The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-10-26

have got large credits from merchants here,
simply on the ground Of their being well recon-
meDded at the agercies; while, in fact if their
real circumstances had been known they would
rot have got goods to the amount OF hundred
dollars; and nov the merchants find how much
they were deceived. If commercial 1rms here
relied less on mercantile agencies and more on
their own correspondents, they would have yer
baG debts on their ledgers and would run LEES risk
CT becoming insolvent themselves
THE LATEST PHASE OF THE KANSAS QUESTION.
The election for delegate to Congress and for
members of the Territorial Legislature is past in
Kansas, and the public can Judge from the result
what the sentiments OF the people there are in
relation to the question of slavery. There is no
doubt that by that peculiar system Of political
tactics known as "gerrymandefing" all possible
advantages were given to the pro-slavery party
over the free State party. For instance, the
town of Lawrence, the most thriving town in the
Territory, with its comparatively large popula-
ton, exclusively free coil, was made part OF
district, extending some forty miles down to the
Shawnee Mission, SO that its vote might be
overridden BY that Of the pro-slavery population
ecattered through this border district. And yet
with all these political appliances at work, the
rroslavery candidate for delegate to Congress
has been defeated by large majority and the
free soil people have msjo1ities in both branches
of the Legislature.
II connection with this election it is crafty
ing to notice the strict justice and impartiality
Cd nh oil Nv oil
One instance of this is given. A Dor
der county, known as johnson, had sent in
election returns showing pro-slavery majority
Of some five IT, ousaad-a majority perhaps five
times greater than the whole population Of the
county. In one precinct, where there were only
some twenty residents, the returns sho 1ed that
there were come sixteen hundred votes cast The
1t was represented to Governor Walker. He
took measures TO satisfy himself on the subject,
and being convinced that this and other returns
were fraudulent, the certificate of election was
given to the free soil candidate, Mr.. Parrot.
The Constitutional Convention hasre-assembIed
after its recess, and Ia now in eession at Lecomp
ton. 1t would be reasonable to suppose that In
view Of the popular feeling expressed at the re-
cent election, that body would frame free State
constitution and have it submitted to the people
Our own opinion, however, Is that it will do
neither OF these things. From the character of
the delegates, and from the manner in which
they were elected, we are inclined to believe
that they will frame constitution either d.
rectly recognising slavery or entirely silent on
hat ~ :<a hi
submitted to the people it will be sent direct to
Congress with an application for the admission
Of Kansas into the Upicn as State. The dele
gates are perfectly well aware that no act Of
theirs will be endorsed by tho people; and hence,
IL they did not intend 10 send the constitution
direct to Congress. there would be no sense what
ever in their continuing in session. They are
placed in just this dilemma: The people will ig-
more the whole proceedings if they have chance
of voting in the matter. Congress will reject
any application for admission not based on the
popular will. The new Legislature will repeal
the act authorizing the Convention, and will call
new Convention. Therefore, on either hand,
turn which way they viii, the gentlemen nov
in session in Lecomptou can see no possible
vi u'A4iHmg tAith
The only chance they have, under these cir
cumstances, is to deny to the people the right of
voting on the constitution, and to send it direct
to Congress. 1t will act az firebrand there
and may create much trouble. The Southern
ireeaters will strive to have the legality OF this
course recognized: but the conservative members
North and South will be too strong to allow the
success of such movement. The popular will
must be respected, and by virtue Of IL Kansas
will undoubtedly come in free State.
LESSONS OF THE PANIC PRorosED LIMITATION
or CREprrs,--In another column will be found
report OF the preliminary meeting Of hardware
merchants convened to consider the expcdiency
Of curtailing the PERIODS Of credit usually ac-
corded to their customers. IL will be seen from
the remarks made at this meeting that the suf-
ferings through which we are passing are already
productive Of wholesome fruits The hard ware
houses deserve credit for being the first to mako
a practical application Of the lessons inculcated
by our presen ut msfortunes II is TO extended ere
dts as q means Of expansion that our sufierings
arc mainly owing II commercial houses traded
strictly upon their own capital they would not
require larger amount Of accommodation from
the banks than they could at any time readily
reimburse. This is the whole rationale Of the qucs
tion Of immunity from these periodical rcvulsions,
so far as our domestic trade is concerned. II
therefore becomes important to consider whether
II s not within the power Of our merchants TO
restore their trade arrangements TO this secure