8 KANSAS. superintendence of the affairs of the Territory, so far as the organization of a State government is concerned, which committee shall be styled the executive committee of Kansas.” In conformity with the above resolution, the executive committee issued the following proclamation, by J. H. Lane, their chairman : “ Whereas the Territorial government of Kansas as now constituted has proved a failure, squatter sovereignty, under its workings, a miserable delusion—in proof of which it is only necessary to refer to our past history, and our present deplorable condition ; our ballot-boxes have been taken possession of by bands of armed men from foreign States ; our people forcibly driven therefrom; persons attempted to be foisted upon us as members of a so-called legislature, unacquainted with our wants, and hostile to our best interests ; some of them nonresidents of our Territory ; misnamed laws of the most oppressive, insulting, and tyrannical character were passed, and are now attempted to be enforced by the citizens of foreign States ; the right of suffrage taken from us ; we were debarred the privilege of a voice in the election of even the most insignificant officers, and the right of free speech stifled, the muzzling of the press attempted ; and whereas the people of this country have heretofore exercised the right of changing their form of government whenever it becomes oppressive, and have at all times conceded this right to the people of this and all other governments ; and whereas a Territorial government is unknown to the constitution, and is the mere creature of necessity, awaiting the action of the people ; and whereas the debasing character of the slavery in which we now are impels to action, and leaves us as the only legal and peaceful alternative, the immediate establishment of a State government; and whereas the organic act fails in pointing out the course to be adopted in an emergency like ours ; therefore you are requested to meet at your several precincts in said Territory, hereinafter mentioned, on the second Tuesday of October next, the ninth day of the month, and then and there cast your votes for delegates to a convention to meet at Topeka, on the fourth Tuesday of October next, to form a constitution, adopt a bill of rights for the people of Kansas, and take all needful measures for organizing a State government preparatory to the admission of Kansas into the Union as a State.” The elections were holden in the several precincts pursuant to the above proclamation, at which election two thousand eight hundred and sixty-four votes were polled, in conformity with the following qualifications : “ All white male inhabitants, citizens of the United States, or who have declared their intentions before the proper authorities to become such, above the age of twenty-one years, who have had a bona-fide residence in the Territory for the space of thirty days immediately preceding the day of said election, shall be entitled to vote for delegates to said convention.” The elections were conducted strictly in conformity with the above qualifications, and with good order. On the twenty-third day of October, the delegates elected to frame a constitution assembled at Topeka. The constitution framed at this convention speaks for itself. It shows the men of the convention to
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