnne, 1858, and is
signed by some of the reliable and prom
inent Republicans of the Stale.
We heartily concur in the propriety and ne
cessity of the proposed measure. The Re
publicans of the State should send their best
men from every locality, for conference and de- t
liberation. It is time that preparations were
making for the approaching State election.—
The course to be pursued by the Republicans
should be matter of grave and careful confer
ence. This can best be effected by the pro
posed Convention, and we trust it will be at
tended by those who have only at heart the
good of the Republican party, and the success
of Republican principles.
S&T The Leici*bvr<r Chronicle singularly
misapprehends our remarks in regard to Penn
sylvania interests standing upon their own
merits, and demanding as a National measure
adequate protection. It was not necessary to
abandon New England in 1846, in order to
secure for tho coal and iron of Pennsylvania,
all that was needed, because the manufacto
ries of the Hist were able to compete with the
world, while the furnaces and forges of Penn
sylvania were at the mercy of every fluctua
tion in prices abroad. What wo complained
of, was that the Pennsylvania delegation should
have blindly and stubbornly refused at that
time to listen to any modification of the Tariff
of 1842, when such modification was inevitable
and demanded by the public voice ; and when
it is undeniable that Pennsylvania, by a more
reasonable course might have dictated the de
tails of the new tariff, or at least secured to
the interests of this State all that was neces
sary to develop onr resources.
The Chronic't thinks that the different in
terests must combine in order to thrive. This
doctrine may be plausible in theory, but it will
not answer in practice. Pennsylvania has en
tered into too many such combinations. One
made in 1846 for the sake of the cotton-lords
of New England, has paralyzed our industry,
and prevented the development of the mineral
riches of our State. Mr. KUNKKL had a prop
er appreciation of the fact, that the great tno
nied interests of the country are heartless and
selfish, when he used the following language
in the House, Jan. 13th :—" This 1 do know,
" that these merchant princes and manufaetur
" inaf princes of New England struck hands
" with the free-trade interest in the last Con
" grcss, and prostrated the industry of my
" State. I know that the faith of the mauu
" factoring interest of New England, in rela
" tiou to the other industrial interests of the
" country, as exhibited last winter, was Punic."
Yet in the face of this, the Chronicle wants
the interests of Pennsylvania linked with pro
tection to the cotton and pirw of New Eng
land. We do not ; while we rejoice in the
adoption of any measure which adds to the
prosperity of any section of the Unionj we arc
desirous that tho interests of Pennsylvania
thall-bc presented iu.tfeeu' |g ae light, as being
of Nattoual importance, vid depending more
I thau any others, npoo legislation for their
prosperity. Cotton and wool are ru>t as " na
tional " as coal and iron, because tlie manu
facture and price of the former is governed by
so many considerations, such as a failure of
the staple, and particulury the discovery of
new and labor-saving machinery, which ena
bles our manufacturers to compete with the
; world, because it makes a small item in the
i cost. The production of iron, 011 the contrary,
requires a heavy investment, and its principal
, value consists in the labor required iu its matiu-
I facture. Skill and mechanical ingenuity, are
of little avail iu lessening its first cost. A
system by which the foreign manufacturer, iu
times of depression abroad, is allowed to throw
large quantities into our markets, at prices
not remunerative, parhaps, to him, but ruiuous
to our producers, is the evil we complain of,
and which we would have adjusted. It is all
folly to expect co-operation from other inter
ests. It cannot and should not be relied up
on. When those interests require or seek pro
tection from foreign manufactured goods, thev
may be ready to combine to procure a high
tariff, but when their interests demand'the
introduction, free of duty, of staples, they will
be just as ready to " strike hands " with the
free-trade interest. If Pennsylvania has not
already learned this fact, she is stolid indeed.
