The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1855-12-15
From the New York Tribune.
New Consultation Of Kansas.


A Convention of Delegates which recent
ly assembled at Topeka, Kansas, to form 9
State Constitution and ask for admission as
one of the sovereign States of this Confede-
racy, concluded its work on the morning Of
the 11th inst. The Constitutioa, as whole
has not yet come to hand, but the extended
reports of our special correspondent give a
good idea of its general and more important
features.
The question Of paramount interest, as
our readers are well aware, was that of Slave
ry; and we regret to say that the action o1
the Convention on this subject was not ex-
actly what the friends of impartial freedom
had right to expect from a body of men
elected for the avowed purpose of forming
a Free State. After adopting Bill of Rights
which declares that "Slavery shall not exist
in this State," the Convention not only re-
cognize the existence of Slavery in the Ter
ritory but permit its continuance till the 4th
of July, 1857, thus exhibiting striking dis
regard for the "self-evident" Truth proclaim
ed by very respectable body Of men on the
4th of July, 1776, and a tender solicitude
for the interests of the "Border Rufians,
which the circumstances of the case seem
hardly to have demanded at their hands
However we shall heartily rejoice to see Kan
sas Free State after July, 1857, if it can
not be made so before. 1t is very clear how
ever, that the battle of Freedom is yet to be
fought there. Atchison, Stringfellow & Co.,
will require deal of very close watching
The facts appear to be that that concern has
not been without its representatives in the
Free State Convention, prominent among
whom was the presiding officer of the body.
Col. James II. Lane, proposed to continue
Slavery five years, just to convince the Bowie
Knife and Revolver party that the Free State
Convention was not composed of band oi
fanatics. Magnanimous Lane
An attempt on the part Of Col. Lane and
others like him to induce the Convention to
endorse the Squatter Sovereignty of the Kan
sas Nebraska bill, under the pressure of prom
ises of rewards and threats of political ami
hilation, came very near succeeding, and al
one time, in thin house actually received q
majority of the votes; but by the determin-
ed stand taken by Mr.. Robinson and other
friends of Freedom the vote was reconsider
ed and the dodge effectually killed:
Among the provisions of the Constitution
as finally adopted is one fixing the boundary
of the State in accordance with those laid
down in the Kansas Nebraska Bill, extend
ing west to the summit of the Rocky Noun
tains. Married women are to be secured iI
their right of individual property obtained
either before or after marriage, and an equa
right in the control and education of the
children. In prosecutions for Libel, the
truth may be given in evidence and deemed
justification. A State University and Nor
NAL Schools shall be established. The civil
lied and friendly Indians may become citi
zens of the State. Judges are to be elected
by the People. Topeka is to be the Capita
temporarily, till the Legislature shall deter
mine a site for permanent location of tn
State buildings.
The Constitution is to be submitted to
direct vote of the people for ratification OF
the 18th of December, and if adopted al
election for Governor, Lieut.. Governor, Sec
retary of State, Treasurer, Auditor, Judg
of the Supreme Court, Attorney General
and members of the General Assembly,
to be held on the third Tuesday in January
1856.