Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-06-26
KANSAS.

/ Ssocdshed were among the many incidents aris'n@
from IN a state Of things. Until recently the pup
lie mind has been comparatively quiet liz relation 10
Kansas affairs. But now that the popular Will Is
sbou, to be moulded into organic law, previous ~
the application Of the territory for adm'Ss'o"
Union as State, the attention OF the na'ion 10
invited there. ,
At one time, we had high hopes, tnat IN hansas "e
should soon have another outpost protecting the ns'
tutions of tho South Butwe are no longer laoor'ps
under any such Aattering illusion.
We give up the game; and since we have lost'h Do
comes an interesting question to inquire why II e
that the South has been beaten in this sectional
struggle! Is it attributable to Encouragement and
malfeassuce on the part Of those who have Deen en-
trusted with the administration OF affairs IN Kansas
or is it the result of other over which the red
eral Government had no control, and the southern
people were incapable OF overcomngi Mainly 10 the
latter, We think.
That tina interests of the South have been material
" damaged By the unwarranted action OF ON
ce,s in Kansas; that men invested with the prerogs
.yes and title of Governor Of that territory and n
Joined to faithful and impartial performance OF their
delicate Duties have grossly abused their authority
test and the removals corroborse and condemn.
The Southern cause has thus been embarrassed and
impeded it is true. But still, We think, all these
things equal we should, nevertheless, have failed to
establish the institution Of slavery in Kansas. The
Northern people are more migratory and more fanat
cal than those Of the South Prompted by that Gu.
pid;.y which chsraoerzes the rowing Yankee in bis
search for gain. and insgated by the fanatlcsm OF
fools, who the plastic puppets OF aspiring dema'
gogues they rushed to KANSAS in hordes; while the
Southern people, having stronger local attachments
les. avidity for the almighty dollar and more con-
genial comforts a. home, were not 30 active IN the
enterprise of emigration to the scene OF action, and
we presume repaired to Kansas with feebler force
of actual settlers The Sc:th had to introduce slavery
the North had only TO oppose it. White labor s unde
TO Kansas not less than slave labor and
whether the latter would be profitable there than
the other 10 question which could be determined only
nv expsrineo, and experience entirely at the slave
holders risk II the institution OF slavery is in &C.
cordance with The DEGREES Of Deity, and is dependent
upon products and climate for its natural courss-as
va think no sl sument authority eau overthrow
from the fact that still exists and flourishes in the
Southern States aud that ts tendencies are towards
the south-it is evident that its boundaries arc pre-
scribed BY the same hand that has marked out lines of
latitude And this being so. it is utterly impossible
to introduce it into any new country, especially since
prejudced and unenlightened public sentiment is
opposed to it, unless that new country is peculiarly
hs;ed Tor it's reception to make it highly and pal
pably advantageous to the people to adoptt
Il this true of Kansasl That slavery would be
beneficial iu every point of view there IA is here
we have no doubt. But, We have said, r:H''c aen.
tment uueducated on the subject, is always agains
il; and the climate Of Kansas is not such as to rem
der negro labor Indispensable to proper and pro-
ftable cultivation of the soil. Therefore its advan
tases not so apparent a. TO overcome the preJu
6ces of the people, We are told that the question
of slavery in Kansas is given up even by f:oslave
~ men; and that there is no hope for another slave
State, from that territory The constitution soon to
he framed will be a final determination of the eI-
citing issue.
II is impossible that at this distance We can weigh
with any degree of accuracy, the complicated circum
stances surrounding affairs in hanaas; and come
ouently it is a delicate and difficult undertaking TO de-
cid. hat should be done regards the submission OF
tbs constitution to The people, That it should DE SUBJ
mttd for the ratification or rejection of the people,
though we believe not established as essential pro
ceden we think is highly proper Its more IN accord
ance with Democratic sentiment and the spirit OF our
institutions. The question then arises: IN this sense
rao are the people7 And it is question dsma2cin"
the most dspassionate reflection aud incest dscrim
nation That those entitled to vote for the trainers
of the Constitution are also eligible to vote on the
Constitution ITSELF is too selfevisnt to be debatabe
aha ,i,y ffttlly nlaIr he
same privilege; and if 80, who are theyl Our own
opinion u.s. that there no others. When the Con.
sttuon 10 framed the organic law OF State is an
bounced or proposed to :he re:ple. And as
the responsibility Of the provisions OF the Con-
titution rests upon its framers and those who
voted for 1t; they arc, legslatively considered,
the ,..u State; and to allow those who had no
right 10 pronounce preference in legislative
matters previous 10 the formation Of the organic law,
10 vote for or against the organic law ITSELF would
eeem to be allowing larger while denying smaller
and less import.ut powers unless, indeed We may
except such present residents, as by virtue OF 'he
territorial laws will beooine voters from lapse OF
time before the constitution is submitted. 10 allow
the Thousands who may immisrate to Kansas between
the time of the formation of the constitution and s
submission to the people, to vote upon its merits 1t
seems to u.s. would BE- making popular .oetrelg"fy SUB
ssrvient to ,quat.er soocregny and upon this point
Wa differ widely from Governor Walker. whose e1-
pressions of sentiment on this subject think were
uucalled for and incautious. We mean to iupute to
him no improper motive. But We think " te's re-
spect he has erred and it is not unnatural that be or
any other man similarly situated should make one
false step. AS have said it s impossible Thar 30
far from the Of action we should be enabled 10
form an accurate estimate Of the immediate c:rcum'
stences surrounding Kansas affairs. And therefore
We express these opinions with reluctance and dis.
trust lest We may do injustice to the subject Of our
remarks. That the administration is exerng all rs
authority and influence to effect fair and impartial
adjustment of the difficulties in Kansas we cannot
see the remotest reason for Is shadow OF doubt. We
would as soon entrust the rights and honor of the
South to the keeping of James Buchanan as to Mr.
Calhoun himself, il he were alive.
The Convention n,sy frame pro-slavery Constitu-
ton or it may not In either event. we think itwoald
he unfair for those people to vote upon the Cousita
tcn who 20 r:o the Territory after it's organic laws
have been xed upon by the legitimate representatives
NJ The actual residents, who are, in themselves,
entitled to apply for the admission Of Kansas as
State; and who, in that capacity, have previously
proposed those laws which are requisite before app
cation for admission into the Union. Let us suppose
the Convention will frame the Constitution IN day.
and that will be ratified the next day; and thar TINS
is all done before the rs, Of July Should those who
60 into the Territory the second July be entitled
il they numerous enough, to overthrow this Con-
sii'u,,on already ratified They should not, it may
be said because the people have decided to accept it
before :.e:. arrival in the Territory. But it is not
indispensable that it should be submitted TO the peo
pie at all And suppose lie not, will it be irrevoca-
BILE soon as the Convention adjourns or sha,.
these roters ssy it shall not be the law q
II they have the right to vote upon after is form.