Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-12-04
THE ACTION OFTHE KANSAS CONVENTION
OPINIONS or THE PRESS.
From the Lawrence CMas..) Sentinel

From the Lawrence (hh5.J scnuncl.l
1t is perfectly apparent that those who make such
An outcry in regard to the course pursued by the
Kansas Constitutions! Convention are actuated by a
factiou. and fault finding spirit rather than a real So
licitude for the interests OF that Territory, That
course is not only in harmony with the principle al
popular sovereignty, but ia supported by the mos,
authoritative preceden;s in the action OF similar boz
diea. "a in the case Of that OF Ohio.
We have YET to learn that, aside from the simple
question Of slavery or no slavery, which Is to he de
cided by the people in their primary Capacity there
ia ANYTHING else in the Kew Constitution in reference.
TO which parties in Kansas are at issue. Ii would be,
At least, becoming in those who clamor against the
method proposed for submitting It 10 the popular
tat. aud who denounc. In. Administration for it,
supposed acaliescence in thst plan. 10 show wherein
this Constitution IA a whole is defective or repugnRnt
10 the sentiments Of the people. The opposition
press have utterly failed to show any plausible pre-.
text for auppo.ing tha citizens ut Kansas 10 entertain
objections To their Constitution ~ a whole, unless
thew desire to reject it for the purpose OF continued
agitation, and IL keep her out Of tho Union rs a bone
of sectional contention. Indeed, there is reason to
apprehend that the anti. slavery majority, rather than
the minority. with the power in their own hands To
settle the slave smbrog!o in their own favor, design
10 perpptuate itx all open question. Hence no man.
ner o: Constitution, perhaps, would at present be &C.
ceptabie to :hem.
So far az the slavery clauseis concerned. if the PEG.
pe reject it, there is an end 70 the sectional contrOver-
Az upon tina: point, and the peculiar institution, be-
yond the pre.ex,s,ing rights of property in slaves, is
forever excluded when the Constitution gnes into ef-
feet. The decision of this question, in fact, covers the
whole ground Of controversy: AMI touching tile minor
question respecting the temporary rights of sIav-hold
ers now resident in the Territory, tho provisions of
the Constitution just framed at Lecoinp;cn, are al
most Identical with those Of the Topeka organization
OF course. that portion o! the schedule which main.
tains the existing territorial laws in force until super.
seeded by a new Legislative code under the State gov.
erument ia aimply II political necessity, aud does not
form n component part of the new Constitution.
1t ia always much easier to lind fault with the mpa-
sures taken 10 accomplish n given object than to pro.
pose a more feasible method Ut attaining :he same
end, The opposition demand that the Constitution of
Kansas shall be submitted ~ u whole. instead of re-
f-rring those points upon which there is a known and
admitted difference Of opinion. But the fact must be
apparent that is merits and popularity, as n rrhoie
can never ~. ascer'aiued by the former mode of pro-
cedure. With the slavery clause, it perfectly uner
cept:onable in other respects, il would be- sure ut re-
faction at the hands of the tree State party, aud II
submitted w'fh0at il, il would meet with Al equally
decided opposition on the part OF the Southern advo
Gates, aud that entirely without reference 10 liza gene.
raj character. ls submission az a whole. therefore,
would approximate no neDr9rt 0a perfect expression OF
the popular will of kansg9 than IT submitted III the
manner provided by the Convention. In either case,
il would amount to nothing more Nor iesS than a de.
cision oi III. only material point at ls1us-nainely,
the slavery question Moreover. Lis rejection as q
whole, with or without slavery, would nrc-sstateth the
calling Of 4 new Convention. with no better under.
standing OF tD6 SUBJECT OF p'oSp"ci VI u more euc-
cessful issue of its labors. and would besides unne.
cesasrily delay the admission of kanses into the
Union.
1t il very evident that the course adopted by the
convention was not prompted by any Interior pur.
pose. or unwillirgneas TO submit any constitutions
question 10 the people. bat was resorted TO simply on
account of the d,tficulty-nay, the manifest impossi-
biity-of arriving at any satisfactory conclusion OF
their labnrs in any other narner. If its members,
supposing them committed TO the interests Of the
Vii III Iaa,, tra,l Tt nv 1n,, astrN
it would be that very question which they hare sub.
mitted; and il is preposterous TO suppose that. heing
willing TO 20 to The ballot box with this, they should
endeavor, from any sinister motive, to withhold or
reserve any other. On the Whole, they have undoubt-
edly adopted what they considered the best pracilcG-
b. method to arrive at u satisfactory solution of e1-
listing difficulties, and to acquit themselves impartial.
~ Of the ungrateiul task assigned them.
But, IL our opponents 'n"an to inslnuate tina: the
present Administration will lend it's influence to i'm
pose q Constitution upon the people Of Kansas which
il adverse to their sentiments and contrary to their
viii, or that Congress %ill ratity any Constitution
which may be presented without q careful exainina.
ton of it's provisions in reference to their Republican
equity and adaptation to the ascertained wants and
wishes of that people. they stand in the attitude OF
base calumpiators. We but express the sentiments
and convictions of the Administration and of the ell.
tire Democratic press, IN saying that when The Con
of Kansas ia submitted to Congress, whether
or without the slavery clause, it it shall appear
to be the work Of any party or section, or framed
with view to the exclusion of settlers from the North
or South, or with an intent 10 suppress the suffrage
Of those already located therein a word, if it il
to contain any provision which may warrant
the e~uspicicn that il is not II free and fair expression
Of the popular will, i, wiK, in that case, be promptly
rejected.
The public, however. have learned to understand
that this hue and cry about cuvertly forcing slavery
upon Kansas il all a device for political eject. They
Know very well tha; there is at the head OF our ma.
tional affairs an Administration with which such n
scheme would find no favor and stand no chance Of
And knowing this, We are not prepared 10
believe-tor the reason tina: We have NO grounds 10
o~elieve-thst the trainers Of the Constitution of ksu.
even il so disposed, would attempt such a despe
ate game ~ they are made &c play IN tho columns
Vt our equally desperate f:eedom'sh:ieking contem-
,uraries.