New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-11-14
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

TOPEKA, X. T., Thursday Oct, 70, 800.
Yesterday evening / arrived in Topeka. The
Convention had been called On Tuesdiy, the 23d,
but as the building to be occupied had not yet
been got in comfortable order, owing to the Sc
verify of the weather, it adjourned until yester-
day. The Hon. J. A. Wakefield had been called
to the chair. On Wednesday the Convention met,
and organized by electiDg Col. j. II. Lane presi-
dent, Samuel c. Smith secretary, and Charles A.
Fotter assistant secretary. The president OF the
Convention (Col. Lance was a member of the last
Congress from Indiana, and voted for the Kansas
Nebraska bill. Like several others Of the North.
ern Congressional delegation who were Induced to
vote for that by the very specious pretext
of popular sovereignty, he deprecates the intro
ducton of Slavery into the Territory, and has de-
cared in public speeches in different parts of the
Territory that he never would have given his vote
for that mea sure had he thought that such iniqui
ties would have been practiced under it. He is
now resident of the Territory, and actively en-
gagged in securing to Kansas the freedom which was
once so sacredly guaranteed to it. He makes very
good presiding officer. The attention of the con
vention was occupied yesterday in the business of
organizing and this forenoon also, the appointment
of committees and other similar business of an in
troductory character has occupied the attention
of the convention. The intelligent character of
the settlers of Kansas, which will make very
favorable comparison with the citizens of any of
the States of the West, had prepared me for a
very high order Of talent among those who were
thus to represent them, and must say that the sp
pearance of the delegates fully meets my expe,ta-
tons | have been nquiring into the basis of their
representation and will lay the evidence of it be-
fore the readers of THE TRIBUNE as soon as
have fully and correctly obtained it, l have now
learned enough to know that there never has been
as full an expression Of the popular sentiment in
the Territory as this exhibits except, perhaps, the
election of Reeder, which was about the same
The proclamation was circulated and responded to
everywhere and polls were opened in all localities
and legally mapaged-localiteS having an equa'
chance of representation, which has been ne
elected BY all of those who have hitherto eLdes-
youred to get the popular sentiment OF the Terri
tory. Those who may fancy that the present
assemblsge at Topeka is merely the exponent of
one idea in the Territory, or that it is instgated
70 ts u! dlu bOcltlittJ OF Uj
any political organization whatever, ought to
step into the hall and observe the men and
the proceedings in order to dsspate their
illusion. Here We have men from many different
sections of the Union, men who have differed
with each other on political questions hitherto
before the people, and who still differ on questions
of general and local policy, but who appear to be
impelled by unanimous determination on one
point and that is that the policy of the Free States
shall be engrafted on the constitution Of Kansas,
and that the freedom once guaranteed to her 90
sacredy shall be restored to her, and be the guar
antee for the future welfare and prosperity Of the
Territory. II must not be supposed that this is
solely one idea" organization. There is
courteous and prudent care manifested at every
step Of the proceedings. Those assembled here
appear to be fully aware Of all that is expected of
them, I believe they are fully competent for
their duty. Whatever interest tie question Of
Freedom and Slavery may excite, i. will not pre-
vent deep interest on all matters before them.
There is evidently a very healthy sentiment of
interest on other general and local matters and as
many other points have been discussed before the
people, the sentiment will be represented, s,d
while il viii add TO the importance of the con-
yention win consume more Of its time. Here
Tie representatives Of the great masses are Assem-
bed Here ls true exponent OF the opinions Of