The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-12-11
The Kansas Coup d'Etat OF Walker and
Douglas-Progress Of the War.


Within the last two days the Kansas difficulty
has assumed a most ominous and revolutionary
shape in Kansas and at Washington.
First-It appears that in the absence of Gov
Walker, Secretary Stanton, acting Governor of
Kansas yielding to the pressure Of the free
State party, has called an extra session of the
regular Territorial Legislature, Gree State
elected in October,) for the purpose of arresting
the execution of the Lecompton (pro-slavery)
constitutional programme. In its regular course
the Legislature would not meet till January,
and in the interval the Lecompton Convention
had provided for the completion of the proceed
ings necessary to make Kansas State. With
out an extra session, therefore, il very like
ly that the Legislature by the 6rst of January
would find sits occupation gone" Hence the
pressure upon Secretary Stanton, and under
which he has succumbed. According to his re-
ported proclamation, the Kansas Legislature
assembled on the very day of the meeting of
Congress; and by this time, doubtless, the free
State lawmakers are under full Roadway in the
business of repeating the work of the Lecomp-
ton Convention.
Secondly-It appears that Secretary
Stanton, in thus converting the Legis-
that forthwith, upon the receipt of the
news at Washington, the President dccapitated
the disobedient Secretary, and appointed Mr..
Denver, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, to take
his place Mr.. Denver may, perhaps, be on
hand in time to veto las acting Governor) any
proceeding Of the Legislature levelled at the
Lecompton Convention; but as 1t Is possible
that two-thirds vote may he raised by the free
State party, 1t is also possible that by the 2lst
Of this month this extra session Of the Legisla-
ture may have declared the Lecompton Con-
vention and all its acts illegal fraudulent sin
operative and void"
This is certainly "a beautiful kettle of fish"
and il makes the ratification of the Lecompton
constitution, in any shape, doubtful, difficult
and revolutionary problem. In fact, from the
temper of the Kansas free State party, as mani
tested in their late popular meetings and con-
ventons, il would appear that they are deter
mined, by fair means or by foul, and at all ha-
yards, to get rid Of this Lecompton constitu-
ton. Considering these facts aud probabilities
III Win tObp u tet VI oo'tihoi
Walker and Senator Douglas, and the hume
rous deserters that have followed, or will fol-
low these gentlemen from the Northern demo-
cratic camp, we have before us the inevitable
contingency Of Northern anti-slavery coali-
ton In 1860, which will sweep everything be-
fore il as with the force Of whirlwind There
is something positively awful in the rise, pro-
.,r.h t;-o1a
movement Look at 1t.
In 1874 il was actively act on foot az q de-
tached Presidential element-James G. Brney
being the nominee OF the little faction He Sc
cured few thousand scattering votes here and
there, including some fifteen thousand votes in
this State, withdrawn from Henry Clay. But
this little diversion gave the State TO Mr.. Polk
and secured bis election. Mr.. Clay during the
canvass, in letter Of a few lines to some poll
ticians in Alabama said that $50 far from being
opposed to the annexation Of Texas, he should
be glad to see it," and that unfortunate expert
ment cost him those fifteen thousand anti
slavery votes of this State, which lost him the
Presidency.
In l848, in revenge against his cavalier treat
ment by the Southern politicians at Baltimore,
Martin Van Buren, rebelled and took the anti
slavery shute. The result was the division Of
the New York democratic party into two sepa-
rate parties, Of nearly equal strength, between
which General Taylor walked over the course
IN this State, and walked into the Presidency
The Van Buren, vote, added to that If General
Cas-, would have elected the latter by hand
some majority But the great point is the In
crease from "a to rs Of the separate anti
slavery vote. In the first instance II was
Ga ,O00-in the latter IL was within fraction of
30O,0 900 votes.
The compromise measures Of 1850, accepted
by the people Of all sections as "a fnalityr
Of the slavery agitation, resulted in the election