Page:The Federal and state constitutions v2.djvu/585

1222 Kansas westwardly; 2d. Commencing at some point on the Missouri River or Missouri State line, and traversing Central Kansas westwardly; 3d. Commencing at some point on Missouri River, and traversing Northern Kansas westwardly; 4th. Commencing at some point on the Missouri River, and running southerly in the direction of the Gulf of Mexico: Provided, That should the alternate sections along the lines of said railroads be disposed of, an equal number of sections shall be selected from any other public lands contiguous to said railroads; said lands to be reserved and conveyed to the State, for the purpose of aiding in the construction of said railroads, under such rules and restrictions as may hereafter be prescribed by law. The Congress of the United States, in conjunction with the proper authorities of this State, may adopt the necessary measures for carrying the several provisions herein contained into effect.

We, the people of the Territory of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, by our delegates in convention assembled, having the right of admission into the Union as one of the United States of America, consistent with the Federal Constitution, and by virtue of the treaty of cession by France to the United States of the province of Louisiana, believing that the time has arrived when our present political condition should cease and the right of self-government be asserted, in order to secure to ourselves and our posterity all the rights of life, liberty, and property ; and the free pursuit of happiness, ordain the following constitution as the organic law of a free and independent State, by the name and style of the State of Kansas, bounded as follows, to wit: Beginning at a point on the western boundary of the State of Missouri where the thirty-seventh parallel of north latitude crosses the same; thence west on said parallel to the eastern boundary of New Mexico; thence north on said boundary to latitude thirty-eight; thence, following said boundary westward to the eastern boundary of the Territory of Utah, on the summit of the Rocky Mountains; thence northward on said summit to the fortieth parallel of latitude; thence east on said parallel to the western boundary of the State of Missouri; thence south with the western boundary of said State to the place of beginning.

All men are by nature equally free and independent, and have certain inalienable rights, among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing, and protecting property, and seeking and obtaining happiness and safety; and the right of all men to the control of their persons exists prior to law, and is inalienable.

All political power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and are instituted for their equal protection and benefit, and they alone have the right at all times to alter, reform, or abolish their form of government in such manner as they may think proper. No special privileges or