Newspaper Page Text
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Y'i-
-■ ■' fgK?
was determine*! fo either role or fain f To pre
vent it from being overtarned bjforae?—in the
language of the Constitution, to “taka car® that
' the law* be faithfully executed!” It w»» for
thia purpose, and this alone.* that I; ordered a
military force to Kansas, Jo act as * posse com-
i tat us in aiding the civil magistrate to carry the
laws into execution.
The condition of the Territory at the time,
which I need not portray, rendered this precau
tion absolutely necessary. In this state cf af
fairs, would 1 not have been justly condemned
had 1 left the marshal and o^ther officers of like
character impotent to execute the process and
judgment of courts pf justice Established by
Congress or by tht Territorial Legislature un
der its express authority, and thus have suffered
* the government itself *to become an object of
contempt in the eyes of the people! And yet
this is what you designate as forcing “the people
of Kansas to obey laws not of their own, nor of
the United Slates;” and for which you have
denounced me as having violated my solemn
oath, I ask, what else could I have done, or
ought l have done? Would you have desired
that I should abandon the Territorial govern
ment, sanctioned as it had beeft by Congress,
to illegal violence, and thus renew the scenes of
civil war and bloodshed which every patriot in
the country had deplored ? This would, indeed,
. have been to violate my oath of office, and to
fix a damning blot on the 'character of my ad
ministration.
I most cheerfully admit that the necessity, for
sending a military force to Kansas, to aid in (fie
execution of the civil law, reflects no credit upon
the character of*our country. But let the blame
fall upon the heads of the guilty. Whence did
this necessity arise ? A portion of the people of
Kansas, unwilling to trust to the ballot box—the
certain American remedy for the redress of all
grievances—undertook to create an independent
government for themselves. Had this attempt
proved successful, it would of course, have subvert
ed the existing government, prescribed and recog
nized by Congress, and substituted a revolutionary
government in its stead. This was a usurpation
of the same character as it would be for a portion
of tbe.|fopleof.Connecticut to undertake to estab
lish a seperate government within its chartered
limits for the purpose of redressing any grievance,
real or imaginary, of which they might have com
plained against the legitimate State Government.
Such a principle, if carried into execution, wopld
destroy all lawful authority and produce universal
anarchy. .
I ought to specify more particularly a condition
of affairs, which I drove embraced only in general
terms, requiring the presence of a military force in
Kansas. The Congress of the United Stales bad
most wisely declared it to be "the true intent and
meaning of tbia act, (the act organizing the Terri
lory) not to legislate slavery into any Territory or
State, nor to exclude it therefrom, but to leave the
people thereof perfectly free to form and regulate
their domestic institutions in their own way, sub
ject only to the Constitution of the United States.”
As a natural consequence, Congress has also
prescribed by the same act, that when the Territo
ry of Kansas shall be admitted as a State, it “shall
be received into the Union, with or without slavery.
Slavery existed at that period, and still exists in
Kansas, Under the Constitution of the United Stales.
This goint baa at last been decided by the .highest
tribunal known to our laws. Hou it could ever
have been doubled is a mystery. If a confederation
*of aoverign States acquire a new Territory at the
expense of their common blood and treasure, sure*
ly one set of partners can have no right to exclude
the other from its enjoyment by prohibiting them
trom taking into it whatsoever is recognized to be
property by the common constitution.—But when
the people—the bonafide residents of such Terri
tory—proceed to frame a Statp constitution, then
it is their right to decide tho question for themselves
whether they will continue, modify or abolish.slav
cry. To them, and to them atone, does this ques
tion belong, free from all foreign interference.
* Id the opinion of the Territorial Legislature of
Kansas, the time had arrived for entering the Union,
and they.accordingly passed a law to elect dele
gatee for the purpose of framing a State Constitu
tion. This law was fair and just in its provisions.