She will be nearer the consummation of her
hopes when she recognizes and acknowledges
the truth, that her interests are of National
importance, and as such should be presented
for the fostering care of Congress.
ft®- Wc cheerfully comply with tho request
to publish the proceedings of a so-called, " Dem
ocratic" Convention held somewhere in this
place, !a<t week. We should upon ordinary j
occasions have permitted the occurrence to j
pass without a word of comment, but the omis- |
sion to enunciate any principles, or express any |
opinions upon the great questions now arrest- I
ing the attention of the country, is so remark- j
able, that we cannot, at least, refrain from
expressing our surprise at the important and (
significant omission.
We have yet, in the circle of our acquaint
ance amongst the Democracy, to find the first
person who is willing to endorse the adminis
tration measure of forciug upon the people of j
Kansas the Lecompton Constitution. The j
most of onr Democratic friends, on the contra- :
ry, are loud in their professions of sympathy ;
with DOUGLAS in his endeavors to have the will j
of the majority respected. Yet with all this,
the question has been dodged, unquestionably
for some ulterior purpose.
If tiie Democrats who pretend to be so '
strongly opposed to the Lecompton swindle j
are sincere in their desire that it s:ia!l not be ;
forced through Congress, why have they per- ;
mitted this legitimate opportunity to pass with- j
out contributing to the cause they profess ?
Now, of all other times, is the voice of a Coun
ty Convention potential for good or for evil, for
there are members of Congress, tempted by the !
patronage of Government, hesitating and de- !
bating—fearing to vote for Lecompton in awe i
of the masses —and watching for signs which (
shall indicate that they may make the venture. !
If there is a Democrat in the land who is
sincerely opposed to the perpetuation of the
great fraud and injustice now impending, it is
a time now for him to speak out, on every oc- j
casion when his voice can reach the hails of
Congress to control or influence Represent*- \
tives. The omission to do so, shows a want of
sincerity anil earnestness —a disposition to
truckle before the behests of party, or a timid
ity which dares not speak out boldly, for fear
the measure may eventually be made a test of
party fealty.
Perhaps the Democratic leaders of this Coun
ty expect at Washington and Ilarrisburg to
support BUCHANAN, while here they are loud
in their professions of sympathy with Doc;r. AS
and FORNEY. This omission to express their j
sentiments looks very much like it.
jegrOn the outside will be found some ex
tracts from a speech recently delivered in the
House by Hon. JOHN HICKMAN*, of this State.
Mr 11. was an ardent supporter of Mr. BU
CHANAN'S election to the Presidency, claiming
(as we have no question sincerely) that his ele
vation would secure to the people of Kansas
the opportunity to form their own domestic in
stitutions according to the will of the majori
ty. Now he finds that he has been deceived,
and that " popular sovereignty" only meant
the right to *' form" slavery into the Consti
tution.
It is refreshing in these days of servility and
truckling 011 the part of the Democracy to
read the manly, earnest words uttered by Mr.
HICKMAN*. HOW strikingly his position is in
contrast with that of poor BIGI.ER, who has
become execrated by every true man, and dis
pi.-ed by those who use him as a tool.
FIRF. AT CHEMUNG. —On Thursday morning
last a large wood pile at Chemung, near the
depot, belonging to the N. Y. & E. It. R.,
was set on fire, probably by a spark from a
passing locomotive. Neptune Fire Co. of
Waverly, went upon a special train and did
good service iu saving wood and protecting
| adjoining buildings About 3000 cords of
wood were consumed.
FIREMEN'S BAl.L. —Tickets are out for a
graud Firemen's Ball, at the Ward House, in
this place, 011 Friday evening, Feb. 10. CAN
HAM'S celebrated Band is engaged, and all other
arrangements made necessary to have the af
fair go off with with great edat.
ten" The Court proceedings are unavoidably
deferred until next week, to make rooua for
'he President's Lecompton Message.
Excitement in Congress!
Mr. Keitt Assaults Mr. Grow,
And is Knocked Down !
A GENERAL FREE FIGHT!
Attempt to Refer the President's Message—The
Lecomptonites in a Minority—Adjournment
to Monday, when the Vote is to be taken.
The United States Senate was not in ses
sion Friday, having adjourned over from Thurs
day until Monday.
