Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-12-04
KANSAS AND THE SLAVERY QUESTIoN-lN
TERESTING VIEWS OF THE FUTURE.


From the Chicago Times. (the organ Of Senator Douglas0
Nov. ~.
The Convention assembled in kansas to frame a
State Constitution is in session, and has framed a
large portion of an instrument. The ommitte upon
The subject of Slavery has reported u provision, which
mas been adopted by The Convention, though II has
yet 10 be voted on rs forming part OF the Whole. we
ave the provision entire; 1t is rs follows:
This clause Of the Constitution was published at
l-rpth in tn. ZINES Of the 10Th, and need not now be
repeated
As there seem. to be no doubt of this provision be.
coming u part OF The Cons.tuiion, and ~ there is a
maiority of the Convention in favor OF submitting the
Constitution to the people for ratification or rejection.
we think that there can be but little doubt as TO the
fate Of such Constitution before the people. The
provision as il is reported, recognizes Slavery rs ex'
isting legally and in fact in Kansas; II provides that
the Legislature shall not eInancipGte those slaves now
there, or which may hereafter be brought 10 the Ter.
rltory. without compensation 10 the owners. These
are ,rifhing matters compared with the next provision,
which prohibits the Legislature from passing any
law for the prevention OF the Introduction oil slaVes
by emigrsnts 10 the territory.
This amounts to a perpetual invitation and protec-
ton to the introduction OF Slavery into Kansas, IL
ia virtually al establishment of Slavery as an instl.
tuition OF the state, not To bs disturbed by any legis-
Iative act. We regard such a proposition a. fatal 10
the Constitution. The people of Kansas have recent.
Nv, in a most emphatic manner, decided that they are in
favor of the exclusion of Slavery from kansas. II is
idle for the Convention to disregard that decisiUni
t1ty cannot tupb ina mo petpIo vi III IN oS
c-pt from such a Convention q Constitution making
Slavery n perpetual institution over which the PEG
Die through the L.. girlature can never exercise any
coa,rol. We say the fate "f that Constitution is al
ready aealed; the people OF Kansas are in favor-ln
the proportion OF three To One-of Il Free SAFE; they
want n Constitution making Kansas q Free State,
and they will vote down any Consultation which does
not clearly establish their expressed will.
Regarding the Constitution, IA prepared by this
Convention. AS beyond all possibility OF adoption, The
,,.st,,p 10 urbat will h. dom. uartT X aD.al haS 81
population ~justiyins IN admission into the Union
cha has been disturbed for years by tn. agitation ny
the question which can only be settled by her admls-
eiun into the Union. a Convention 10 frame a Con
.tltutiun was called. bur the people refused TO pertlcl-
pate in the election ~; delegates, and n handful Of
voters elected the handful ut Inen who compose the
pr.aeu; convention. Ths Fr5--Staie m.n hsd they
reaor;el Ia the polls could have elected Il convention
which would have carried "ut the wishes at the people,
and today kan-as might have a Constitution forever
disposing Ut the Slavery question. That failure In vote
in june last has caused II years delay. What IL 10 be-
done! We suppose that upon the meeting OF Congress
an net will be introduced-an act in the very words "f
the Minnesota act-authoriziug u convention 10 form
Il State Constitution. If mat act be passed at once,
~ it should be, Kansas may be a State on the first OF
May next. If no such act be passed by Congress or
should be delayed, the present Legislature will pro-
vide Tor u Convention. at all events a Constitution
such a. will ba acceptable 10 the people will b. pre-.
pared and ratified by the people, and will be presented
to Congress esrly in the Spring Upon that Cnnstitu-
ton. thus ratified aud approved by the people, Is ansas
will be admitted. Tue Democratic Party stands
pledged TO admit Kansa. without questioning her de.
cision on the Slavery question. That decision must
be made by the people, aud once perfectly made,
tina, decision must be regarded "a final.
Those Iner throughout the Union who have 30
long and earnestly desired the admission Of Kansas
as q Free State, must now see the consequences Of
the mad career of Lane and his associates The re
fusal to vote AT the election of delegates has post
poned the admission OF Kansas. and endangered her
freedom. Had these men voted then, as they did in
October, tho State OF Kansas would now be prepared
for admission with a Free State Constitution, and a
Democratic party in power, pledged TO her ainis-
sion. She has now 20 commence where she did in
June last, aud elect II Convention in 1857 that might
hay, been elected in 1856.
There is some talk about n revival OF the Topeka
Constitutions; TINT il mere folly. That Constitution
will never be recognized by the country. The friends
OF Kausas-rhose WIN wish 10 see her people have a
free aud fair expression Of opinion, and that expires.
sion freely carried out-hold that Topeka job in de-
~testation. Ii the present Convection adopt u pro-
slavery Constitution, let the people turn Gut peace
ably and vote it down; and leave to q nsw Conven.
ton, TO be elected by the people, the pleasing duty
of carrying out the will OF the msio-ity. Let the ro.
gular legal path be followed, and allow no evil coun.
selors to lead the Territory into more violence and
confusion by any reasonable illegal and short cut
proceedings. Let the people Of Kansas remember
sti,utIon TO suit themselves, and they will be their
own worst enemies it they forego that opportunity
by taking any further part in the Topeka swindle.