It conferred the right of suffrage on “every bona
fide inhabitant of the Territory and, for the pre
venting fraud and the intrusion of citizens of near
or distant Slates, moot properly confined this right
to those who had resided therein three months pre
vious to the election. Here a fair opportunity was
presented for all the qualified resident citizens of
the Territory to whatever aide they might have
previously, belonged, to participate in the election,
and to express their opinions at the ballot box on
the question of slavery. Bat numbers of lawless
men still continue to resist the regular Territorial
government They refused either to be registered
or to vote ; and the members of the Convention
were elected, legally and properly, without their
interventiSn. The Convention will soon assemble
to perform the solemn duty of framing a constitu
tion for themselves and their posterity; and :n the
• state of incipient rebellion which still exists in
Kansas, it -is my imperitive duty to employ the
trpope of the United States should this become
necessary, in defending the Convention against vi
olence whilst framing the Constitution, and in pro*
tectlng the 7*bona fide inhabitants” qualified to
vote under the provisions of this instrument, in the
fret exercise of the right ofsnffrage when it shall
be submitted to them for their approbation or re
jection.
I have entire confidence In Gov. Walker, that
the troops will not be employed except to resist ac
tual aggression or in the execution of the laws;
and this not until the power of the civil magistrate
■hall prove unavailing. Following the wise ex
ample of Mr. Madison towards the Hartford Con
vention. illegal and dangerous combinations, such
as that of the Topeka Convention, will not be dis
turbed unless they shall attempt to perform some
•ct which will bring them into actual collision
with the constitution and the laws. In that, event,
they shall be resisted and put down by the whole
power of the government. In performing this doty,
I shall have the approbation of my own conscience,
and, an I humbly trust, of my-God.
I thank yon for the assurance that you will “not
refrain from the. prayer that Almighty ,G& will
make my administration an example of juatice and
beneficence.” You can greatly assist me in arriv
ing at thin blessed consutnation by exerting your
Influence in allaying the exiating sectional excite
ment on the subject of slavery, which baa been
prodective.of much evil and no good,and which if
it could succeed in attaining its object, would min
the slave as well ae bit matter. This would be a
work of genolne philanthropy. Every day of my
life I feel bow jotdeqoate { am to. perform th'e du-
. tie* of my high station without the continaed sup.
• port of Divine Providence; yet, placing my treat in
Him, and i{ Him alone, I enterttia a good hope
that He will enable ms to do eqoal justice to alt
latrwt:
TUMMY, SEPTEMBER 17,1857;
FOR GOVERNOR,
JOSEPH E. BROWN,
OF CUEBOKEE COUNTY., *
GEORGIA LEGISLATURE.
FOB THE SENATE.
W. M. SLAUGHTER.
FOR HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE.
.a.: b. Harris.
FOR CONGRESS,
1st Dist. JAMES L. SEWARD, of Thomas.
2d “ HI. J. CRAWFORD, of Muscogee,
3d “ DAVID J. BAILEY, of Bolts. *
4th “ L. J. GARTRELL.jf Fallon.
5th “ A. R. WRIGHT, of Floyd.
6th “ JAMES JACKSON, of Clark.
7th <> LINTON STEPHENS, of Hancock
jjfh “ A. II. STEPHENS, of Taliaferro.
. V’
Ing Country.
The Health of Albany and the Snrronnd-
m
Last week we yrete in the op-country of
Georgia, and. we were frequently astonished by * “If. a eon federation of sovereign. Statesac-
•I® exists there nnd.er the Constitution, and-lay*
dottfo this truly Constitutional arid Southern
doctrine— <' . ?{■' *V
The Poetry of “B. B.,” is not suited to oor
P® per - * • ^ mm
Manufactured Honey.*
We have received from J. L. Bvingtun, Esq,a
bottle of excellent honey, manufactured by himself.
It seems to be a perfect imitation of honey raann
factored by Bees.
0£r The weather is dry*and warm. Cotton
planters complain of boll-worm and shedding
fruit. The general health of the country is im
proving.
Cotton Market.
We are informed*lhat there is already a plen
ty of rrtoney in Albany for the purchase of cot
ton. The supply will be ample throughout the
season, and we do not donbt that planters will
find here ready purchasers and a good market.
We shall give regular weekly reports of the
receipts and sales.
Receipts and Sales of Cotton,
Reported by Messrs. Jackson dr Collier, up to
yesterday noon.—Sixty-four bales—all new—
of which 24 bales have been put on the market
here and sold, viz: 14 bales at 15c.; 4 at 14 Jc.,
and 6 at 141-
Hon, Robert Toombs,
WV.ara gratified to announce -to oor readers,
that non. Robert Toombs will address the people
at Albany, on Friday, the 2d day of October.—
The Friday before the Election.
Let our friends make ample preparations, and
let efery body come to the feast of right reason snd
good barbecue.
Hon. J. E. Brown.
