Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-10-11

But the Free State Convention, by repudiat-
ing the Legislature and appointing another
day for election, took the wind completely out
Of their sails and the party, knowing the
political character Of the next House OF hep:
reseotatiycs. is already mourning over its exs
pected defeat. Having made the work other.
wise sure, the Legislature actually passed
laws which will render the Importation of
foreign votes more difficult than before; and,
still farther, poll tax of one dollar is to be
paid by each voter 1t is apparent that such
an odious tax on the privilege Of voters will
deter many Pro-Slavery men from coming to
the polls.
l am informed that q fund has been raised
in Platte county TO pay this dollar in one or
more precints, but l do not believe that sufi-
Gent money will be raised to pay the tax for
all the Pro-Savery men-hence, Iapprehend
the Pro-Slavery vote will be small. I amin
formed that arrangements are being made for
introducing three hundred Missouri voters into
this county, to vote in Delaware precint
Although my authority is excellent, l cannot
believe that such short-sighted disastrous
policy will be pursued again. 1t will certain.
ly kill the party, if it had any life left after
its previous suicide.
You are aware that an attempt has been
made by Douglas men to organize National
Democratic party in this Territory. The
effort entirely failed. Slavery or no Slavery
was the. only issue practicable here. Mr..
Delahay, the leader of this party, and the
editor of its organ, had just returned from
visit to Illinois; and, much to the surprise Of
many. he and his friends have suddenly united
with our forces of the Free State movement.
So have others, who are believed to actu nder
the influence Of Senator Douglass.
A Convention has been called by the Free
State men, to meet at Topeka, which is now
in session, to take preliminary steps on the
subject of State organization, and the ad-
mission Of Kansas to this Union. The leading
Kansas Nebraska men were appointed dele
gates to this Convention, and, with the zeal of
new converts they travelled most of the night
to reach the Convention in season.
1t is openly maintained that it is the wish
of Douglas and other Democratic leaders that
the vexed question Of Kansas should be set
tied before the next Presidential election. Col.
Lane, now citizen of this Territory, who killed
himself in Indiana by voting in the last Con-
gross for the Kansas bill, has Unidentified him
self with the Free State party here. He
affirms that Douglas would make any sacrifice
to secure the immediate admission Of Kansas
to the Union as Free State; and, in his
opinion, it would result in the election of the
Senator Of Illinois to the Presidency. 1t is
manifest that the question of Kansas can only
be ultimately settled in favor of Freedom. 1t
is claimed that two-thirds, or even three
fourths of the settlers are in favor of free
State. Democrats here hold that the saliva
ton Of the Democratic party requires that
this question be settled Immediately, and that
this alone will secure the Democratic party
from defeat in the next Presidential election.
With this question settled, it is expected that
the honors and spoils of Office will continue in
its hands and the evidence probably is, that
these views originated with the party leaders
abroad.
The argument in favor of a State organiza-
ton, which will prevail among the people, is,
that it is impossible for American feemen to
live under the present anti.republican and ty-
rannical Government Of the Territory, and
that the organization of a State affords the
most easy, legal, and peaceful solutioa~pf our
difficulties. Ii Congress does not at once
admit tho Territory as State, it is intended
in some way to get lid Of the Territorial Gov
erDment, and 60 under . State organization,
as California did, till such tims as Congress
sees ft to receive us.
From present indications, in the early part
of the next session of Congress you may look
for the appearance of Kansas with Consti-
tuition, asking for admission to the Union as
free State The objection of her admission,
on the ground of irregularity OF proceeding
will be met by the example of California the
objection on the ground Of population too
small for State, will be answered by refer.
ence to Michigan and Florida. The men who
will assume to lead in this movement are
Kausas-Nebraska politicians and they will
introduce stringent black-law principles into
the organic law, unless they arc deferred by
tho fear that such provisions would cause
Congress to reject the application for adms.
sion. l do not think they will fear this.
This movement frightens the Pro-Slavery
party. A prominent member of it lately was
heard to remark that the party was beaten
| am also informed that Gen. Whitefeld the
Pro-Slavery candidate for Congress, who il
stumpiDg the Territory, has suddenly neglect
ed his appointment, and gone in haste to To-
peka, to oppose the objects of the Convention
and thwart the purpose of State organiza'
ton. His efforts will not be effectual. He
is not popular candidate in his own party
One of the Pro-Slavery papers, previous te
his nomination, asserted that he was put for.
ward by Missouri influence, and affirmed thai
the people Of Kansas could nominate theil
own candidates.
The LIST District Court is slit ng in town
Judge Lecompete prcsides. The case of Nc
Crea is in the hands of the grand jury. Nc
Crea had engaged Col. Lane as his counsel
The Legislature has required that attorneys
before they can practice in the courts, mus
. swear to support the Fugitive Slave Law, thu
E Kansas Bill, and the Laws of the Territory
The last mentioned laws have been published
and Col Lane and other codnsellors refused
to swear to laws that they had never seen, anG
were consequently excluded from the bar. Il
the grand jury find bill, l presume McCrea
will not be tried this term. '-
Yours, truly, JOHN Ii. BYRD,