HOUSE. —In the House, it was the most ex
citing day of the session thus far. It was vot
ed inexpedient to allow further time to take
supplementary testimony in the Ohio contest
ed election case— VALLANDWHAM rs. CAMPBELL.
J. D. Wri.UAM.soN', the witness in the Tariff
Investigation, submitted his amended answer,
and it then appearing that he had answered
all the Committee's questions promptly, he
was, on motion of Mr. STANTON, the Chairman
of the Committee, discharged from custody.—
j The Lecompton question then came tip. Mr.
HAKKIS, of Illiuois, withdrew the resolution he
nad previously submitted for sending the Mes-
I sage and Constitution to the Committee on
Territories and submitted another in its place,
calling for a Select Committee, with the view
of obtaining all the information possible rela
tive to the formation of the Lecompton Con
stitution—the Committee to consist of fifteen,
to be appointed bj the Speaker, and to have
power to semi for persons ami papers. The
Speaker decided that the resolution couid on
ly be offered as an amendment to the mitiou
of Mr. HUGHES, of Indiana, for a Select Com
mittee of thirteen, whereupon MR HARRIS un
expectedly acquiesced in the ruiiug of the
Speaker, and in order as he said, to ascertain
the fate of his resolution at once, moved the
previous question. This was the signal for
the utmost confusion. Mr. HARRIS was in
vain appealed to to withdraw his resolution,
and moved a call of the House. Counter mo
tions, motions to adjourn, and motions for al
most every conceivable purpose, were then the
order—this being the method taken hv the
factious Lecomptonites, who found themselves
in a decided minority, to stave off a direct
vote. Finally at 6 1-2 o'clock Saturday inoru
ing, Mr. QUITMAN submitted a resolution that
the House adjourn till Monday next, when
the subject now under consideration (the Kan
sas Message) shall be resumed, and the vote
on the ponding proposition shall be taken
without being farther delayed by debate or
dilatory motions.
Unanimous consent was given to tiie intro
duction of the resolution, which was agreed
to, and the Speaker announced the House ad
journed till Monday, when the subject will
come up as the special order.
During the session, at about two o'clock in
the morning a rencontre took place between
Mr. GROW ami Mr. KEITT, of South Carolina,
which is thus described in the New York pa
pers :
Mr. GROW objected to Mr. QUITMAN'S mak
ing any remarks. Mr. KEITT said, "if you
are going to object return to your own side
of the House." Mr. GROW responded, " This
is a free hall and every man has a right to be
where he pleases." Mr. KEIIT then came up
to Mr. GROW and said, " I want lo know what
you mean by such an answer as that." Mr.
GROW replied, " 1 mean just what I say.—
This is a free I lull and a man has a right to
be where he pleases." Mr. KElTT —(taking
Mr. GROW by the throat) —said, " I will let
you know that you are a d—d Black Repub
lican puppy." Mr. GROW knocked up his
hand, saying, " I shall occupy such place in
this hull as I please, and no nigger driver shall
crack his whip ever me." Mr. Ktirr then
again grabbed Mr. GROW by tlie throat, and
Mr. GROW knocked his hand off, and Mr.
KF.ITT coming at him again, Mr. GROW knock
ed him down.
{Correspondence of the New York Times.)
WASHINGTON, Saturday, Feb. (j. is.',fl.
The telegraph has already given you a gene
ral statement of the fact that we had a grand
row in the House of Representatives at about
4 o'clock this morning, but some additional
particulars may be found of interest. The
Aiiti-Lecoinpton men yesterday determined to
have a vote at once upon the proposition of
Mr. HARRIS to refer the Constitution of Kan
sas to a Select Committee, with instructions
to investigate the frauds alleged to have been
committed in connection with the formation
of that instrument and the elections held un
der it. The Lecomptonites, upon counting
noses, found themselves decidedly in the mi
nority, and so determined to stave off the vote
until they should have had time to consult,
and, if possible, effect changes enough to save
defeat. So tiiey began the game of factions
opposition, resorting to calls of the Yeas and
Nays on motions to adjourn, calls of the House
&c., &c. This they kept up from 3 o'clock
yesterday afternoon until 0 this morning, the
Anti-Lecompton men pressing steadily for a
vote on the previous question, and expressing
their determination never to yield it. The
Douglas Democrats were as firm and unyield
ing in the contest as the most faithful of the
Republican leaders, and deserve all praise for
their conduct.
