The Washington union., 1857-12-02
THE ACTION OF THE KANSAS CONVENTION
OPINIONS OF THE PRESS CONTINUED.
From the lawrence (Mass. ) Sentinel

From the Lawrence (Mass.) Sentinel
1t is perfectly apparent that those who make such
outcry in regard to the pursued by the Kansas
constitutional convention actuated by facous and
finding spirit rather than real socitude 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 as in the case of that Of
Ohio.
We have vet to learn that aside from the simple ques
ton of slavery or 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. II would be, at least becoming
in those who camor against the method proposed for sub
miting it to the popular test and who denounce the adj
mnstation for its supposed acquiescence in that pan
to show wherein this constitution whole is detective
or repugnant to the sentiments OF the people The op
position press have utterly failed to show any plausible
pretext supposing the citizens of Kansas to entertain
objections to their constitution whole, unless they
desire to reject for the purpose OF continued agitation
and keep her out Of the Union bone of sectional
contention Indeed, there is to apprehend that
the antisayery majority rather than the minority with
the power in their hands to settle tho slave embrog
Ito in their favor design to perpetuac it as an open
question. Hence no manner Of constitution, perhaps
would at present be acceptable to them
SO far the slavery clause is concerned the people
reject end to the sectional controversy upon
that point and the peculiar institution beyond the pre-
existing rights Of property in slaves is forever excluded
when the constitution goes into effect The decision of
this question In fact the whole ground Of
troyery and touching the minor question respecting
the temporary rights Of slavholders resident in the
Territory the provisions Of the constitution Just framed
at Lecompon 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
until superseded by Legislative code under the State
government is simply political necessity and does not
form component part of the new constitution.
Ii is always much easier to find fault with the
taken to accomplish given object than to propose
more feasible method of attaining the end The
hat az hall
be submitted whole, instead Of referring those points
upon which there Is known and admitted difference of
opinion But the fact must be apparent that its merits
and popularity ho never be ascerained by the
former mode of procedure Viii the slavery clause if
perfectly unexceptonabe in other respects it would be
sure Of rejection at the hands Of the free State party
and il submitted rod it. it would meet with an equally
decided opposition the part Of the southern advocates
and that entirely without reference to its general charac
ter. Its submission whole, therefore, would APP
proximate to perfect expression of the popu
lar viii of Kansas than if submitted IN the manner pro-
yded by the convention In either case it would amount
to nothing more less than decision of the only ma
terial point namely the slavery question More
over, its rejection whole with without slavery
would necessate the calling Of new convention, with
better understanding OF the subject prospect of
more successful issue of its abors and would besides
necessarily delay the admission Of Kansas into the
Union
1t is very evident that the adopted by the
vention not prompted by any ulterior purpose
unwillngness TO submit any constitutional question
the people but resoted to simply account Of the
difficulty nay the manifest impossbilty of arriving at
any satisfactory conclusion of their labo in any other
If its members, supposing them committed to
the interests Of the South had been afraid Of submitting
any question il would be that very question which they
have submitted and it is preposterous to suppose that
being willing to go to the balotbox with this they
should cndeavor, from any sinister motive, to withhold
any other On the whole, they have llndoub
edy adopted what they considered the best practicable
method to arrive at satisfactory solution Of existing diff
fculties and acqut themselves mparally Of the u
grateful task assigned them.
But ii our opponents mean to insnuate that the pres
ent administration win lend its influence TO impose con-
suon upon The people of Kansas which is adverse TO
their sentiments and contrary to their wi that Con-
gress will raty any constitution which may be presented
without careful examination of its provisions in refer
to their republican equity and adaptation to the
ceraned wants and wishes of that people, they stand in
the attitude Of base calumnato We but express the
ments and convictions of the administration and OF the
entire democratic press in saying that when the consu
to Of Kansas Is submitted to Congress- whether with
without the slavery clause shall appear be the work
of any party section framed with view to the
cuson Of settlers from the North South, with an
intent suppress the suffrage Of those already located
therein word II II Is found to contain any provision
which may warrant the suspicion that Is not free and
fair expression of the popular will, w in that case be
promptly rgesoi
The public however, have learned to understand that
this hue-and-cy about covey forcing slavery upon Kan
Is all device for political effect They know very
well that there at the head Of our national affairs an
administration with which such scheme would find no
favor and stand chance of And knowing this
not prepared to the that have
no grounds to belcvchat the trainers OF the consttu-
ton OF Kansas II disposed would attempt such
desperate game they are made to play in the columns