Charles Lawrence Robinson

“ Now, when certain persons in the South have siezed upon the revenues, forts ships, postoffice, mints, arms and army and navy stores, waged war upon the United States troops, set up an Independent Government, and bid defiance to all law, the position of the authorities have been simply that of non-resistance. Two independent and hostile Governments cannot long exist at the same time over the same territory without conflict, and either the Confederate States of the South or the Federal Government must succumb, or civil war is inevitable. ”

“ It is customary for Congress to pay the expenses of making one Constitution in all new States, and as it was owing to no fault or action of the people that Kansas was not admitted under the first or third Constitution, but to the failure of Congress to respond to the popular sentiment in the Territory, the General Government should pay the expense incurred in framing them.
The attempt to fasten upon Kansas an institution distasteful to a large majority of the people, in direct violation of the letter and spirit of the Organic Act, caused much suffering and pecuniary loss. ”

“ The future none can predict Should matters progress as for a few months past, and coercion be decried as at present, not a prominent seaboard State will remain in the Union, and not a law of the United States will be enforced anywhere. Our Government, once regarded as a power in the earth, will become a hissing and a by-word among the Nations---a stench in the nostrils of all men. ”

“ It is a serious detriment to the revenue and prosperity of any State, to have within it large tracts of land not subject to taxation, and more especially to a new State. Should Kansas relinquish the right to tax the Public Lands, a fair equivalent should be granted. While no exorbitant demands should be made, and the most friendly relations to the Federal Government be cherished, it is the right and duty of the Legislature to ask such terms as are just and equitable. ”

“ Although the past year has been one of adversity to our people, yet, with stern integrity and mutual co-operation of the several departments of the Government, together with a firm reliance upon that Providence which has thus far sustained and directed us, and whose promise that seed time and harvest shall not fail, inspires us with hope and courage in the darkest hour, we may confidently look forward to a happy and prosperous future for our new State. ”

“ The citizen who is taxed to defray the expenses of a Government has a right to full protection to life and property, and the power that assumes the Government of a people is responsible for the peace of the same. It is notorious that the peace of Kansas was not preserved by the Government, but on the contrary in many instances the officers were the aggressors. ”

“ The people of Kansas, while they are willing to fulfill their Constitutional obligations toward their brethren in the sister States to the letter, even to the yielding of the "pound of flesh," cannot look upon the destruction of the fairest and most prosperous Government on earth with indifference. ”

“ Instead, however, of plenty, and consequent prosperity, many of our citizens have been recipients of foreign charity. For the prompt and generous relief afforded by States and individuals, a suitable acknowledgment should be made by the Legislature, and it is proper to inquire if our State is not able to provide for its own poor in future. No spirited and energetic people will be recipients of charity when able to procure their own subsistence. ”

“ Kansas has not only had no Representative in Congress, but the control of the Territorial Government has been with the Federal Administration. While we have furnished our full proportion of revenue to the Federal Treasury, without representation, it is not too much to ask that the expenses of the Territorial Government should be met by that Treasury. In the Act of Admission Congress rejected the ordinance attached to the Constitution, and proposed, instead, to give the State the 16th and 36th sections in each township, for Schools ”

“ The School Lands, by the Constitution, cannot be sold, unless authorized by a vote of the people at a general election, although they are subject to valuation and lease for any number of years, not exceeding twenty-five, at a rate established by law. It is important to obtain a revenue from these lands as soon as may be, without sacrifice, and some legislation is demanded on this subject. In addition to a provision for leasing School Lands, it may be desirable to submit proposition to the people to authorize the disposal of a limited amount of the most valuable land. ”

“ As all laws or parts of laws in force in the Territory, at the time of our admission, not inconsistent with the Constitution, remain in force until they expire or shall be repealed, it may not be necessary or expedient for the Legislature to act upon all the subjects above enumerated at its first session. It is made the duty of the first Legislature, however, to provide for an apportionment of the members of the Legislature, and for submitting the question of permanent location of the Capital to a vote of the people. ”

“ The past year has been one of unprecedented drouth and consequent scarcity in Kansas. Our farmers, encouraged by the bountiful return for labor bestowed upon the soil in years past, had an unusual quantity of land under cultivation. With an ordinary supply of rain, a large amount of produce would have been raised for export, and no people would have been more highly favored than our own. ”

“ Should the Legislature accept the proposition, and exempt the Public Lands from taxation, on condition that the expenses of the several Constitutional Conventions, the awards of the Claim Commissioners, and the indebtedness of the Territory, should be paid, and a grant of money and land for public institutions, buildings and railroads should be made, equal to grants made to other States, these conditions would doubtless be readily acceded to by Congress. ”

“ This Nation occupies a very remarkable position before the civilized world. It has heretofore been prompt and efficient in putting down treason and rebellion, and the whole force of the army and navy has been called into requisition at once whenever danger threatened. ”

“ If the State has sufficient credit, it would be better to use it for the relief of her citizens, should it be necessary, than longer live upon the generosity of others. Seed has already been furnished in abundance, for spring planting, and by the first of June the stock that abounds upon our prairies will be suitable for food ”