The weekly Minnesotian., 1857-12-05

Organ Speaks--The Kansas COnstitu.
ton not to be Submitted to the PeO.
pie.
From the Washington Union, (Odscial) Of Noo. 1s,
The vexed question is settled-:he prob
lem is solved-the dread point of danger is
passsed-aH serious trouble about Kansas
affairs is over and gone. Kansas comes into
the Union on the principle of the great act
which organized her ard Nebraska as terri
torial governments. Another star is added
to the Republican constellation, not shining
on scenes of terror, conhagration and blood,
but lending its light to the peaceful pursuits
of contented and prosperous people.
We lay before our readers this morning
the schedule of the new Constitution prepar-
ed by the convention at Lecompton. The
schedule is that part of the Constitution
which provides for the transition from the
present system which now is to that which
is to be, and prescribes in what manner it
shall become binding as the fundamental law
OF the land. In the dispatches received
day or two since, this temporary machinery,
with which all the new Constitutions must
be preceded, is called a PROVISIONAL Gov
ERNMENT, some nervous persons perhaps
were alarmed at the revolutionary sound of
the words. 1t is the mere scaffolding to be
used by the people while they are putting up
the permanent fabric of their rights, and
then it will be used no more. In the mean
time all the territorial laws remain in full
force until the Constitution takes their place,
except in SO far as this schedule is used for
carrying on the election.
THIS schedule submits the Constitution to
the white inhabitants of Kansas acknowl-
edges the people Of the new State to be the
only tribunal that can rightfully determine
what its democratic institutions shall be and
gives full, practical and fair effect to the
great principle of popular sovereignty. On
the 2lst day of December next the electors
may meet at their proper places of voting,
and express their opinions by ballot on the
question Of Slavery or no Slavery. If a ma
jOrty shall vote in favor Of Slavery, then the
provision which makes Kansas Slave State
will remain in the Constitution, and in that
shape will be laid before Congress. But if
the greater number of ballots be cast the
other way, that provision all be stricken
ont, and then every negro in the State, or
hereafter tp 60 there, shall be free, except
the few WHO are now there in the le-
gal condition of servitude.
The special details of the provisions for
taking the sense Of the people, so far as we
can Judge of them at this distance, seem to
US mirably contrived for the purpose. If
it snail not result in a true expression OF tie
popular wishes, it shall be the fault of the
people themselves. But we have no right to
doubt that the election will be fairly con-
Quoted or that the defeated party, whichever
it may be, will cheerfully submit to the will
of the majority.
1t is barely possible that an untra- Aboli-
tionist here and there may take EXCEPTION
TO THE PROVISION WHICH PROTECTS THE SLAVE
PROPERTY NOW IN THE TERRITORY. But the
justice and propriety of this is as clear as
MONDAY. Let 1T be remembered that sla-
very was established in Kansas by the Con-
stitution, and the question is on the abolition
of it. Shall it be swept out of existence at
a blow, without regard to the sacred rights
of property, or shall it be gradually extin-
guished? The Kansas Convention has de-
cided in favor of the former course and has
resolved to deal with il as all the other
States in the Union dealt With it-that is,
abolish it prospectyely. What crime has
been committed by the slaveholdng emf
grants in Kansas, who were there in good
faith, with their families and servants, under
the protection Of the law and the Constitu-
ton, which give them an undOubted right to
do so? Why is it that they should now be
driven out of the State, or permitted to stay
only at the expense of having their property
confscatcd?
We heartily congratulate the Adminstra-
tion on this auspicious event. The Presl-
dent keeping his eye steady on the Oonsttu-
ton aud the laws, and turning neither to the
right hand nor the left, kept directly onward
in the path he had marked out tor his foot
steps. This dignified and conscientious pol
icy-a policy which had no motive bnt the
peace and prosperity of the country-will be
rewarded with the triumphant success it de
serves. He saw the end from the beginning
He never doubted that the truth would pre-
vail In the midst of all the pickering and
contention North and South he bated no lot
of heart or hope, but preserved bis unruffled
serenity and his cheerful faith in the right
The members of the Convention are enti-
tied to be HELD IN EVERLASTING REMEM
BRANCE FOR ADHEEING TO THE GREAT TRUTHS
OF TUE DEMOCEATIC CREED in the midst OF
temptation which the virtue of most men
would have been to weak to resist. They
were exposed to the attacks Of ultras on
both sides. The pursuason of one and the
taunts of the other were alike calculated and
alike intended to influence them in favor of q
wrong decision. 1t is not often that a repre-
sentative body is found pursuing the right
when its friends and enemies are both invit
ing it into the wrong. There are some name;
in that Convention which we shall delight tt
honor.
This news, so full of hope to every Amer
ican patriot, will bring sorrow to only one
class of our people. The Black-Republicar
politicians had all their capital IN the chance:
OF disorder and confusion in Kansas. The
enterprise has failed, and they are ruined
The peace of the country, the prosperity o
the people, and the safety Of the Union, ii
destruction to their hopes, We rejoice ove'
it none the less on that account. They hat
their day when their tools and hirelings ir
Kansas were filling the Territory with alarms
and agitating the whole country when they
employed the press, the pulpit, and the ros
trum, to echo the shrieks with which the,
no ed to friyht the public mind from it
lrOpriety. lnOSe were the DAYS Ol O!eeu
ing Kansas" and then Abolitionism waxet
mighty +; peaceful and quiet Kansas comm!
into the Union on the broad platform 0
equal, constitutional rights, will consign i
again to its original nothingness.
We are glad to say, in addition, that near
ly all the members Of the Convention VIII,
were opposed to the submission, have finall.
yielded to the justice and propriety of it.
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