Everything passed off, however, in excellent
temper, and with less excitement than is usnal
to night sessions, until neariy 4 o'clock this
morning. Mr. GROW, who is the recognized
Republican leader in the House, went over to
the Democratic side of the Hall to talk with
Mr. HICKMAN, of Pennsylvania. As he turn
ed to leave, Mr. QUITMAN rose and asked to
make an explanation. Mr. GROW objected to
any speeches which were out of order, and
then started down the aisle with a view of re
turning to his owu seat, when Mr. KEITT, of
South Carolina, called out to him, asking,
" Why don't yon go over on yonr own side,
God d—u you, if yon want to object 1 What
business have you ou this side, anyhow ?" or
something to that effect.
Mr. GROW replied, quietly and coolly, say
ing, " This is a free hall, and I have the right
to object from any part of it, when I choose."
Then, in response to an appeal from Mr. HAR
RIS, of Indiana, Mr. GROW withdrew his ob
jection, in order to permit Gen. QUITMAN to go
on. By this time, KEITT, who seems to have
supposed that lie had only to look ferociously
at a Northern man to wilt him —and who pre
sumed, perhaps, upon the fact that he is a
more athletic man than the gentleman from
Pennsylvania—had crossed over to meet Mr.
GROW. AS the latter was about to pass, KEITT
inquired in a ruffianly tone, " What did you
mean by that answer which you gave me just
now ?"
" I meant precisely what I said—that this
s a free hall, and 1 wdl object from whatever
part of it I see fit," was Mr. G ROW'S reply, as
lie looked his assailant in the face. The chiv
alrous and gentlemanly South Carolinian re
turned to the charge, saying : " I'll show you,
you d d Black Republican puppy !" Mr.
GROW, still uuexcited, " You may think
what you please, Mr. KIETT ; but let me tell
you that no nigger-driver shall come up from
his plantation to crack his lash about my
ears !" " We'll see about that," said Mr.
KIEIT, as he caught Mr. JGROW by the throat.
Mr. GROW threw bis assailant's hand off, and
Mr. REUBEN DAVIS, also of Mississippi, who
had followed Mr. KEITT, evidently with thein
teiition or of restraining him, interposed at once
for peace.
This ended the difficulty for an instant, but
almost immediately KEITT broke from Mr. DA
VIS and rushed upon Mr. GROW, seizing him
again by the throat, when the latter planted
a blow under the ear of " the gentleman from
South Carolina," which sprawled him fairly
upon his face upon the floor. Mr. KEITT pick
ed himself up and after some ineffectual and
random passes, left the hall and was seen no more
until after the nxdet ended,except bysome friends
who sponged his bruises. I understand he is
under the impression that he stabbed his tot.,
and so fell ! Tiie mistake, certainly, is excuse
able, for the blow which finally provoked
from Mr. GROW S long-suffering patience, was
so severe that he would hardly lie expected to
have any clear recollection of the circum
stances.