Since the notice of- the appointment of Mr.
Toombs was written, we haVe received the no
tice of Judge Brown’s appointments, which we
publish below. It is probable that these gen
tlemen will arrange to be at Albany on the
same day, of which doe.notice will be given.
We are gratified that Judge Brown has made
these appointments, and hope that all will hear
him. He is a plain, straightforward, honest
man, who is calculated to gain and to keep the
confidence of all who know him.
Judge Brown will address his fellow-citizons—
At Augusta, on Saturday nfglit, September 19.
GreeBsboro*, Monday do 21.
Madiaou, Tuesday do 22.
Covington, Wednesday
Monticello, Thursday
Jackson, Friday
Griffin, Saturday
Butler, Monday
Perry, Tuesday
Americus, Wednesday
Albany, Thursday
Hon. B. H. Hill is respectfully requested to at
tend ami discuss upon equal terms.
reports tof sickness In Albany and the aarrbond-
ing country—known as South-western Georgia.
Boon after oor return we received a letter from
a-friend in Eatonton, who says—“We have ex
travagant (?) reports of sickneas io Albany-—is
it90 f”'
We now meet these systematically falsified
reports and rumors, pot forth and circulated by
interested parties to subserve* a purpose, with
facts which demonstrate that Albany and the
surrounding country is this moment, as it has
been for the last twelve years, among the heal
thiest parts of the State of Georgia. We believe
that a comparison of the kills of mortality for
this year, and every year for the last twelve
years, will show that the deaths have been more
in every other part of the State in proportion
to population. •
The following is a carefully prepared list of
all the deaths which have occurred in Albany
from the first day of January last to this date,
with the causes
1 Precilfa Shepherd ;* Disease of the heart.
2 Rachael McDaniel; Measles..
3 Thomas Lvon; Aged, and-genera? bad health.
4 Henry Rodgers f Measles.
5 Child of J. C. Gardner-?' Diarrhaa"
, 6 An Irishman i Suicide by taking Laudanum.
7 Infant daughter of Dr, Huntington; Measles.
8 Wm. A. Burton J Congestion of the Brain.
9 J. W. Sease; Mania: a-portu.
10 Infant of C. Gin; Diarrhcri.
11 Infant of J. H. Hill; Teething and convulsions,
12 Slisa Cofey: Intestine obstruction.
13' Mfa. J. M. Kendall / Consumption.
14 Mrs. L. P. B. Warren; Childbirth.
15 Mrs. P. J. Strozer; Chronic Female complaint.
16 Infant of P. J. Strozer; Diarrhoea.
17 A Dutchmen ; Dissipation.
18 Child of R. J. Norton; Diarrhoea.
Whites, l’8
Negroes, (child—‘property of tfr. Hardwick) 1
quire a new'Territory at the expense of their
common blood and treasure, sorely one set of
the partners can have'do right, to exclude the
other'from; its enjoyment by prohibiting them
from taking into it whatsoever is recognized to
be property by the common Constitution.”
6tb. He declares the laws, of-the .Kansas
Legislature, providing for calling a convention
la form a Constitution, “fair and justthus re
buking. the slanders erf the Abolitionists upon
the pro-slavery Legislature of Kansas, and de
fining his own views of those resident inhabi-*
Cants who are entitled to vote.
7th. He recognizes , the validity "of the con
vention which has been elected to form a Con
stitution, and will protect that body in the dis
charge of its functions—and he wtH protect the
"bona fide inhabitants, qualified to vote under
the provisions of this instrument”—that is, the
Constitution formed by the convention—"in tbe
free exercise of the right of suffrage when it
shall be submitted to their approbation or re
jection.”
Here it will be seen, that the Constitution to
be formed by the convention,.is to determine
the qualification of voters, and the question of
whether it shall be submitted to the people or
not. These are matters which are properly ac
corded to the discretion of the convention of the
people of Kansas.
The whole letter,of Mr. Buchanan is admira
ble, and will give confidence in his administra
tion to all who reverence the Constitution and
the rights of the States.
To travef is pleasant, but after all, “there is
no place lifcp home/V l am anxious to gqt*
back to Albany, . if we.have nqtih.e best Water
in the world, there is no people that 1 have met,
that ’suits me any better than .out*. :
Yours, dec., =. M.
Total for tlie present yieaf. ...... ✓. 19
Population estlntatCJ at 2000’.
