(From the Archives of The New York Times)
The New Kansas Bill.
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The New Bill Reported by Senator Douglas for the Government of Kansas. In The Senate Of The United States June 30, 1856.
Mr. Douglas, from the Committee on Territories, to whom was re-committed the bill (S. 172) "to authorize the people of the Territory of Kansas to form a Constitution and State Government, preparatory to their admission into the Union, when they have the requisite population," and several amendments proposed thereto, submitted a report, accompanied by the following bill, which was read twice, considered as in Committe of the whole, and postponed until to-morrow: ..."
"...SEC. 18. And be it further enacted, That inasmuch as the Constitution of the United States and the organic act of said Territory has secured to the inhabitants thereof certain inalienable rights, of which they cannot be deprived by any legislative enactment, therefore no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust; no law shall be in force or enforced in said Territory respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or of the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and petition for the redress of grievances; the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated; and no warrant shall issue but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized; nor shall the rights of the people to keep and bear arms be infringed. No person shall beheld to answer for a capital or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation. In all criminal prosecution the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury of the district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process of obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defence. The privilege of habeas corpus shall not be suspended unless when in case of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require it. In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by jury shall be otherwise reexamined in any Court of the United States than according to the rules of the common law. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusualpunishment inflicted.
"SEC. 19. And be it further enacted, That the following propostions be, and the same are hereby, offered to the said convention of the people of Kansas for their free acceptance or rejection, which, if accepted by the convention, shall be obligatory on the United States and upon the said State of Kansas, to wit: ...."
Hmmmm, that seems quite a bit like the earlier versions of the bill:
Although, the excerpt above was entered into the PUBLIC RECORD for ALL to see at that time. Strange, but there isn't one mention of the word "militia".....
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