The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1857-12-05
Chicago Times on the Bogus Constitution

we nave WdLcneu WITH interest the
tone of the leading administration journals
in the East, to see how they were dis
posed towards Kansas, that we might
know what hope we had to expect from
Congress at its session commencing on
Monday next. AS Mr.. Douglas has been
the leading member of the Democratic
party in the Senate, we could not but feel
a deep interest in the tone of the Chicago
Times, known to be his special organ
Sevaral weeks ago we published an ex-
tract from its columns, in which it advo-
Gated the adoption of an enabling act by
Congress, similar to the act of last session
for Minnesota, in case the Constitutional
Convention did not submit its work to
fair and impartial vote of all the resident
voters of Kansas. =
Other articles have appeared from time
to time, and yet no one could tell what its
advice would be until the Constitution was
complete. In its issue of the 10Th of No
vember, it publishes the schedule of that
instrument, and reviews, at some length,
the document, and closes with the follow
| ing -
Upon this Constitution, upon the ques-
ton whether this instrument shall become
the supreme law of Kansas, the people
are not allowed the privilege of voting
of saying yea or nay.
We will not comment on this &C
ton; our views have so often been ex-
pressed as to the propriety of submitting
the Constitution to the people that it is
unnecessary to repeat them.
The question arises what is to be done
next |? There is something said of call
ed session of the legislature of the Terri
tory. If that body be convened, it will
doubtless submit, in some form or other
a Constitution to the people These two
rival propositions will come before Con-
gress for action. We suppose the Free
State men will not vote upon the ques.
ton submitted to them by this Conven-
ton, and that the friends of this Constitu-
ton will not vote at the election ordered
by the Legislature.
These a0hole proceedings haze 6ee1irregu-
Lar. The Topeka Constitution had nc
authority, nor has the present Constitu-
ton, nor will the Constitution which may
be formed by order of the present legisla.
ture; neither of these instruments can
possess any authority until recognized by
Congress. therefore in all probability, will
have three Constitutions before it, each ir-
regular II, its formation, and each repre-
senting the wishes of portion of the peo-
pie of the Territory. The only regular
mode at fproriding for the admission Of neaC
States IS the formation Of a Constitution in
pursuance of an act Of Congress defining
the boundaries of the Res0 State, and firing
the terms, naaRner, dc, Of eleetiHg the men,
berS Of the Conuention..
This has been almost the uniform prac-
tice of the government, and has never
failed to be satisfactory in its results. n
may Be that a resort TO that measure ,cill
be necessary to sOfre the present difficulty.
At all events it should be remembered
that in 1854 the solemn pledge was made
to the people of Kansas, that they should
be free to regulate their own domestic in
stitutions in their own way, and that when
they, the people of Kansas, had passed a
Constitution to suit Themselves, Kansas was
to be admitted into the Union. All ac-
ton by the Democratic party must have
in view the faithful redemption of thai
/ pledge.
The italics in the above quotation are
ours. The article is rather equiyocal, and
yet it seems to indicate very plainly that
the Constitution just adopted does no;
meet its expectations.
Business Active.
Our merchants are driving brisk bust
ness, notwithstanding the stringeney in
the money market. Every day the streets
are thronged with teams, and crowds oI
persons are seen among us from dis
tance, who have come here to purchase
their necessaries for the winter. That Il
win be close times with many through
the winter We have no doubt, owing TO the
great amount of sickness during the last
few months, yet the quiet of the sum-
mer has produced an abundant harvest oi
the coarser grains which viii supply the
necessities of the destitute. Kansas, In
/ the main. will suffer as little from the