CONSTITUTION OF KANSAS—1855[1]
preamble
We, the people of the Territory of Kansas, by our delegates in convention assembled, at Topeka, on the 23d day of October, A. D. 1855, and of the independence of the United States the eightieth year, 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, in order to secure to ourselves and our posterity the enjoyment of all the rights of life, liberty, and property, and the free pursuits of happiness, do mutually agree with each other to form ourselves into 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; and do ordain and establish the following constitution and bill of rights for the government thereof:
Article I
bill of rights
Section 1. All men are by nature 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.
Sec. 2. All political power is inherent in the people. Government is instituted for their equal protection and benefit; and they have the right to alter, reform, or abolish the same whenever they may deem it necessary; and no special privileges or immunities shall ever be granted that may not be altered, revoked, or repealed by the general assembly.
Sec. 3. The people have the right to assemble together, in a peaceable manner, to consult for their common good, to instruct their representatives, and to petition the general assembly for the redress of grievances.
Sec. 4. The people have the right to bear arms for their defence and security; but standing armies in time of peace are dangerous to
- ↑ This constitution was adopted at a convention which met at Topeka October 23, 1855, and completed its labors November 2, 1855. It was claimed that it was submitted to the people of Kansas and ratified December 15, 1855, receiving 1,731 votes against 46.
