The Washington union., 1857-11-24
TOPEKA AGAINST LEcoMproN.

TOPEKA AGAINST LECoMPToN.
1t rs to be feared that of our democratic CO.
temporaries in danger Of occupying false posi-
ton in hastily assuming attitude of hostility to
the late action of the Kansas convention The Tri-
bune and its followers could scarcely have approved
any result at which the convention might have ar
rived; and for the obvious that blackrepub-
licansm openly scouts the authority Of the conven-
ton to have formed any sort of constitution for the
people of Kansas. The Topeka constitution in the
estimation of the blackrepublcan leaders, is the
only true constitution for Kansas, and hence when
any other is presented it is as matter of course
repudiated and denounced by them. But it is by no
means obvious how democratic editors who have
Indignantly rejected the Topeka constitution as a
fraud and humbug, and who have earnestly advo-
Gated the rghu authority of the late convention to
make a constitutions, are now found warmly co-ope-
rating with the abolition organs in denouncing not
only the action of that convention but the
ton itself. We must conclude that such apparent
Inconsistency is the result of hasy conclusions, and
that when the sober second thought shall prevail
they will renounce the present odious association
into which they have been nconsiderately drawn.
A very little reflection, think, will satisfy any
sincere democrat that the real issue presented
is whether Kansas is to be admitted as State with
constitution formed by body Of men chosen and
empowered according to all the forms of law to make
constitution, with one formed by a body Of
usurpers having pretence Of legal authority, and
in all respects better than mob. The idea as to
the failure of the convention to submit the entire
constitution to the people for ratification reiec-
tion on which some of democratic contemporaries
have gone off, will be found, on examination, not to
present the true issue involved. Under ordi-
nary circumstances, we should most heartily have
approved the submission of the whole constitution
to the people. The principle on which such sub
mission is properly made is sound and ought to be
dsregarded except for sufficient reasons We think
the reasons in the present fully justified the
convention in partial but unimportant departure
from the principle.
We admit, in all its force, the peculiar obligation
which rested on the Kansas convention to adj
here faithfully to the principle of popular SOW
ereignty contained in the Kansas act. If we were
not satisfied that the true spirit of that prin-
ciple was carried out by the action Of the
convention we should oppose it at all hazards What
is the spirit of that great doctrine which the dem
ocratic party fought its triumphant battle in 1856,
and which has been emphatically endorsed by Pres
ident Buchanan? 1t is that the people Of Kansas
should have the right to regulate their domestic in
stitutons in their own way. Will any one deny that
this principle was engrafted upon the Kansas bill
with exclusive reference to the slavery question: The
true intent and spirit Of the Kansas bill that the
people of Kansas, when they came to form consti-
tuition should either adopt reject the institution
of slavery, as they pleased No candid man will dis
pute this proposition. The question, them which
solves the whole matter is simply this: Has the Kan
sas convention secured to the people ofthe Terrific
ry the right to make Kansas free slave State
If this right is secured then the true spirit of the
Kansas law has been carried out On this point the
language Of the convention contained in the sched
ule to the constitution furnishes conclusive
1t is as follows; pf
Before this constitution Congress the pres
dent Of this convention in his absence by reason Of
his DEATH resignation otherwise, the president pro
m shall by proclamation declare that the 2lst day of
December 1857, at the different election precincts
established by law, in the Territory OF Kansas an cleo
ton shall be held which shall preside three Judges
to be appointed by the president OF this convention or In
his absence by of DEATH resignation, otherwise
the president pro tenn at which election the constitution
framed by this convention shall be submitted to all the
male citizens of the Territory Of Kansas the age of
twentyon years. for ratification rejection in the fol-
lowing and form The voting shall be by ballot
The Judges Of said election shall to be kept two
poll books by clerks by them appointed the ballots cast
at said election shall be endorsed, constitution with
slavery or constitution without slavery y
iOne of said poll-books shall be deposited with the
president Of this convention or In his absence by reason
of his DEATH resignation otherwise the president pro
TIM and the other to be retained by the judges Of cleo
ton and kept open for inspection The president OF the
convention, in his absence by of his death
resignation, otherwise the president pro t with two
or members of this convention, shall examine said
polbooks and IL II shall appear upon said examination
that majority of the votes cast at said election be In
favor Of the constitution with slavery, he shall mme
diatcy have transmitted the constitution ratified to
the Congress Of the United States for admission into the
Union a sovereign State under said constitution But
IT, upon such examination of said pollbooks, It shall ap
pear that majority of the votes cast at sad election bc
In favor Of the constitution without slavery then the
article providing for slavery shall be stricken from this
constitution by the president of this convention or In
his absence, by Of DEATH resignation or other
wise, by the president pro tp, and slavery shall no
longer exist In the State Of Kansas, except that the
right Of property in slaves in this Territory shall In
no manner be ntcrferod with,) and he shall mmed-
atcIy have transmitted the constitution ratified TO the
Congress of the United States for admission into the Union
az sovereign State under the said constitution