The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-11-18


for their refined sugars about &c. per lib. Coffee
steady, with limited sales. Freghs in fair request
and engagements made to moderate extent at
changed with charter for Bristol and another for
Trieste terms stated in another place.
Kansas In New Shape-Sweeping Coup
d'Etat OF the Lecompton Convention.
The Kansas Pro-slavery Constitutional Con-
vention, in the work which they have achieved,
have exceeded all expectations and all conjec-
lures. The prevailing opinion was that this
Convention would frame pro-slayery consti-
tuition and hurry it up to Congress, dispensing
with popular ratification. This proceeding,
however, is but an incidental trihe in the pro-
gramme which has been adopted; for this afore-
said Convention has completely superseded the
regular federal and territorial authorities by a
dictatorship of its own choosing.
This is coup dtsat which nobody outside of
the secret affiliations of this Convention could
have anticipated. 1t is, in fact, a revolutionary
movement, which puts the local affairs of Kansas
in more critical shape than any of the many
other phases through which they have passed.
1t appears that the Solons of this aforesaid Con-
vention have decreed:-
l. A strong proslavery State constitution,
which is not to be referred to the people.
2. A separate reference Of the slavery ques-
ton to q vote of the people, which will not
affect the slavery provisions of the constitution
in the slightest degree neither one way nor The
other.
3. That Gov. Walker is deposed.
4. That the regular Territorial Legislature is
superseded
s. That regency or provisional government
is established, with dctatorial powers, of which
Mr.. John Calhoun is the chief, under the title
of Governor, and that this regency is to go into
operation Immediately.
Now, this beats the Topeka government Of
Generals Lane and Robinson all hollow. 1t
surpasses anything that we have seen Of the
political pretensions of Brigham Young; for,
with all his assumptions of divine right and
squatter sovereignty, he has never so fatty re-
pudiated the supreme authority Of the general
government as these Lecompton constitution
makers. Their proceedings are without a pa
rallel, and there is nothing like precedent for
them in the case Of any other Territory OF the
Union, past or present. On the contrary, the
federal constitution, the organic Law of Kansas
all popular rights and Territorial forms and
usages, are boldly set at defiance by these Kan
sas disorganizers.
The proceedings in question would amount to
nothing more than contemplate farce, did we
not know that they are intended for mischief,
and that the mischief-makers are dispersed
over much larger area than that of Kansas
Territory. II is thought that the design Of this
Lecompton Regency is to stiae the Legislature
and the popular voice Of Kansas upon the main
issue, in exciting general squabble among all
parties in the Territory upon the local question
Of jurisdiction. II is further supposed that this
regency, through this cloud Of smoke and dust,
will push off TO Washington and attempt TO
hurry through the admission Of Kansas upon
the basis Of their pro-slavery constitution. in
advance Of the meeting of the Territorial
Legislature.
We are glad to learn, however that Governor
Walker has been appealed to, to convene an
extra session Of the Legislature to meet this
contingency; and, for the sake Of peace in Kan
sas, we hope that the next news will be that an
extra session has been ordered. Otherwise
these Lecompton philosophers might be permit
ted freely to run to the end Of their rope, mas
much as the admission Of Kansas into the Union rs
State Is thing which cannot be done, except
by act OF Congress But, for the sake Of law
and order In the Territory, IL II desirable that
this Lecompton regency should be dealt with
promptly and efficiently by the regular authori-
ties, federal and local
The party Of the Topeka constitution some
time ago, in an irregular attempt to set up their
peculiar government, were dispersed by the
United States troops, and If a mildcr process
should prove inadequate against any overt act
Of this Lecompton regency, the dragons should
be again called into requisition. In the mean
time, we have no fears Of the result at Washing
ton. We have a sagacious and reliable Presi-
dent of the head Of affairs, and bis just and
honest Kansas policy will command a majority
in both branches Of Congress, which no faction
Of sectional disorganizers can shake. We have
no approximations, therefore, that Kansas will be
admitted into the Union upon the basis Of any
constitution which shall not have received the
endorsement of the people Of Kansas. We have
no fears Of the ultimate issue of this Lecompton
movement. II will fail The parties interested
in II cannot entertain serious hope of Its sue
cess We presume that their objects are
agitation, sectional discord, and a Southern
ultra sectional rebellion. We believe
mat their immediate purpose is to cast
the brebrand into Congress upon which our
Southern fre-esters have resolved TO cut loose
from the administration, and to act up a sec
tional party on their own account for the next
Presidency.
IL is impossible to believe that these Lecomp-