The Kanzas news., 1857-09-12
The Kanzas News.
s.rURDAY.=:sEPTEMBER 1e, 1857.
Mass and Delegate Conventions at
Grasshopper Falls.

Grasshopper Falls.
On Wednesday, the 26th ult., the Mass
and Delegate Conventions called by the last
Topeka Convention, assembled at Grasshop-
per Falls. The attendance of Delegates
was large.
Dr.J. P. Root called the Mass Convention
to orderat 10 o'clock A. NJ, and Judge Smith
was elected Chairman. The Judge made a
short speech on taking the chair, which was
decidedly favorable to the policy of voting.
DIR. Davis, of Leayenworth, and Rev. Dan
iel Foster, of Russell, were appointed Vice
Presidents, and MessEs. Josiah Miller, of
Lawrence, E. G.. Ross, of Topeka, r. G..
Elliott, of Delaware, and DR.. Kobb, of At
Gibson, Secretaries.
Quite an interesting colloquy then occur
red between Gen. Lane, Army and Phillips,
on motion of the Generals to appoints bu-
siness committee of two from each Senatorial
District. Mr.. Phillips inquired whether the
State OF Bogus apportionment was to be ta-
ken. Gen. Lane, in the course of the de-
bate, denied, in a very emphatic manner,
that this was a convention of the Free State
party. If it was he begged to be counted
out" He said that the difficulties that thus
occurred at the outset were but the fore
runners of those that would follow every
step we took in the dirty sinking road of bo-
gus law We could not open our mouths
but there came forth a blunder.
Mr.. Army, by few pointed remarks,
showed the absurdity of saying this was not
a convention of the Free State party, when
the delegates to the convention were elected on
the State apportionment. The committee was
finally made to consist of tWenty-fve-ten
north of the Kanzas river, five south of the
Osage& d ten between those rivers. The eCom-
mittee, north of the Kanzas river, consisted
of A. A Griffin, Manhattan; J. NJ. Duffie,
Delaware; Stephen A. Sparks, Easton; G.
s. Hillyer, Grasshopper: John B. Halter
scheidt, Jas. Davis and E. A. Adams, Leav
enw0rth; Col. Lane, Doniphan; w. Y. Rob
erts, Wyandott; and Col. Owens. South of
the river, C. w. Babcock, Robt. Morrow,
Lawrence; VIM. Jesse, Bloomington; C..
K Holiday, Topeka; Mr.. Russell, Council
CITY; III. NJ. Selden, Waubonsa; W. Austin,
Centropolis; Dr. Still, BIanton; Capt Bell,
Pacific City; D. Jackman, Hyatt. South of
the Usage. DIR. Fl. Smith, Ottumwa; G. A.
Cutler, Leroy; Anderson Johnson, Indian
apolis; Samuel Stewart, Cofachique; p. P.
Elder, Ohio City.
A committee was also appointed to pre-
pare an address to the country in regard to
Kanzas affairs.
On motion, adjourned to > O'Clock P. NJ.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
After the meeting was called to order by
the President, on motion of Judge Conway,
the convention listened to an eloquent ad-
dress from R. B. Foster, of Florence, Me-
braska.
Mr. James Redpath then addressed the
meeting on the question at issue. He said
there are several questions the people are
anxious TO have solved. 1st. Shall we vote
at the October election? Some think they
should, and contend that the Topeka Con-
vention decided that question. That action
was taken in consequence of the promises of
Gov. Walker. But, subsequently to that
action, the 1900 foreigners here have been
disfranchised, as has all that portion of our
population who came here since the 4th day
circumstances and maintain our self-respect
Besides this. if we vote we must do so be-
fore the bogus judges of election, and re-
port to the bogus commissioners. If the
Free State men go into the election. it is
probable we shall have majority of the Ter
ritorial Legislature, though this is by no
means certain. Half of the Territory is
disfranchised, and the whole of it is so dis
tricted that we are thrown into close prox-
unity to the border.
But what are We to do with the Topeka
Constitution and Government. One branch
of the party says, if we don't succeed we
must fall back upon that Others are in ia
vor of lodging the question; but I am de-
termined they shall not, if can get the ear
of this Convention. One party proposes
when we get possession of the Territorial
Legislature to repeal all the bogus acts, and
then adjourn forever. Those who propose
this, contemplate falling back on the Tope-
ka Constitution. We shall then be without
laws. l think we can get along very well
without them, as We have in the past. ]
have heard a prominent member of the Free
State party say he was in favor of continuing
In Territorial condition for four years lon
ger; but am in favor of no such policy
We have sent orators and letters over the
country, shrieking how We had been wrong
ed in Kanzas. 1t is proposed that the north
part of Kanzas shall control the south, bat
L will not submit 10 this, and would recon-
mend an independent government in prefer
ence. Shall we vote, and what shall we do
with the government when we get it? must
be settled here to-day.
Judge Smith then spoke In reply to Mr..
kedpath's argument against voting. His
principal point was that one portion of the
Free State party would do more Justice to
the whole people than Missouri would do
lie should go into the election with the hope
OF lettering our condition. The Free State
party wish TO get possession of the Legisla-
ture to correct abuses. and if they succeed
as ne was confident they would, these defects