It will be remarked that not a single death
has occurred from fever, chill and fever, or cau
se’s incident to climeTe*.-
The follow mg is a fist of negroes on plants
fiofts in Dougherty and Lee counties, as we
have been able to see the owners or their over
seers, in the streets, since We commenced the
examination for this report,-with the number of
deaths the present year and the causes
Owners, ito. of Negroes. Deaths. Cauxes.
Davis Pace....-.<r00‘
John Jackson..
D. A. Vason...
Geo. W. CoTRer,.
A. Herrington,
John Barksdale,..
Wm. E. Collier..
T. F- Hampton...
J. C. Brooks
Mrs. 8. Spicer...
B. O. Keaton ....
C. M. Mayo
24.
. 28.
October J.
C^T We call attention to the advertisement
of W. W. Cheever, Esq, in another column
announcing the sale on the first Tuesday in
December next, of business and residence lots
in this place.
OCT It will be seen by reference to our stiver
tising columns this week, that Messrs. Mercer
& deGraffenriod are determined tho people of
this section shall not want for Family Grocer
ies at reasonable prices.*
Messrs. Jackson & Collier have commenced
storing cotton. See their card in appropriate
column. i .
See, also, notice of dissolution of Cochran dc
Boynton.
Mr. Crawford and Mr. 8eward t in Allay.
According to appointment, Hon. M. J. Craw
ford addressed a large number of his fellow-
citizens, at this plaee» on Thursday last. Those
who were present listened attentively through
his able speeeh, and seemed to be satisfied that
Mr. Crawford wontd do to represent the.Seeond
District in the next Congress—-Mr. Elam and
direct taxation to the contrary, notwithstanding.
Mr. Crawford had got about half through
with his speech, when Col. Seward, of the 1st
Congressional District-passing through here to
fill an appointment—made bis appearancerrad
was welcomed to the stood with loud cheering.
When Mr. Crawford concluded, CoL Seward
was loudly called for, rad responded in a few
remarks in advocacy of the administration and
the Democratic cause.
portion, of the Union, and thui .render no tn hum
ble iutrament in restoring pete, tod; harmony
uqioDg tbe people of th'e several State*.
do
7<*
do
25
do
35*
do
m
do
20’
do
20
do
60
do
23
So
33
So
50 ’
So
55*
Jo
50
do
23 "
do •
40
1
Pneumonia.
40
1
Sun-stroke.
10
none.
27
1 Female disease.
17 .
1 Woman; dropsy.
18
none.
9
do
23
do
20
do
7
do
55
do
93
do
.65
2
70
none.
61
1
, Killed.
40
none.
21
do
38
do
44
do
71
do
50.
l
Childbed.
32
none.
22
do
12
do
Total Negroes 1519 8
Here are 1519 negroes, taken indiscriminate
ly, among whom there have been but 8 deaths
the present year, and none of these from fever
or disease incident to climate.
These facts show a rare exemption from mor
tality in Albany and the surrounding country,
and we trost they will be sufficient to silence
tbe falsehoods which are in circulation abroad.
There have been some cases of chill and fever
—perhaps more than usual—but they have been
chiefly confined to the new comers, many of
whom are employed in exposed situations, and
some of them not well provided with bouses and
other comforts; but the case* which have oc
curred are generally mild, and readily yield to
medical treatment.
We trust that oar ca-temporaries, published
in other parts of the State, will, as a matter of
justice to this section, notice this report.
Mr. Bachanan’s Letter.
We publish this week the correspondence
betweeu certain Northern men and President
Buchanan, to which we ask the attention of
oor readers. Mr. Bncbanan leaves not a single
point in donbt as to hrs soundness, on tbe (Con
stitutional righto of tbe Sooth. His Southern
Know Nothing enemies are left without an ar
gument, against him, .unless they pervert his
dearly expressed views.
1st He recognizes the Territorial Legislature
of Kansas, and will “take care that the laws be
faithfully executed.” *'. ,
2d.. He repudiates the Topeka Legislature,
rad will, if necessary, use the. whole power of
the Government to defeat their treasonable ob
jects.
3d. Ho places the blame of .the recent trou
bles in-Kansas upon the Abolitioniats, w^ota it
belongs.
4th. He holds to the principles of tbe Kansas
act, lu which tbe people thereof are left "per
Hon. J. L. Seward.
