The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-08-29
Defining il. Position.

Defining in Position.
The White Cloud Kansas Chief defines
its position in late number. As our
readers are interested in knowing the
position of the public journals of Kansas,
we copy from it with great pleasure.
He says
eve find that we do not come up to I
the standard established by those who
consider themselves the especial guardians |
of the freedom of Kansas. We can have |
dealings and associate with slave holders,
and treat them as gentlemen, SO long as
they conduct themselves as such-and
we have found very many of that kind
many more than we were led, while In
the East, for few years past, to believe
really existed. And, what is still more
strange, we believe that Free State men
can commit some very foolish acts-t0
say nothing of wrong. We believe, among
other things, that the election, on the Sd
inst, was an utterly useless piece of bus
iness; that the Free State Government
is an unwarranted and inconsistent insti-
tuition; and that a person may get to
Heaven without the Topeka Constitution
in his pocket. While we have our hand
in, we wish to PROFOUND few inquiries,
and make sundry observations.
In the first place-what possible use
was the late election? Do you reply--it
was to ascertain the strength of the Free
State party, and to fill the vacancies in
some of the State offices? What was the
object of certain part of the late census
taking, if not to ascertain the strength Of
the Free State party? And in that way,
| it could be ascertained effectually; as
every man in the Territory was visited,
bis name registered, and his politics noted.
| By this, not only the Free State strength
was ascertained, but it was found out
precisely how it stands compared to the
strength of the pro-slayery party. On the
other hand, there were, no doubt, thou
sands of Free State men who did not
vote, and consequently the election will
give an erroneous idea of the extent of the
strength of the party.
We next arrive at the plea for filling
the vacancies in the State offices. And
why should they be filled? Is the Free
State Government legal institution: and
is there any necessity for keeping mp an
illegality? Why, one part of the pro-
gramme fatty contradiets another part.
One part of the ticket contain the names
of candidates for State officers, and anoth-
er part expresses whether or not the
voter desires the Territory to be ad-
mitted as State, at a future time, with a
certain constitution-thus directly admit
ting that Kansas is not State, and there
| fore not entitled to State Government;
but at the same time voting for men to
carry on the State Government! Surely,
there can be nothing more inconsistent!
If we talk about Border Rufianism, Bogus
Laws, and all that sort of thing, we should
at least attempt to keep our own skirts
clear.
Of the Topeka Constitution VIC have
heretofore spoken. We cannot agree,
with many, that this constitution was
ever a matter of necessity. 1t is well
known that gross frauds and outrages
were committed upon the citizens OF
Kansas; but at that time, Kansas was not
legally entitled to State Constitution,
under the laws of the United States-she
had not one-fourth the requisite popula.
tion-and there was no necessity for a
Constitution to which she was not enti-
tied. As to the Constitution itself, it is
a very good one, unobjectionable except
in several features of little moElent; but
considering the manner in which it was
gotten up, we are opposed to making il
test of the soundness of Free State men
and to abusing those who do not desire
to force it again before Congress. Some
thirty to fifty men might now assemble
together, and form a Constitution equally
as good, and with the same propriety in
sist upon its acceptance by the people and
, by Congress. There are laws governing
such matters, and laws like that, arr
things not lightly to be trifed with. AS fal
as Territorial laws are concerned it may bt
said that we have none. The people are
getting tired of this way of living, and de
sire State Government of their own
but it is nonsense to think that Congress
will admit Kansas with the Topeka Con
stitution, at least for four years to come
The Constitution to be formed by the
Delegates recently elected, may be voted
down, new set of Delegates may bt
chosen; they may meet, and adopt the
Topeka Constitution, and come in with il
} in that way; but they can never do it
as it now stands.
1t is contended that the Free State mel
are going to take part in the regular Oc.
tober election, and vote for the same can
didates who were voted for at the elec-
ton on the Sd inst. But, as We under
stand it, they are to meet at Grasshopper
the latter part of the present month, to
decide whether they will participate in
the October election or not. Suppose,
from some cause or other, they should
decide not to do so-would not the Dele
gate TO Congress present itself at Wash
lngton next winter, to create disturb
ance, and consume time, in his efforts to
obtain his seat, upon the strength of the
late election; and would not the members
of the Legislature and the State officers
continue their operations, as they have
heretofore been doing?
The Free State Government has been
carried on for several years. The salaries
of the officers and employees, the publi-
cation OF the laws, and vast amount of
printing done, will cost an immense sum
of money. Somebody must pay this.
We believe scrip has been issued to defray
the expenses, in part, at least. Now,
the question arises-when Kansas comes
in as a State, under the management of
these same men, as she probably will,
will net some provision be made to as
sumo the payment of these claims, and
redeem this scrip? If so, who will have
/ to Pay It? OF course, in addition to the
usual heavy taxes to fit out the machinery
ola new State Government, the people
will also be saddled with the expenses of
a body acting under no legal authority,
and which has not benefited them in the
least. If the people viii but look at the
matter in a proper light, we opine they
viii not think the Topeka test and the
State Government such wonderful insti-
tutions, after all.
/ The above ara (ffr yiayys of Karcoc Of