These transactions, which take so much time
to relate, were the work of a very few min
utes, and all occurred on the Democratic side
of the House. When the blow was struck, a
dozen Southern nun rushed towards the par
ties some doubtless to keep the peace, and oth
ers to have a hand in the fight. BARKSDALE,
of Mississippi, MCQUEEN, of South Carolina,
CRAIG K, of North Carolina, and REUBEN DA
VIS were prominent in the scrimmage. Barks
dale specifically states, and I doubt not truly
that his only object was to separate the com
batants. He and other opponents seized
upon GROW at once, as KEITT was already
ho is da combat. To gentlemen on the other
side of the hall, it looked very much as though
the gentleman from Pennsylvania was about
to lie cut into mince-meat, and the Anti-Le
conipton men rushed over in a body to the res
cue. Foremost came Mr. Potter, ol Wiscon
sin, a very athletic, compact man, who bound
ed into the centre of tlie excited group strik
ing right and left with tremendous vigor.—
Washburne, of Illinois, and his brother, of
\Y isconsin, also were prominent, and for a initi
ate or two it seemed as though we were in a
Kilkenny light on a magnificent scale. Barks
dale had hold of GROW, when Potter struck
him a severe blow, supposing that he was hurt
ing that gentleman. Bark-dale turning around
and supposing it was Elihti Washburne who
struck him, dropped GROW, and struck out at
that gentleman from Illinois. Cadwallader
Washburne perceiving the attack upon his
brother, also made a dash at Mr. Barksdale,
and seized him by the hair, apparently for the
purpose of drawing him " into chancery," and
puuimeling him to greater satisfaction. Hor
rible to relate, Mr. Barksdale's wig tame off
in Callawader's left hand—-and his right fist
expanded itself with tremendous force against
the unresisting air. This ludicrous incident
unquestionably did much to restoring good na
ture subsequently—and its effect was height
ened a little by the fact that in the excite
ment of the occasion Barksdale restored his
wig wrong side foremost.
There seems to be very little method in the
struggle, and it was hard to tell who was in
for earnest, and who is trying to restore order,
l'lie Speaker yelled and rapped for order, with
out effect. The Scrgeant-at-Arnis stalked to the
scene of battle, mace in hand, but his " Ameri
can eagle" had no more effect than the Speak
er s gavel. OWEN, LOVBJOY and LAMAR, of
of Mississippi, were pawing each other at one
point—each probably trying to persuade the
the other to lie still. Air. Morr, the grav
haired Quaker representative from Ohio, was
seen going here and tiiere in the crowd.—
DAVIS of Mississippi, got a severe but acci
dental blow from Air. GROW, and various
gentlemen sustained slight bruises and scratch
es. A Virginia representative, who thought
MONTGOMERY, of Pennsylvania, was about to
" pitch in," laid his hand upon his arm to re
strain him, and was percmtorily ordered to de
sist or to be knocked down. Mr. COVODE, of
Pennsylvania, caught up a heavy stone-ware
spittoon, with which to "brain" whoever
might seem to deserve it, but unfortunately
did not succeed in getting far enough into the
excited crowd to find an appropriate subject
for his vengeance and all over the Hall every
body was excited for the time.
Fortunatdy it did not last long, and no
weapons were openly displayed. When order
was restored, several gentlemen were found to
present an excessively tumbled and disordered
but their remained little else to re
call the excitement. Gentlemen of opposite
parties crossed over to each other to explain
their pacific dispositions, and tliey got into a
fight where their only purpose was to prevent
a fight. Alutual explanations, and a heartv
laugh at the ludicrous points of the drama,
were followed by quiet and a return to busi
ness. Disgraceful though all such scenes are,
it must be admitted that Air. GROW was in no
degree responsible for this. He was brutally
assailed,and defended himself at last only after
forbearance had ceased to be a virtue. If the
lesson which he impressed upon his assailant
shall have the effect of restraining henceforth
Mr. KEITT 's exhibitions of insolence, and his
offensive affectations of superiority over his
equals, I don't know that the result will have
been too dearly purchased. He seems to have
labored for many years under the impression
that a man who don't own negroes cau be trod
den upon with impunity, and it is to be hoped
that his present discomfiture will inspire him
with the rcspeet for his colleagues which is
their due.
HOTTRNSTINE has been appointed
Post-master at Overtou, in place of G. W.
HQTTENSTINE, resigned ; and J. BUTTI.ES at
South Hill, in place of — BARNS moved away.
