APPENDIX. 
859 
Topeka, on the 19th day of September, 1855, then and there to cor tider 
and determine upon all subjects of public interest, and particularly upon 
that having reference to the speedy formation of a state constitution, with 
an intention of an immediate application to be admitted as a state into the 
Union of the ‘ United States of America.’ ” 
This was the first public action taken by the people in their sovereign 
capacity upon this subject, and all parties and sects participated. 
The next action was at a party convention held at Big Springs on the 5th 
and 6th of September. A committee on state organization was appointed, 
and made the following report: 
“ Your committee, after considering the propriety of taking preliminary 
steps to framing a constitution, and applying for admission as a state into 
the Union, beg leave to report that, under the present circumstances, they 
deem the movement untimely and inexpedient.” 
The following was offered as a substitute for the report : 
“ Resolved , That this convention, in view of its recent repudiation of the 
acts of the so-called Kansas Legislative Assembly, respond most heartily to 
the call made by the people’s convention of the 15th ult, for a Delegate Con¬ 
vention of the people of Kansas Territory, to be held at Topeka on the 19th 
Inst., to consider the propriety of the formation of a state constitution, and 
such other matters as may legitimately come before it.” This substitute 
was agreed to. 
Thus it appears that this party convention simply approved of the action 
of the citizens’ convention at Lawrence, and let the matter rest. 
A Delegate Convention, irrespective of party, was held at Topeka, Sept. 
19th and 20th, agreeable to the call of the mass convention of the 15th of 
August, and the following preamble and resolution were unanimously 
adopted : 
Whereas the Constitution of the United States guarantees to the people 
of this republic the right of assembling together in a peaceable manner for 
their common good, to establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide 
for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the bless¬ 
ings of liberty to themselves and their posterity ; and whereas the citizens 
of Kansas Territory were prevented from electing members of a Legislative 
Assembly, in pursuance of a proclamation of Gov. Beeder, on the thirtieth 
of March last, by invading forces from foreign states coming into the terri¬ 
tory, and forcing upon the people a Legislature of non-residents, and oth¬ 
ers, inimical to the interests of the people of Kansas Territory, defeating 
the object of the organic act, in consequence of which the territorial gov¬ 
ernment became a perfect failure, and the people were left without any legal 
government, until their patience has become exhausted, and endurance 
ceases to be a virtue ; and they are compelled to resort to the only remedy 
left — that of forming a government for themselves ; therefore, 
<c Resolved , By the people of Kansas Territory, in Delegate Convention 
