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


The Convention assembled in Kansas 70 frame State
constitution Is in session, and has framed large portion
Of an instrument The committee upon the subject Of
slavery has reported aprovson which has been adopted
by the Convention though II has yet 10 be voted
forming part Of the whole.
As there seems no doubt of this provision becom
Ing part Of the constitution and there a majority OF
tho Convention IN favor Of submitting the constitution
the people for ratification or rejection, we think there
be but little doubt 70 the fate Of such constitution before
tho people. Tho provision, reported recognises
slavery existing legally and in fact in Kansas pro-
vides that the Legislature shall not emancpate those
slaves there, which may hereafter be brought 70
the Territory without compensation 10 the These
arc 'rifng matters compared with the next provision,
which prohibits the legislature from passing law for
the prevention q the Introduction Of slaves BY cmgrants
10 the Territory.
This amounts perpetual invitation and protection 70
the Introduction Of slavery into Kansas II virtually
establishment 81 slavery Institution Of the State not
20 be disturbed by any legislative act We regard such
proposition fatal the constitution. The people Of
Kansas have recently IN most emphatic manner decided
that they In favor Of the exclusion Of slavery from
sss idle for the Convention IN disregard that
they cannot hope that the people Of Kansas will accept
such convention constitution making slavery perpetual
institution over which the people through The Legislature
can never exercise any control We say the Of that
tuition already sealed the people OF arc in
favorn the proportion Of three TO oneof free state
they want constitution making Kansas free state. and
they will vote down constitution which not clear
ly establish their expressed will
Regarding the constitution prepared by this Convcn
ton a beyond all possibility 81 adoption the question
what will be done nextf Kansas has population Justify
admission into the Union she has been disturbed
for years by the agitation Of the question which only
be settled BY her admission into the Union Aconvenuon
IA frame constitution called but the people refused
10 participate 10 the election Of delegates: and handful
81 voters elected the handful of who compose the
present Convention. The free STATE men, had they
sorted 20 The polls, could have elected convention which
would have carried out the wishes of the people and
day Kansas might have constitution for dsposing
Of the slavery question That failure ~ vote June
has caused years delay What Is u be doneY
We suppose that upon the meeting Of Congress act
will be invducedan act in the very words Of the Mime
sofa ac,-authorzing convention N form state const
ton n that act be passed at once should be- Kansas
may be state tho first ~ Maynext no such BE-
passed BY Congress should be delayed the present
legislature will provide for convention At all events
such will he acceptable 20 tho people will
be prepared and ratified by the people, and wal DO pre-
scented 10 Congress early in the spring Upon tina,
stu,on thus ratified ami approved by the people Kansas
will We aim4ttcd The democratic party stands pledged
o admit Kansas without questioning her decision ON the
slavery question. That decision must be made ny the
peopc and perfectly made that decision must be
gatdcd o. final
These men throughout the Union who have SO long and
earnestly desired the admission Of Kansas free State
must now see the consequences Of the mad Of Lane
ana hb associates The refusal 70 vote AZ the election Of
GeleEas ha postponed the admission Of Kansas and
GthEertd her freedom. Had these men voted then as
me! af ~ October the state &C Kansas would nov be
prepared iof admission with free State constitution and
oe,noofaue party N power pledged % her admission
'he he no" ~ commence where she did in June last
I'd IN 1866