We are gratified to learn that the prospect for
this gentleman’s re-election to Congress is good,
against both hi* opponents. If there is any
thing to he accomplished for the 1st Congres
sional District,- or for the State of Georgia, in
Congress, Air. Seward 1s the man to do it. We
speak from personal observation, 88 well as
•from the record 1 , when we say that Mr."Reward
was one of the most influential and efficient
working members of the last House of Repre
sentatives.
Qdestions of Stafe Policy.
Among the questions of State policy which
will agitate the next Legislature, will be—
The future disposal of the State Railroad.—
This Road is one of the safest and most valua
ble funds owned by any State in this U nion. The
net profits of the Road over and above its work
ing expenses for the present year, will be more
than five hundred thousand dollars, the greater
part of which has been appropriated to com
pleting and equipping the Road. It rs now in
good order, or nearly so, and is well equipped
for business. After the present year, tbe profits
of the Road will pay the whole expense of the
State government, and leave a sinking fund equal
to the payment of the debt of the State, within
a few years. The Legislature should not sell
the Road or any part of it There is no neces
sity for it. The tax-payers have borne the
burden of its construction, now let them reap
the profits in exemption from taxation. Its sale
under present circumstances, would be a folly
which would never be forgotten or forgiven.
Another important question will be-—the
amount and character of State-aid to Railroads.
We lay it down as a sound principle, that the
State should not subscribe for Railroad stock
and thereby become a partner with private in
dividoals in these enterprises. And we lay it
down as an equally sound principle, that when
ever tbe State can aid the construction of Rail
roads within her limits by the loan of her credit
for the purchase of Iron—the State being made
perfectly SAfe against the payment of any money,
either interest or principal—it it her duty to do
so. It would promote the interest of every tax
payer in the State, and it would give strength
and security to every State interest.
^ “Tbe Soithera Entity.*
We have received a proapectua of a paper to be
' pnblithed in Thomaarllle, under this title. Jt
take* the place of tbe ‘•Soothern ’
“ It will be Bos them Democrat- ,
[CORRESPONDEXCE OF THE PATRIOT.]
Catoosa-Springs, Sept. 11, 1857.
fit. Editor .—I now redeem a promise mode
you some lime since. I may as well begin at
Catoosa. I have only 1 been here a few’days,
but learn from others, who have been here all
summer, that the crowd of visitors baa occa
sionally been too great for eomfort. The so
ciety is of,the best in this State, Alabama and
Tennessee. The visitors are refined—good
taste in dress, and not ao much of that blind
obedience to the laws of Fashion as one ex
pects to see at a fashionable watering plaee.—
’Tia true, dancing is the principal amusement,
and entered into with'mnoh apparent zest by
most of the young people, widows and widovxrt,
but it is conducted in a way at not I. incom
mode those who do not participate. Maj. Batty
ia untiring in his efforts to make hit gneata com
fortable, and serves op jvith a liberal hand, an
abundance of tbe good things of. this life. To
tbe mere pleasure hunter, there is np place more
attractive, and to tber seeker after health, it ia a
pleasant retreat from the aeorching anna of the
South and South-west. Here ia every variety
of mineral water, a bracing atmosphere, and
lovely scebery.
You may with to hear about crops. . The
cprn crops are fine—gdod every where: * The
planters all agree that there will be a supera
bundant crop. ' Cotton isiarge, an*d a late frost
may .secure an average yield.. The-weather
has been tod cool for [he.growth of cotton..
Yon'asked for a wqrd abtjnt politics. Well,
Mr. Editor, the people seem perfectly cool about
the Governor’s election. In Cherokee it is the
universal opinion that Brown will be elected by
fnto the Union with or withoot slavery, a* their
may prescribe at the lime of their
5th: He declare! that slavery existed in Kan.
sis,at lbs organization, of tie'.ffltfriioijr.Wl
feetiy free to form and regulate their domestic
institutions in their .own way* subject only to
the Constitotion of tbe United Statea”; and
When admitted ae a State it “shall be received »largo majority. Mr. Hill’* election' is tfon-
sideyed impossible. From all I can see and
hear, {ihipk the people are content to wait mail
after the frit Monday in Ocioier for Hr. Buch
anan to endorse or condemn the course of Wal-
ker in.Kansas;.
Alexander II. Stephens* Speech—B. H.
J Hill’s Letter.
