KANSAS. be men of ability, patriotism, and character, to be devoted to their country, and unmoved by sectionalism or fanaticism. On the fifteenth day of December, the constitution was referred to the people for their acceptance, and, pursuant to the proclamation of the executive committee, the people met in their respective precincts ; those in favor of the constitution deposing a ballot on which was printed “ constitution,” those opposed depositing one on which was “ no constitution.” The constitution was ratified by the qualified voters, scarcely a vote against it; and although the entire vote was not polled, the reasons were, not a want of interest in favor of the movement, but because an invasion of a large armed force from Missouri had just occurred, and was still threatening, which kept many on military duty, and thereby deprived them of the privilege of voting. Your memoralists deny the imputation that this movement of the people of Kansas was led and supported by a faction, and are prepared to substantiate, by the most reliable testimony, the facts herein set forth, and thereby prove that from first to last it has been the movement of the people, and not of a party, faction, or section; but few opposing it, except those holding office under Executive appointment, or by virtue of an election by a foreign and hostile people. The movement has been as unanimous as any important movement in the history of the country, and in it has been manifest a determination strengthened by a unanimity which cannot be baffled by the assaults of our enemies. On the second day of October last, the Territory was invaded for the fourth time, and about fifteen hundred votes polled by non-residents. This infringement upon the ballot-box was under the operation of laws passed by the self-styled Territorial legislature. But the invasions at the several elections for the purpose of voting are not all. At the election for ratifying the constitution, bands of armed invaders not wishing to vote themselves, and determined that the actual settlers should not, destroyed the ballot boxes, and prevented voting in Leavenworth, Kickapoo^nd other places—this being one cause of the smallness of the vote on the constitution. Also, at the election for State officers and members of the general assembly, the settlers were not permitted to vote in Leavenworth ; and the judges of election having authority, postponed the election, a few of the voters going to Easton. Our enemies, determined that the right of elective franchise should not be exercised by our people, assailed the ballot-box and when the citizens resolved to protect themselves in this sacred right, an engagement endued. On their return to Missouri from Easton, the invaders captured R. P. Brown, a member elect of the house of representatives of the State of Kansas, one of our own citizens, a man of unimpeachable character and unflinching courage, and brutally murdered him with knives and hatchets. But other invasions than those for the purpose of voting have been made upon this people. Late in November, about two thousand armed men, with seven pieces of artillery, made an attack upon the town of Lawrence, and held it in a state of siege tor about two weeks. They made the attack without any provocation or illegal act on the part of the inhabitants
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