Igp We make room, this week, for the
President's Lecompton Message, in view of the
absorbing interest now taken in the momen
tous straggle against usurpation and fraud.—
We have not room, and hardly patience, to
speak of this abominable document as it de
serves. We ask our readers to peruse it cure
fully ; that they may see to what lengths a
President can go, who sets out to uphold
fraud, and attempts to deprive the people of
their rights.
JDSf In Philadelphia, there has been a bit
ter contest between the FORNEY men and the
Leeomptonites, for the election of delegates to
the 4th of March Convention. The former
are for POUTER for Supreme Judge, and the
latter for SHARSWOOD. The delegates elected
are for PORTER. Resolutions were offered en
dorsing Lecompton, and amidst indescribable
confusion declared adopted. The Dress de
clares they were not passed, and do not repre
sent the feelings of the Democracy of the city
—while the President of the Convention in
sists they were adopted.
Pursuant to custom, a Convention of De
mocracy of Bradford met at the Court House,
iu the Boro' of Towaiula, on the 2d inst., when
E. W. BAIRU, Esq., was called to the chair
and D'A OVERTON appointed Secretary.
On motion, II.J. MARIM. and Col. V. E.
PIOLETTK were elected representative delegates
to the Democratic Convention, to be held at
Harrisburg, on the 4th of March next, with
power to substitute in case of their inability
to attend.
On motion, the delegates were instrncted to
vote for WM KEWELL, Esq., AS the caudidate
for Judge of the Supreme Court.
Col. J - F. Means, E. W. Baird, C. S. Rus
sell, 11. B. M'Kean and D'A. Overton were
appointed conferees to meet the conferees of i
Susquehanna and Tioga counties.
On motion, the Chairman was authorized to
appoint a Standing Committee for the ensuing i
year. The following gentlemen were appoint
ed to compose that Committee : Col. J. F.
Means, Col. Addison M'Kean, John Baldwin,
Frank Smith, Col. Win. E. Barton, Jacob:
Reel and F. Whitman. On motion, it was
Resolved, That the newspapers of the coun
ty be requested to publish the proceedings of
this Convention, and that a copy thereof be
furnished the Montrose Democrat.
E. W. BAIRD, Pres't
D'A. OVERTON, Sec'y.
PRESIDENT'S LECOMPTON MESSAGE.
WASHINGTON, February 2.1858. \
To the Senate and House of Representatiee.s :
I have received from Gen Calhoun, the
President of the late Constitutional Conven-,
tion of Kansas, a copy, duly certified by liiin- !
self, of the Constitution framed by that body
with the expression of a hope that 1 would
submit the same to the consideration of Con
gress, with the view of securing the admission j
ot Kansas into the Union as an independent
State. In compliance with this request, 1
herewith transmit to Congress, for its action, j
the Constitution of Kansas, with the ordinance ,
respecting the Public Lands, as well as the
letter of Gen. Calhoun, dated Lecompton, 14tli
ult., by which they were accompanied.
Having received hut a single copy of the
Constitution and Ordinance, I send this to the i
Senate.
A great delusion seems to pervade the pub
lic mind in relation to the condition of parties
in Kansas. This arises from the difficulty of
inducing the American people to realize the
fact that any portion of them should be in a !
state of rebellion against, the Government un
der which they live. When we speak of af
fairs iu Kansas, we ore apt to refer merely to
the existence of two violeut political parties
in that Territory, divided on the question of
slavery, just as we speak of such parties in
the States. f J his presents no adequate idea [
of the true state of the ease. The dividing I
line there is not between two political parties,
both acknowledging the lawful existence ot"
the Government, but between those who are)
loyal to this Government and those who have !
endeavored to destroy its existence by force 1
and usurpation—between those who sustain ;
and those who have done ail in their power i
to overthrow the Territorial government es-1
tablished by Congress. This Government :
they would long since have subverted, had it
not been protected from their assaults by the i
troops ot the 1 uited -States. Such has been
the condition ot affairs since my inauguration. :
Ever since that period a large portion of the ,
people of Kansas have been in a state of re
bellion against the Government, with a milita-|
ry leader at their head of the most turbulent J
and dangerous character. They have never )
acknowledged, but 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 i
have all the time been endeavoring to subvert
it, and establish a revolutionary Government
under the so-called Topeka Constitution in its
stead. Even at this very moment, the Tope
ka Legislature is in session. Whoever has;
read the correspondence of Governor Walker
with the State Department, recently coininu-!