From tKat able Journal, the (Constitutionalist, we
find the following report of apportion of the speech
of Mr Stephens, at Augusta. We bespeak*lor it
a careful perusal^ by our readers. It will show,the
people of Georgia, how accurate Mr. Hilt; the
Know Nothing candidate for Governor, in Iiis state
ments, which he says, no one can 4 denv. Mr.
Hill, we think will devote himself to the law and
let politics alone after this canvass. But for the
speech. • y .
Mr- Stephens then referred to alien suffrage anf
squatter sovereignty, as pretexts of opposition to
the Kansas biti, used by the American party, and
upon the doctrine of alien suffrage, quoted from
Mr. Hill’s late letter in which that gentleman had
stated broadly that Mr. Buchanan was the first to
suggest a departure from that doctrine" of citizen
suffrage, in a letter written by him in 1847. This
was not true—so far from it, .the doctrine of alien
snffrage, or the doctrine of clothing with the elec
tive franchise, in the Territories, persons other
than citizens, was as old as the government itself—
nay older, because it had been recognized in the
ordinance of 1787. wbiclj was enacted by the Con
gress of the Confedratlnri, before the adoption of
the Federal Constitution. That ordinance was
enacted in 1787, and it was afterwards, on thellh
of Aogast, 1789, (Washington being President of
the United States) re*enated and confirmed by the
Congress of the United .States. Ita provision up
on the subject of suffrage was as follows:
So soon as there shall be five thousand free
male inhabitants of full age in the district, upon
giving proof thereof to the Governor, they shall re
ceive authority with time and place to elect Rep
resentatives from their counties or townships to
represent them in the General Assembly. * *
Provided, also, that a freehold in fifty acres of land
in the District, having been a citizen of one of the
States, and being a resident in the District, or the
like freehold and two years residence in the Dis'rict,
shall be necessary -to qualify a man as an elector
of a Representative ”
This was the provision of the ordinance of 1787,
enacted W«»re the formation of the Constitution,
and afterwards confirmed by the Congress of the
United States, George Washington signing the
bill, which confirmed it- It ought to be more ob
jeetionable to the.opponents of alien suffrage, than
the provision of the Kansas act in relation to suf
frage, than the provision of tne Kansas act, citizens
were allowed to vote at the firat election, and aliens
who had declared their intention to become ciliz
and would lake an oath to support the Constitution
of the United Slates and the Kansas act. By the
provision of the Ordinance of 1787, citizens of the
United States resident in the Territory, and own
ing fifty acres of land, were authorized to vote, and
men were allowed to vote who had resided In the
Territory fop two years and owned fifty acres of
land. These men might have been aliens iri heart
as well as in fact, for they were not required, as
the electors (other than citizens,) were by the Kan
sas act, to have declared their intention to become
citizens, and to b&ve purged their consciences of
allegiance tok foreign government, by taking the
oath which is required u> making ihis declaration
of intention, ae well as an oath to anpport the
Constitution of the United States and the Kansas
The aliens, authorised to vote by the Kan
sas act, were inchoate citizens of the United States
—those authorized to vote by the Ordinance of’87
were aliens in fact, who had not abjured allegiance
to tbe Governments under which they were born,
and who never might abjure it, but might remain
forever in fact, and be torever aliens in heart. Mr.
Stepheus, having thus shown that the provision of
the Ordinance was a farther departure from the
doctrine of citizen suffrage than that of the Kansas
bill, proceeded to show that it had been re-enacted
by Congress, in 1790 (Washington still being
President,) in the bill organizing the Territory of
Tennessee; in 1798, in the bill organizing the
Territory of Mississippi, and afterwards at various
times, in bills organizing the Teritories of Ohio,
Indiana, Illinois and Michigan. In the Clayton
compromise, (for which Mr. Calhoun voted) in the
Oregon bill, in the Minnesota bill, end in the Wash
ington bill, there was a deviation from the language
of the. Ordinance of 1787—the language used up
on the subject of suffrage being identical with that
employed in the Kansas act In tbe bills for the
organization of the Territories of Missouri, Arkan
sas, New Mexico and Utah, the elective franchise
was restricted (o citizens. Mr. Stephens contended
from the review of the action of the Government
that the weight of precedent was fn favor of alien
suffrage, and that the principle was older than the
Constitution itself, although Mr. Hill had contend
ed that it was originated by Mr. Buchanan, In 1847.
