The Washington union., 1857-12-03
THE ACTION OF THE KANSAS CONVENTION q
NEW ENGLAND DEMOCRATIC PRESS

suhtaai the acuon OF the Kansas convention with
great earnestness and ability Extracts from the
leading democratic journals of Massachusetts, Maine,
Vermont, Rhode Island Connecticut, and New Hamp-
shire have already appeared in our columns From
an Telaborate and powrfnlly-written argument
which appears in late issue of the Salem (Massa-
chusetts) Advocate take great pleasure in laying
before readers this morning the following ex-
tracts
That the convention which framed the constitution
possessed legitimate power is beyond doubt Its
hers chosen by the people of the Territory under
call issued by the properly constituted authority They
represented the population of the Territory far il is
possible for any body indicate the sent
nens OF those by whom they elected The duty of
framing constitution delegated to them and with
that duty the right to complete such State organization
would enable Congress to admit Kansas into the Union
Neither law universal precedent required that they
should submit their work to the people, except in such
form they the Representatives of the people might
deem proper and expedient That every republican sent
iment called upon them to do SO trust will
deny But the charge that they did not do 30 by no
invaldates their action In reviewing the course
pursued by the several Territories in their admission of
States into the Union it will be found that in many
cases the adoption OF constitution by convention
has been considered sufficient. The submission of the
constitution to the people Is by no means universal
And had the progress Of Kansas from territorial to
State organization been peaceful and nnimpeded dem
ocrats would have had It, no question would have arisen
upon this point However contemplate may be sub
terfuge by which single question of State policy
ected for popular verdict and however shortsghted
may be any attempt TO recognise the existence of any in
sitution by refaning from all action upon it, there is
in all this for revolution and for the reiec
ton by Congress Of an application OF Kansas to become
State. .tag
And why Because in its admission into the Union
according to the free and liberal policy of the democratic
party is to be found the only remedy for its troubles
Kansas independent State, and the question of
slavery directly before the people, matter of
economy and politics, If that question submitted
to them the adoption of constitution There is
constitution strong enough to carry it there should the
people refuse to accept it institution There is
act capable of continuing its existence should it be found
to be useless and burden The whole matter must
after ALL be submitted to the people and the only ques
ton now is, how best to get all intermediate difficult
ties and to approach at to the final settlement.
1t cannot be question between the farce at Topeka
and the convention at Lecompton The former has had
claim for a slight recognition The latter with
all its defects enjoys the advantage of legitimate birth
and be made the means of amcable adjustment if
the popular voice only be heard above the din of
onal and factious combatants. Northern fanatics may
cry out that the adoption of the Leoompton constitution
stens slavery upon the Territory, whatever may be the
vote of the people upon this question but single glance
at the schedule of that constitution and into the future
existence of Kansas State with all its rights and i'm
munes, will show the folly OF all such alarm Let u.s.
therefore, have Kansas independent State 1t is
time to lament the foes of the past to grow in
dignant its outrages If there is any possible path
by which she into the confederation let ad
init her With the Lecompton constitution she cannot
violate the rights secured to her people by the doctrine of
popular sovereignty for the choice of the convention
which framed that constitution entirely in their
hands If majority of the people have failed to control
that convention let them blame their factious leaders,
and not Congress, which gave them the power nor
democratic administrations, which have defended
it, The folly which induced large body of the
voters of Kansas to avoid the election stands out in
he Of a m wifi IN
tate and excite when connected with present events
The convention at Lecompton was really opportunity
for peace Intriguers both sides have converted it
into a for We trust they will be disap
pointed They will be il the democratic party will look
and beyond the special embarassens of the pres
ent question: into the abstract right of the matter into
the powers of the convention into the true merits of the
State constitution divesed of all the intricate difficulties
which opponents have thrown around it. If the Le
compton convention had the power to submit their work
directly to Congress in their capacity representatives of
the people we see no reason why any circumstances Gre
ated by camorous opposition should destroy that pow
If constitutions have been brought before Congress
in similar way before there why should not
be done nowmore especially inasmuch as by such pro
ceeding the popular voice Is not sed We would defend
wrong, but would look for the most speedy relief
And think the admission Of Kansas State into the
Union would afford that relief without any violation of
the true meaning and intent of that act which established
her territorial existence and secured republican rights to
her people. -.ls5g fa
line IolOWlng artlcle from tne Lawrence, MaSSa-
chusetts) Sentinel is worthy of careful perusal
1t is perfectly apparent that those who make such
oucry in regard to the pursued by the Kansas
constitutional convention actuated by factious and
fault finding spirit rather than real solicitude for the
interests OF that Territory That is not only in
harmony with the principle Of popular sovereignty, but
supported by the most authoritative precedents in the
action of similar bodies in the of that of Ohio
We have yet to learn that aside from the simple ques
on of slavery slavery, which is to be decided by
the people in their primary capacity there is anything
else in the constitution in reference to which parties
in Kansas at issue would be at least becoming in
those who clanor against the method proposed for sub
mttng 1t to the popular test and who dcnounce the adj
ipstraon for its supposed acquescence in that pan to
show wherein this constitution whole is defective
repugnant to the sentiments of the people The oppo
on press have utterly failed to show any plausible pre-
text for supposng the citizens OF Kansas to entertain OBJ
jections to their constitution whole unless they de-
sire to reject for the purpose of continued agitation and
to keep her out of the Union bone of sectional
ention Indeed there is to apprehend that the
slavery majority rather than the minority with the
power in their hands to settle the slave embroglio in
their favor, design to perpetuate IL open ques
ton Hence manner of constitution, perhaps would
at present be acceptable to them.
So far the slavery clause Is concerned IL the people
reject there is end to the sectional controversy upon
that point and the peculiar institution beyond the pre-
existing rights of property in slaves forever excluded
when the constitution goes into effect The decision Of
trovesy; and touching the minor question respecting
the temporary rights of shareholders resident in the
Territory the provisions of the constitution just framed
at Lecompton almost identical with those of the To-
peka organization OF course that portion of the sched
ule which maintains the existing territorial laws in force