The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-06-27
FrolA .as Riohnond Enquirer.
KANSAS


prospective status the slavery question have been pro-
Hac topics Of disputatioa speculation, and anmadyer
on by all parties and in all sections OF country for
several years past That Territory has been and is still
the theatre Of most interesting events has been the
battle ground which the South and the enemies of the
south have met and struggled for the mastery Turmoil
strife and bloodshed were among the many incidents
arising from such state of things Until recently the
public mind has been comparatively quiet in relation
Kansas affairs. But that the popular will is about
10 be moulded into organic law previous TO the applica-
lion Of the Territory for admission into the Union as
state the attention OF the nation is again invited there
At time had high hopes that in Kansas we
should have another outpost protecting the nstitu
tions OF the South But longer aboring under
any such fattering illusion.
We give up the game and since we have lost it be-
comes interesting question 20 inquire why it is that
South has been beaten in this sectional struggle is
it attributable to mismanageent and maeasance the
part OF those who have been entrusted with the admins
tation of affairs in Kansas is il the result of other
which the federal government had control
and the southern people incapable of overcoming
Mainly to the latter, think
That the interests of the South have been materially
damaged by the unwaanted action OF officials in Kansas
invested with the perogatiyes and title of gov
Of that Territory and enoined to faithful and i'm
partial performance OF their delicate duties have grossly
abused their authority and perdiously violated struc-
TONS the records attest and the removals corroboe and
condemn.
The southern cause has thus been embarrassed and i'm
peded, 1t Is true But still, think, all these things
equal should, nevertheless, have failed to establish
the institution Of slavery in Kansas. The northern pee
pie migratory and fsnatcal than those of
the South Prompted by that cupidity which character
zes the rowing Yankee in his search for gain and insti-
fbc of
pets of aspiring demagogues, they rush to Kansas in
hores while the southern people, having stronger local
attachments less avdity for the almighty dollar and
more congcnal comforts at home, not active in
the enterprise of emigration to the of action and
we presume repaired to Kansas with fcber force Of
tual settlers The South had to introduce slavery the
North had only to oppose It, White labor is undeniaby
adapted to Kansas not less than slave labor and whether
the latter would be profitable there than the other
is question which could be determined only by expert
ment and experience, entirely at the stakeholder S
risk If the institution of slavery In accordance with
the DEGREES Of Deity, and Is dependent upon pro
ducts and climate for its natural course-as we think
argument authority overthrow, from the
fact that it still exists and fourishes in the south
ern States, and that its tendencies towards the
Southit is evident that its boundaries are prescribed y
the same hand that has marked out lines Of latitude
And this being so 1t is utterly impossible to introduce it
into any new country, especially since prejudccd and
uneghtencd public sentiment is opposed to it, unless
that country Is peculiarly fitted for its reception
asto make it highly and palpaby advantageous to the
people to adopt it.
Is this true of Kansas That slavery would de benef
ca in every point of view there it is here have no
doubt But we have said public sentiment unedu-
Gated the subject is always against it and the eli
mate Of Kansas is not such to render negro labor ind
pensable to proper and profitable cultivation the soil
Therefore its advantages apparent as to
the prejudces of the people We told that
question of slavery in Kansas is given up by pro-
slavery and that there is no hope for another slave
State from that Territory The constitution soon to be
framed will be final determination of the exciting issue
It's impossible that this distance we can weigh with
any degree of accuracy the complicated circumstances
surrounding affairs in Kansas and consequently 1t is
delicate and difficult undertaking to decide hat should be
done regards the submission of the constitution to the
people That should be submitted for the ratification
rejection Of the people, though believe estab
shed essential by precedent think highly
II is more in accordance with democratic sentiment and
the spirit Of institutions The question then arises
in this ao The people And it is question de-
handing the dispassonate reflection and incest dis
elimination That those entitled to for the trainers
Of the constitution also eligible to vote on the consti-
tuition itself is too sclfevdcn to be debatabe But are
there Others who rightully claim the privilege
and II so, who they Our opinion is that there
Others When the constitution is framed the or
ganc law State announced proposed to the peo-
pe and the responsibility of the provisions of the
constitution rests upon its trainers and those who voted
for it, they are egsativcly considered hener Sae and
TO allow those who had right TO pronounce prefer
in legislative matters previous to the formation of
the organic law to vote for against the organic law
itself, would seem to be allowing larger while denying
smaller and less important powers unless indeed
may except such present residents by virtue of the
before the constitution is submitted To allow the thou
sands who may imnigc to Kansas between the time of
the formation of the constitution and its submission TO
the people to vote upon its merits it to US would
be making popular sovereignty subseryient sYa
rqly and upon this point differ widely from Gov.
Walker whose expressions Of sentiment this subject
we think uncalled for and n,autous. We to
impute to him improper motive But think in
this respect he has erred and it is unnatural that he
o any other similarly situated should make one
false step have said it Is impossible that SO far
from the Of action should be enabled TO an
accurate estimate of the immediate circumstances
rounding Kansas affairs And therefore express these
opinions with reluctance and dsust lest may do in
Justice to the subject of remarks That the admins
fair and impartial adjustment of the difficulties in Kan
sas we cannot the remotest for shadow Of
doubt We would soon entrust the rights and honor
Of the South TO the keeping of James Buchanan to Mr.
Calhoun himself ii he alive.