He farther asserted that there was no danger in
this principle to the South—that aliens are not so
much to be dreaded as.Aboliuon'istB, that the for
eign vote fn the last Presidential election was cast
(an overwhelming majority of it,) against Fremont,
and that foreigners would always act with the
Democratic party and with the South, because their
rights were dependent upon the maintenance and
strict construction of the Constitution to which the
Democratic party and the South were pledged.
Upon the subject of squatter sovereignty,
which the American party asserted was recog
nized by a portion of the Democratic party in
their construction of the Kansas net, Mr. Steph
ens said that there was no difference in the
construction given to that bill by its northern
and southern supporters; that whatever differ
ence existed between them upon the doctrine of
squatter sovereignty, originated in a difference
of construction, not of the bill, but of the Con
stitution. Some contended that Congress an,
der the Constitution, bad the power to legislate
upon the subject of slavery in the Territories,
and having it, had grahted it to the people of
the.Territory. Others denied that Congress had
this power, and of course, denying that jt had
it, denied that it was granted to the people by
»the bill. 'The question was one of constitution
al construction,-and the Supreme Court had de
termined it in the Dred Scott case, by declaring
that Congress did not have the power to legis
late slavery into or out of a Territory, and
coaid not grant it. Squatter sovereignty was
now a constitutional impossibility. Mr. Steph
ens, in tbia connection, referred to a resolution,
one of a series introduced by the American
candidate for Governor, Mr.* Hill, at a public
meeting in LaGrange on the 27 th of June, 1867;
in which jt was declared:
‘ “That what ia. knowp as the *Dred Scott
Decision,’ is but ar judicial affirmance of the
position occupied by the American' party ; of
Georgia Iroto ihe beginipg, .and is a direct con
demnation of the Kansas Nebraska, bill, its
plotter* and supporters, as a set of clamorous
agitators, dividing.the coqntry for nothing, and
endangering the Sooth rad Union for' voter,
•and only votes.” • * ig* ■ ' '
He tho«»d tftbj' 1 " ^ ^ J ' ‘
thirfresolution, in
tioi^occapiod bv"the American party Trona!.'
begintng. and a direct condemnation 0 fSl
Kansas Nebraska act,” when the fact was tb
it bad taken from that party a pretext, of ouS?
sition to that act, Which it had used indnatP&T
» l ; owed ‘ that Mr. HilUo denoQn! ,
ing the "plotters and supporters df the Kanit,
Nebraska bill, as a set of cl automat agitator?
dividing the country for nothing, and endanvil’
ing the South and Union for votes, and o*,]
votes,” had denounced almost the entire SouZ
ern ^presentation in Congress, the peopla 0 f
tbe Squib, the people of Georgia, and ifc
.\merican party of this "State. Southern
representatives In Congress, with very fs We j
ceplions, voted for the act. * Mr. Hill haddt*
nounced them. The people of the South h»d
sustained those who voted for it, and repodia.
ted those who opposg^ it. Mr. Hill had da
nounced them. The people of Georgia hid.
through their Legislature, instructed their Ri?
resentatives to vote for it Mr. Hill had de!
nounced them, and lastly the Atneriaan party
of Georgia in State Council at Macon, onth,
27th June, 185.5, had^endorsed the act, declar,
ed lhat opposition to its principles in relation to
slavery was hostility to the constitutional righu i 1
of the Sputh, and that any one opposing it w«t [']
unfit to be recognized as a member of the An*, II
rican party, and Mr. Hill had denounced tha
party in denouncing the "plotters and support. I I
ers of the Kansas Nebraska act, as a set of
clamorous agitators, dividing tbe country fq P
nothing? and endangering tbe South and Union
for votes, and only votes.”
Important from Kansas—Change in the
Free-State Policy.
We copy the following correspondence ofth*
St. Louis Democrat (abolition) as the only full
account at hand of the Grasshopper Falls Coo. 1*1
vention :—
Lawrence, Aug. 28,1857.—There was not
a very large attendance at the Grasshopper j
Convention. G. W. Smith was elected Pregj.
dent. Mr, Miller, Mr. Elliott, of the Fre«
State, Dr. Kob, of the Zeitung, and Mr. Ron,
of the Topeka Tribune, were elected Secrets* *
ries.
Messrs. Conway, Foster, Philipps, and Red. 1
path, opposed the policy of voting at the October ;
election under the bogus law.
