The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-12-04
The Kansas Squabble Among the Democracy
The Administration.

the Administration.
1t is now abundantly manifest that the FIRST
and the most exciting subject before the new
Congress will comprehend Kansas, the Lecomp-
ton Convention, the policy of the administra-
ton, the adverse policy of Governor Walker,
the position of Senator Douglas upon popular
sovereignty" the demands of The Southern fire.
caters and the critical position Of the Northern
democracy.
As at present advised the purpose Of senator
Douglas is to become the great pacihcator be-
tween the policy Of the administration and the
uncompromsing attitude OF hostility assumed
by Governor Walker. We dare say, however,
that Mr.. Buchanan, in biz message. will not I'M
dertake to make the Lecomp'on programme a
positive ultimatum. The election which il to
decide, according to this programme, the ques-
ton of slavery" or mo slavery" is appointed
for the 2lst Of this month, and the administra-
ton must await the result. There may be no
election-the free State party appear to be ex-
cited TO the necessary pitch of wrath to break
up the election by force, if required. They had
appointed general Convention on the
I'd inst; and. Judging from the temper Of a
late fire and birthstone speech of Jim Lane"
which we published yesterday, we may next ex-
pect to hear that the said Convention have
resolved upon very summary process with
the Lecompton constitution and the parties
concerned in IL.
At all events, neither the administration nor
Congress can accept this Lecompton constitu-
ton till il is officially before them. and 1t can
not 40 come before them until after the 2lst
instant and after the issue of the election upon
slavery or no slavery" appointed for that
day. In the meantime, as intimated. 1t is quite
possible that Mr.. Douglas may break ground
upon an intermediate policy between that OF
Mr. Buchanan and Governor Walker and try
the experiment of pacifcaton and compro-
mise upon some such enabling act - as that
which was passed in the case of Minnesota. and
which has resulted 80 smoothly in bringing that
Territory into the Union as State On the
part of Governor Walker, az be has no voice in
| Congress il is probable that he will issue an
early manifesto to the American people, EN-.
hracing the history Of his experience and
/ troubles in Kansas. his constitutional and legal
Interpretation Of popular sovereignty" and
4 his peculiar views of the alleged Infamous
iugglcs" and "scandalous outrages' which
have made up the materials and the transac.
tions ID this aforesaid Lccompton Convention
But the administration holds the inside track
| Mr. Buchanan Is compelled 10 accept the legal
Developments Of popular sovereignty a. he
finds them. This Lecompton Convention wa:
\ 1 ,c,ed by less than one-tenth Of the voters o.
te b and vet, having been elected according
IS ousitions OF the regular Territorial
Authorities. the President was compelled to &C
ccpt the Convention as a valid Convention
Popular sovereignty" strictly applied, re
quired that the whole constitution bodily
should be submitted to the popular vote; but a:
the only question involved, Of any practical
consequence, was the question Of slavery OF
mo slavery and as that question il to be sub
mttcd TO the people on the 2lsi instant the
| President has had no alternative but to accept
what has been done, and TO await the result OF
that which remains to be done.
This is the strong position. The free Stas
| party-that Is, the legitimate voters Of Kansas
in favor Of making her a free State-are, al
least in numbers, as four TO one Of the pro-
slavery party. With anything, therefore, ap-
proximating an honest election the result will
inevitably be mo slavery" and Kansas will be
admitted as a free State But should there be
q fraudulent election, or should the whole Lee
compton programme and the leaders in II be
| expelled from Kansas through violent means.
the administration will be perfectly free to
| .hara ;,o nnrraa M tha pcnaatnp mac rou,,..o
But should law and order prevail in Kansas
and should she be admitted into the Union upon
the basis Of the Lecompton constitution, and