The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-10-17
war,hv of Communication

We have more than once had occasion
to speak complimentary of the \. Y.
Times, and its course on Kansas affairs.
To contrast its cheerful. hopeful tone with
the despondent, discouraging language of
other journals, and their correspondents,
is truly refreshing.
In late number, the Times replied
to a correspondent who wished to know
of the editor why he was SO hopeful that
Kansas would be a Free State, even if
pro-slavery Constitution should be fixed
upon the people by Congress. The Times
replied
ave will very cheefully do all in our
power to encourage the hopes of our cor
respondent, that Kansas may and soiU be
a Free State in spite of the utmost inge-
nuity Of the pro-slavery conspirators to
prevent it. We begin by assuming, what
we have no doubt is true, that large
majority of the people of Kansas are, and
viii continue to be, in favor of excluding
slavery. Now suppose-what we do not
believe will prove true-that Constitu-
ton establishing Slavery should be devi-
sed, passed by the Convention and sub
mitted to Congress, without having been
acted on by the people; and suppose also
that Congress should admit Kansas as a
State into the Union with that Constitu-
ton. A majority of the people would
still be opposed to it; and as Kansas
would then be a sovereign State, entitled
to entire sovereignty over her own affairs,
the majority of her inhabitants could elect
Legislature of their own way of think
ing, which would summon a Convention
to form new Constitution, and an that
embody the popular WILL Undoubtedly
the issue of this process might be delayed,
but it could not be prevented. The fed
eral Government ceases to have any voice
in the matter, as soon as it has admitted
Kansas as State;-federal executives
and federal judges are no longer allowed
to interpose against the popular will Nor
can any clog be put upon the right Of
suffrage which would effectually prevent
this result. It is, of course, conceivable
that the Constitution might forbid any but
shareholders from voting; but it is not
likely that any such absurd attempt at
restricting the suffrage will be made, and
it certainly would not be regarded if it
should. 1t would be resisted, if neceS-
sary, by force of arms. There is no good
reason for believing that any qualifications
for voting will be prescribed which will
not admit the great body Of the people
of Kansas to the exercise of that right;
and, if so, then the will of the majority
must inevitably-if they are true to them
SelveS-SoOner or later, be carried into
full effect in shaping the laws and insti-
tutiOns of the State.
Another correspondent calls attention
to the fact that 'in the registry of voters a
Uery large part cftFe Free State men tgere
omitted, so as to give the ascendency to
their oppOnentS;' and he considers this a
fatal objection to our views of the pros
poets of Kansas. 1t might be fatal, if it
were final. But this fraudulent omission
of names from the registry of voters can
not be permanent Such frauds must
and will be corrected, at least when Kan
sas becomes State, if not before Besides,
| it must be remembered that the Free State
men are themselves responsible, in some
degree, for this omission of their names,
for they refused to vote or be registered.
lest they should recognize the authority
of those who made up the lists. If they
had done then, what they have done
since, determined to 90 to the ballot-box
and conquer their right, they could have
prevented, to a very great extent, what
now seems to be the main obstacle to their
success. And we have never supposed
that Kansas could be made Free State
against the aUiU of the Free State portion
of its inhabitants.
ave must not be understood in all this
as in the least degree palliating or excus-
ing any attempt that may be made by the
Convention to fasten slavery upon Kansas,
or as being Indifferent to the character of
the Constitution that may be formed. We
hope aud believe that it will be submitted
to the people, and that, by their vote,
slavery viii be excluded from the future
State. But we cannot agree with those
who believe that the struggle viii end,
and all hope depart, even with victory
of the pro-slayery conspirators. We do
not believe that the people of Kansas
will submit to such a conquest, so achiev-
ed, or abandon the endeavor to secure free
| institutions for themselves and their
children, even if they should have at the
outset a pro-slavery Constitution fastened
upon them. Nor do we see what can
possibly be gained to any valuable and
important interest of the country, by the
dismal forebodings as to the future of
Kansas in which it is the fashion of many
journals to indulge. If the people of Kan
sas are true to themselves, they sciH embrace
eJe'y possible opportunity Of contenling for
| their rights. Instead of surrendering upon
the first defeat, they will make it the
occasion for renewed exertions; and, un
til we abandon all faith in our Republican
institutions, and in the principles on
which our Government is based, we shall
net cease to believe that, if they really
desire If, the PEOPLE of Kansas can make
it free. They have taken the first step
/ already, in deciding to vote"
Slave Catching in MARYLAND