Gen. Lane, Gov. Robinson, and Judge Smith
.spoke in favor of participating in it.
JIM LANE 8FEAKS.
Lane was shouted for by nearly every one.—
Lane is one of the most origrnul characters in
Christendom. I feel disposed to stop and gite
a sketch.of his personal appearance, bat the Sj
length of my report forbids. He is very popu
lar and powerful with the party now—more to
than ever before.
Gen. Lane said he felt in the position of i ^
man who was imprisoned for a crime of which
he was not guilty. There was only one way
of escaping from his cell, and lhat was by a .
sluice which carried off the filth of the prison. ‘1
To get out in that way he had to lie dawn fethi
filth and crawl out. He did it. One of lbs
jailors saw him and tried to stop him. But tbs j
prisoner threw filth at him and drove him off.—
He escaped. This wa9 what be proposed to do
now.
Wo proposed to lie down rn their filthy law!
and bespatter them with them! If we could J
escape in this way he was in favor of doing it, \
He differed with Conway about the cbsrtc*
ter of this meeting. If this was a frev Suit
meeting he begged it to be distinctly understood
that.he was not there. [Laughter.j He had
no doubt that the free*State men had a hand- j
some majority—a working majority—here;but
it was a meeting of the people, irrespective of
party* distinctions [There were three hundred
persons present, and probably not three pro-
slavery # nlon ] The free Slate pafty, as a par
ty, had nothing to do with their proceedings.
There were good free State men in Kansas-
prudent men—fathers of families—who r before
resorting to fight for their rights, before pfimg- j
ing the territory in war again, were desirous of >
trying the ballot box once, even in spite of tbe
disadvantages we had to struggle under. H« 5
hoped that they would be perntitted one oppor- 1
tuoity; and if wd failed through fraud, then he
had no doubt they would be willing to put their
muskets to their shoulders, with the most radi- j
al men in Kansas, ( Applause.) As the utmoit J
unanimity was necessary for success, he hoped -1
that those who opposed this policy would waive ]
their personal prejudice’s and unite in October
for the good of the common cause. (Applause-)
Gov. Robinson took the most ultfa positron
in favor of the new policy—denying, however,
that it implied an abandonment of the Topeks
constitution.
■GOV. ROniNSbN’8 SPEECH.
He began by declaring himself a Topeks
constitution man. • He supposed no one would
doubt that fact. His glory and scrip were sll
in favor of it. If what he said, therefore,
peared to be against the Topeka constitution,
he supposed it would not bo understood.
He did not understand this report (r$coo*
mending the slave policy) as anj* backing out
from the free State policy.
He wished to begin his speech by laying
down the proposition that politics were ncce»« J
sarily corrupt, and that if men were so very
good that they would never yield their principle j
they, were not fit to engage in politics. . 1
He did not consider, he said, that we necei*
sarily sacrificed the State government by * n *
gaging in the territorial election. We would
have had a right to establish a state government,
even if we had carried the ’territorial legislator!
on the 30th March, 1856; and had. held it
since. A state government and a terril° r ^
government were not necessarily rivals. H*
cited the case of Minnesota, where members of
the territorial legislature are members alio of
the constitutional convention. It was nece»»*'
ry to disahose our minds of the idea that tl#7 |
were antagonistic.
The battery at Leeompton was playing 08 ■
ua. It would keep annoying oa just as long* 1 p
we permitted the enemy (o bold it. If we oil*
not take it out of their hands without stepp^T
from our position, be was in favor of steppe ^
aside then. Even if jt is an illegal and irreg* - a
lar battery, be is still in favor of silencing d-*"
It is pot the less annoying on that accounh-j
As for inconsistency, he cared nothing for
.there was no coopmon sense in it. So’cnoeho*
thf* subject of voting. ...
In .reference to Col.* Phillips’ motion, frMgjy
Suppose we get possession of the territorial g®v
ernment, what then f. I do pot cite, what
I do not,.want to'come out beie to say
wfl| do. I say, leave it to the men. afwf
elect them, and if we do not get men into op
who are trite toibe party, let us punish to**-
-We cannot yet put our Stater'
operation. The people are not Willi >g to •*)
put it. in operation in spite of the Culled Stȣ
troop*. Let us, therefore, take possernoitV
Other government. _ li.'eil
I believe we can do it. I believe
elaet a delegate, too. He said that the rfej’”'