Page:The History of Slavery and the Slave Trade.djvu/812

 valuable rights and privileges upon this territory, and provided means to pay the expenses of the convention; while this bill does neither.

If we are disposed to avail ourselves of the wisdom of the past, we will pause some time before we throw off our territorial condition, under present circumstances, by the adoption of a state government.

The state of Michigan remained a territory for five years after she had the requisite population, and so with other states; and when they were admitted, they were strong enough in all the elements of material wealth to be self-sap- porting. And hence they knocked at the door of the Union with that manly confidence which spoke of equality and self-reliance.

California was admitted under peculiar and extraordinary circumstances. Her rich mines of the precious metals attracted a teeming population to her shores, and her isolated position from the parent government, with her super- abundant wealth, at once suggested the experiment of self-government; and at the time of her state constitution, ratified by the vote of the people, the pop- ulation of California entitled her to two representatives in congress.

I observe by the message of the governor of Minnesota, that the popula- tion of that thriving territory exceeds 180,000. The taxable property amounts to between thirty and thirty-five millions of dollars. And in view of these facts, and of the large increase of agricultural products, cash capital, etc., the governor favors a change from a territorial to a state government. To this end he suggests that a convention be called to form a constitution; that an act be passed for the taking of a census in April, and for such other preliminary steps as are necessary; and that if the constitution be "ratified by the people" at the next October election, it shall be presented to congress in December fol- lowing.

These facts furnish an additional argument why the constitution should be submitted to the people, as the majority, preferring a territorial government, and thinking a state government premature, may desire to avail themselves of that opportunity to vote against any state constitution whatever.

Burthened with heavy liabilities; without titles to our lands; our public buildings unfinished; our jails and court-houses not erected; without money even to pay the expenses of a convention; and just emerging from the disas- trous effects of a bitter civil feud; it seems unwise for a few thousand people, scarcely sufficient to make a good county, to discard the protecting and foster- ing care of a government, ready to assist us with her treasures and to protect us with her armies. Governor of Kansas Territory.

Notwithstanding the veto of the governor, the bill passed both branches of the assembly by an almost unanimous vote, and without discussion. The pro- slavery party now exulted in the certain prospect of making Kansas a slave state. The time of the meeting of the convention was fixed for September. It was stated to Gov. Geary, as a part of the plan, that a constitution would be framed in which no reference would be made to the subject of slavery; but,