Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1856-12-22
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MA |. % y the Fate Of Kapsss !


very naturally recurs and with great frequency, to
the thoughts Of the Southern people This has been
the constant theme Of discussion with the politicians
End with the people Of al parties for nearly three
yea and IL is ridiculous to suppose that the public
mind win be entirely quieted until the question is
and finally settled The whole country
has been thrown into state or continuous excitement
and agitation and the Union itself has been made to
reel and totter-and all about Kansas What, then,
the natural inquiry is, is to become Of Kansas
Who TO become its possessors, its masters, the
controllers ofits destiny The North the South
The abolitonist or the slave-holdert In a word, il
Is important for us to know what the South has
gained, or win gain, by the widespread and perilous
agitation, which the introduction and passage of the
Kansas-Nebraska bill gave rise to, and which has
been kept up in dread intensity to the present mo-
ment
We confess that We were of those who expected to
realize something practically useful to the South from
the repeal Of the Missouri Compromise. We thought,
As we were taught to believe by the journals and
leaders Of the Southern Democracy, that Kansas
would surely be erected into slave State-that the
enactment of the Kansas bill specially designed
TO effect that object-and that even the Northern
Democrats who advocated and voted for it. conceded
and desired thus much for the purpose of restoring
the equilibrium between the North and the South
Such was our view Of the subject, derived from De-
mocratc sources; and it was for this that We
sustained that measure at the outset, aud have de-
Tended and justified it ever since. Otherwise, the
repeal Of the Missouri Compromise amounted, lite
rally, to nothing-was fruitless Of goOd-rutfu only
in mischief If Kansas is now, notwithstanding the
turmoil and excitement and danger through which
the country has passed, to be wrested from the
South, and converted into free State what we ask,
has the South gained by the repeal of the Missouri
Compromised Why have supported that bill, thereby
disturbing the peace, prosperity and progress of the
country, and perlling the very existence of the Go
vernment ITSELF if nothing is to come of itr If, in
stead Of Strengthening Southern institutions and en-
largng their area it is destined in all human proba-
bility to weaken, restrict and cripple thems Such
termination Of this protracted and dangerous
troversy is not what we, at least barganed for We
supposed that the Democracy, on so vital question,
acting in good faith, and would be earnest and
unremitng in their efforts secure to the South the
advantages they predicted would result from the
passage Of the as-Nebraska bill-that is, the
admission Of Kansas into the Union a slave-hold-
ing State.
Such were our notions upon the introduction
braska bill into Congress. But subsequent events
and circumstances have served to dispel this illu-
sion; and now of the opinion that the repeal
of the Missouri Compromise originated not in any
sentiment of devotion to the welfare and honor OF
the South, but in spirit OF wild, selfish, unscrupu
lous partisanshp. 1t is needless, in proof of our
assertion to revert to the Douglas and Toombs Pa
cication bill Of the last session of Congress- which,
IN nil nd of findar nj
principle Of the Kansas Nebraska act flew directly
in the face Of the doctrine of non-interventon and
contemplated the wholesale repeal of all the laws OF
the Kansas Territorial Legislature which had been
passed with exclusive reference afording due and
necessary protection to the slave property OF South
emsrants and settlers. 1t is sufficient to call
public attention to what is Transporting in relation to
Kansas, at the present moment And what do we
witnessr Why, we see the President, in obedience
to the suggestion dictation rather of Gov. Goa
~, Northern man and free State man in the bar
gain removing from Office Judge Lecompte, upon no
other ground than that he is simply obnoxious to
Gov Geary, and persists in maintaining and execu-
ting the laws of the Kansas Legislature. This new
Governor Of President Pierce seems DESTROYS of as
Stunning and exercising the whole authority of the
Territory-Executive, Judicial and Legislative and
to crafty his wishes and let him have his own way.
And hence Judge Lecomptes removal. Here is the
beginning of the process by which Kansas is to be
made free State through the influence and power
of Democratic administration. All officers, Of
whatever character grade who in favor Of pro-
tecting Southern in their ri ghts OF property in
Kansas, are to be thrown overheard by Pierce and
Geary, and those opposed to the establishment Of
f,a hat
II is easily foreseen that il such policy is to pre-.
vail in the administration Of Kansas affairs there is
no earthly prospect or chance Of Southern men ac-
quiring even transient foot.hold there To effect
their exclusion is evidently the primary object Of
the removal OF Judge Lecompte; and that will be
the cherished object too Of the Buchanan admins
tration, under the advice, influence and control Of
the Northern allies Of the Democratic party.
In addition TO this, bill similar to the one pro-
posed by Toombs and Douglas has already been in
troduced in Congress- and will probably become
law at the present session. We are curious to know
what fate it will meet with at the hands Of the Blu
chanan members Of Congress- and what course will
be taken In regard to IL by his friends out Of Con-
gress lift becomes law as we predict il will, then
themuch-boasted doctrine Of Congressional non.nter.
vention, as embodied in the Kansas Nebraska BILL
VIII VeVgfhe ucsn lctteT anticipated fruits
Of that measure, far tho interests Of the South
and the suppression Of agitation are concerned will
turn 10 ashes on our lips
We await action on that bill with no little ankle
". With still greater concern-recollectng all the
promises and all Che noise which the Southern De-
mocrscy have made on the subjective await 10 see
what will be the fate Of Kansas under Democratic
administration sustained by a Democratic majority
in Congress In short, the South is on tiptoc to
learn whether Kansas is 10 be slave or free State
The determination Of this question is solely within
the power Of the triumphant Democracy. The re.
eponsbty is theirs-and theirs, too, the glory il
decided in accordance with the wishes and expecta-
tons OF The Southern people.
A CoRsrcrfoS.--Of course the Wing docs not intend
~ misrcprescui position yet it. article Of yesterday
inpcs that the EagHrer has indulged n abuss Of the
foregnbor population. Our language u susceptible o
such construction. We spoke exclusively Of the par
dcuar colony which the subject Of animadverson
and IN rccted upon the character Of adop
til fnll rtf ofg aT,