nicated to the Senate, will be convinced that
this picture is not overdrawn. He always'
protested against the withdrawal of any por
tion of the military force of the United States >
from the Territory, deeming its presence abso- '
lately necessary for the preservation of the ,
regular government and the execution of the 1
laws. In his very first dispatch to the Seere-!
tary of State, dated June 24, 1857, he says :!
" The most alarming movement, however,
proceeds from the assembling of the so-called :
Topeka Legislature, with the view to the en
actment of an entire code of laws. Of course, |
it will be my endeavor to prevent such a result
as would lead to an inevitable disastrous colli-!
sion, and, in fact, renew civil war in Kansas.'' j
This was with difficulty prevented by the
efforts of Governor Walker, but soon Geueral
Harney was required to fnruish him a regi
ment of dragoons to proceed to the City of
Lawrence ; and this for the reason that he
had received anthentic intelligence, verified by
his own actual observation, that a dangerous
rebellion had occurred, " involving open de
fiance to the laws, and the establishment of
an insurgent government in that city." Iti
the Governor's dispatch of July 15th," he in
forms the Secretary of State " that the move
ment at Lawrenre was the beginning of a plan,
originating in that city, to organize an insur
rection throughout the Territory, and especial
ly in all towns, cities and counties, where the
Republican party have a majority. Lawrence
is the hot-bed of all the abolition tnovemeuts
iu this Territory. It is tbe town establish
by the Abolition Societies of the East ; ar
whilst there are respectable people there it'
tilled by a considerable number of mercen &r ;'
who are paid by the Abolition Societies t!
perpetuate and diffuse agitation throogho-
Kansas, and prevent the peaceful
of this question. Having failed in indm-ir,
their own, the so-called Tupeka State
ture, to organize this insurrection,
has commenced it herself, and if not
the rebellion will extei d throughout the T->
ritory."
And again : " Iu order to send thiscomut.
nication immediately by mail, I must close Sl
suriug you that a spirit of rebellion
the great mass ot the Republicans of thisT—
ritory, instigated, as I entertain no doubt
are, by Eastern Societies, having in view r l
suits most disastrous to the Government a q
the Union. And that the continued pre*>r c ,
of General Ilarney is indispensable, as or, f .
nally stipulated by me, with a large bodv '
dragoons and several batteries."
On the 2Uth of July, 1857, General L an ,
under the authority of the Topeka Conv •.
tiou, undertook, as Governor Wa Iker savi
" to organize the whole so called Free Su- t
party into volunteers and take t!e uumes r)
all who refuse enrollment. The professed ob
ject was to protect the polls at the election
August, of the now insurgent Topeka Stale
Legislature. The object of taking the
of ali who refuse the enrollment is to terr.fr
the Free State conservatives into submit'
This is proved by the recent atrocities co&
mitted on such men by the Topekuites. f.
speedy location of large bodies of regular troo to
with two batteries is necessary. The L,.
reuce insurgents await the development of t-.,
new revolutionary military organization.''
In General Walker's dispatch of July 27th
heays : " General Lane and his stuff evert
where deny the authority of the T.-rritor,-
laws, and counsel a tota l disregard of tiie*
enactments." Without making further qnota
tions of similar character, from other di-j.utr.
