The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-11-19
Later from Kansas.
Disfranchising the people and forcing upon
them Slavery Constitution.

HALL OF CONVENTION,
Lecompton, Kansas, Oct. 81. }
THE swINpLING SCHEDULE.
The finishing stroke TO this monstrous work
Of iniquity has at last been introduced in
the shape of schedule report. Black, infa-
nous and cunning as have been the various
frauds and treacheries perpetrated on the peo-
pie, they no more come near equalng the
scheme now proposed than the light of the
moon does the full glare of the noon days sun,
bitter and bloody as our past has been, the fu-
perate IN preventing the final consummation of
this hellish iniquity. I do not see any peace
full termination to this terrible drama, and for
one | cannot bid the strife one momenps delay
If it must come ere our liberty is assured.
MAJORITY REPORT.
The schedule committee, consisting Of Col.
Jenkins, of Marshall county, chairman Hen
derson. of the Leavenworth Journal, Hamilton,
of Fort Scott, Boiling of Lecomptcn, and Reid
of the Tecumseh Note Book, made reports
Henderson, Boiling ard Reid signed the m ior-
| ityreport, while Jenkins and Hamilton brought
in a minority report apparently more ultra bit
not so dang erous in reality as the artful SC heme
now proposed. .t.
This first report legalizes all the past acts
! Of the Territorial Legislature and provides for
the security of all vested rights and privileges
granted bv il. It declares that Legislature
to be dead. The Governor, Secretary and 9TH
er Federal officers can remain until superseded
by the action of this Convention. II sets aside
the 2lst day Of December merit for the submits
sion Of the Stare clause alone to cote of the
people BY this they mean if we go into the
election to entrap us. To fully understand
the internal ingenuity here displayed, it is
necessary to make some explanations. The
ballots will be printed "Constitution with the
Slave Article" If we vote we are thus COM
PEELED to vote for the Constitution. Whether
we do or do no: the Constitution will be re-
garded as ratified and sent up to Congress to
be received. 1t makes no difference as to the
prohibition Of Slavery in Kansas, if the Slave
Article is ratified or not. Slavery under the
bred Scott decision and Sillman letter is re-
garded as existing already in the Territory
and this Constitution being silent (should the
Slave article be stricken ou) on the subject,
will only give perfect lie ense and free trade to
the traffic in flesh and blood. II not being
regulated by law it will only come under the
general rights of properly. This is the posi-
ton assumed by Gen Calhoun and the Doug
las wing of the Convention. As the executive
has recognized this body as the legitimate
Trainer Of the Constitution. and It is generally
argued by The Democracy that the Corstitu-
ton alone has the right to decide how, and in
what manner it shall be submitted, there can
be no doubt in our mind that it will be re-
ceived "+#
The Slave Article is merely a regulation
prohibiting the emancipation of slaves witho nj
the consent of their owners, requiring them to
be treated with humanity, &C., and its being
voted down will not effect in the least the
question of Slavery in Kansas.
The report provides that there stall be no
change in the Constitution for long term of
years, nor without vote of two thirds of all
the legal voters. 1t provides regency for
temporary purposes, and makes the President,
John c. Calhoun, the regent of Kansas. He
has the power to order an election for Stale
offices, and Legislature, and by proclamation
convene the General Assembly OF the State
He appoints all judges of elections till their
regulation by the Legislature, receives all re-
turns, counts the votes, decides who is elected
and issues certificates.
WALKER, CALHOUN AND CATO.
BY the adoption of this report Gov. Walker
is completely deposed, and the power TIN own
into The still more inscriptions hands If Cal
houn. II remains to be seen whether the fed
eral officials will allow themselves to be de-
capitatAd in this summary manner. think
that Walker and Stanton both understood this
game. and they will conveniently leave for
Washington on business, at this iunctlre, and
nerer return. II is well understood that Walk
er starts for the Capitol as soon as the Con-
vention adiolri,s. The ostensible reason is
his desire TO use his personal Influence in the
removal of Judge Cato, but it is to carry ont
the plan which was already fixed upon when
he came to Kansas. Like Geary, he will be
victim to :he oligarchy, but unlike him, the
President will probably give him an ambassa-
dorship, or other fat office. OF one thing rest
assured, Walker will be no obstacle in the
progress Of this work. II he really is in earn
est in seeking the removal of Cato, and in pre-
venting the reception Of the Constitution by
Congress, as tie Free State Hunkers claim he
is, his appointment will never be confirmed by
the Senate, and he will get a long furlough
from public lfe