The Wyandotte Convention: an addressMartin, John Alexander
History
The Wyandotte Convention: an address
Martin, John Alexander
Kansas -- Politics and government -- 1854-1861; Kansas Territory. Constitutional Convention (1859)
At once Mr. Slough addressed the Chair, and after warmly eulogizing the
general features of the Constitution, pronouncing it "a model
instrument," he formally announced that political objections impelled
himself and his Democratic associates to decline attaching their
signatures to it. These objections he stated at length. They were,
briefly: the curtailment of the boundaries of the State; the large
Legislative body provided for; the exclusion of Indians made citizens of
the United States, from the privilege of voting; the registry of voters
at the election on the Constitution; the refusal to exclude free negroes
from the State; and the apportionment.
This action of the Democratic members had been foreshadowed for several
days, but it was, nevertheless, something of a surprise. The Republicans
understood that several of the Democrats had earnestly opposed such a
course, and hoped that some of them would be governed by their own
convictions, rather than by the mandate of their caucus. For a few
moments after Mr. Slough concluded, the Convention sat, hushed and
expectant. But no other Democratic member rose. It was evident that the
caucus ruled. Then Judge Thacher, the President _pro tem._, addressed
the Chair, and in a speech of remarkable vigor and eloquence, accepted
the gauge of battle thrown down. "Upon this Constitution," he declared,
"we will meet our opponents in the popular arena. It is a better, a
nobler issue than even the old Free State issue. They have thrown down
the gauntlet; we joyfully take it up." He then proceeded to defend, with
great earnestness and power, the features of the Constitution objected
to by Mr. Slough. "The members of the Convention," he asserted, "have
perfected a work that will be enduring." The Constitution, he affirmed,
would "commend itself to the true and good everywhere, because through
every line and syllable there glows the generous sunshine of liberty."
It was and should be, he declared:
"Like some tall cliff, that lifts its awful form,
Swells from the vale, and midway leaves the storm;
Though round its breast the rolling clouds shall spread,
Eternal sunshine settles on its head."
Read in the light of subsequent history, these declarations appear
almost prophetic.
SIGNING THE CONSTITUTION.
The twilight shadows were gathering about Wyandotte when this debate
closed, and the Convention proceeded to vote on Mr. Hutchinson's
resolution, which was adopted by 34 ayes to 13 nays—one Republican and
four Democrats being absent. The roll was then called, and the
Constitution was signed by all the Republican members except one, Mr.
Wright, of Nemaha, who was absent, sick. The work of the Convention was
completed, and after voting thanks to its officers, it adjourned without
date.
TWO MISTAKES.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account