es of Governor Walker, it appears by reference
to Acting Governor Stanton's coram uiratiw
to Secretary Cass, under date of tbe 1 9th of
December last, that " the important step of
calling the Legislature together was hikes af
ter the Governor had become satisfied thank
election ordered by the Convention on the 21,-
inst., could not be conducted without coif
or bloodshed." So intense vra the disbti
feelings among the enemies of the Governnir:
established by Congress, that an election wh
afforded tlieui an opportunity, if in the inaic:
itv, of making Kansas a free Stat", accord ;
to their own professed desire, could not be cot
ducted without collision or bloodshed. TV
truth is, that until the present moment, the en
emies of the existing Government .-till udwer*
to the Topeka Revolutionary Constitution at
Government The very first paragraph of ti
message of Governor Robinson,dated the 7th i
December, to the Topeka legislature, now as
sembled in Lawrence, contains an open defiant
of the Constitution and laws of the Uuiw
States. The Governor says : " The Conven
tion which framed the Constitution at Toj-cL
originated with the people of Kansas Territo
ry. They have adopted and ratified the nam*
twice by a direct vote, and also indiro-tv
through two elections of State officers a,,
members of the State legislature, yet it has
pleased the Administration to regard the where
proceedings as revolutionary." This To;iek
government, adhered to with such treasonable
pertinacity, is a government in direct opposi
tion to the existing government as pr-seriW
and recognized by Congress, li is an usurpa
tion of the same character as it would be for
a portion of the people of any other Btateto
undertake to establish a separate government
within its limits for the purpose of mlrcv,*
any grievances, real or imaginary, of wliica
tliey might complain, against the legitime
State Government. Such a principle, if carri
ed into execution, would destrov all lawful au
thority, and produ e universal anarchy Froa
this statement of facts, the reupon beeuiues )ni
pabic why the enemies of the governmental!
thorized bv Congress have refused to v-:r
Delegates to the Kansas Constitutional •' •
vent.on, and also, afterwards, on the qiu-v
of slavery submitted by it to the people I:
is because they have ever refused to sanction
or recognize any other Constitution t'nn tU:
framed at Topeka. Had the whole Lew
ton Constitution been submitted to the people,
the adherents of this organization would doah
less have voted against it, because if n
cessfu! they would thus have an obstacle oU
of the wav of their own revolutionary t'onf
tution. They would have done this not up 3
consideration of the merits of the whole orpft
of the Lecompton Constitution, but simply lit
cause they have ever resisted the authority
the government authorized by Congress, iron
which it eineuated.
Such being the unfortunate condition uf:*
affairs of tlie Territory, what was the r-it
as well as duty, of law-abiding people ? Wtfl
tliey silently and patiently to submit to 1 1
Topeka usurpation, or adopt some neves* ll !
measure to establish a Constitution under t*
organic law of Congress? That this law r
cognized the right of the people of the
tory, without the enabling act of Uougrc*. > {
form a State Constitution, is too clear for
gument. For Congress "to leave the
ot the Territory perfectly free," frainin? tiir'
Constitution, " to form and regulate theird*
tuestic institutions in their own way, snhjfrt
only to the Constitution of the United States
and then to say they shall not be permitted*
proceed and frame a Constitution in their ot
way, without the express authority froul
gress, appears to be almost a contradiction 6
terms. It would be much more plausible tW
the people of a Territory might be kept out**
the Union for an indefinite period, and unt:i-t
might please Congress to permit theiu toes ';
cise the right of self-government. This *" 0 - J
be to adopt, not" their own way," but the *'!
which Congress might prescribe.
It is impossible that any people eon-Id l'
proceeded with more regularity in the tor""*
tion ot a Constitution than the people of K' s "
sas have done. It was necessary first, to as
certain whether it ws the desire of the I* 1-
pie to be relieved from a Territorial
dency, and establish a State Government !s
this purpose, the Territorial Legislator? ! >
1855, passed a law " for taking the sense |
the people of tikis Territory, upon thee*!**
eney of a Convention to form a State
tutiou," at the general election to l>e held'
October, 1855. The " sense of the [*?P*
was accordingly taken, and tbey decided in-*
vor of a Couveution. It is true that at
election, the enemies of the Territorial '
meut did not vote, because they were the" fl
gaged at Topeka, without the slightest U
text of lawful-authority, in framing 1 .
tution of their own, for the purpose of
ting the Territorial Government.
In pursuance of this decision of the