The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1857-06-13

the Topeka Constitution, perhaps with a
slight modification in enc or two particu-
lars, could it be brought up regularly and
legally for the peoples endorsement. 1t
eomprehends the doctrines we are striv-
ing for. Its adoption makes Kansas a
free State. But what are the chances of
success, when the very movement con-
templaied to secure its adoption is rebel
lion against the government oftheU United
States. Is there not an easier mode of
accomplishing this than by committing
treason. Ii there is majority in this
Territory who are opposed to the institu-
ton of slavery, may not Kansas be made
free State without resorting to this ex-
| tremity. We commend these questions
to the earnest consideration of every hon.
est and conservative Free State man
We have spoken with much confidence
in regard to the actual strength of the To-
peka Convention party. 1t is proposed
to be shown upon what this assertion is
based. The immigration into the Terri
tory has amounted up to this time not
short Of $1,000 persons. This we regard
as low estimate-one in every five at
least should be voter Not to exceed
one in every ten of those coming into the
Territory are in favor of making Kansas
slave State. This leaves 5000 voters for
free State. We are convinced from fac-
tual observation and an extended ac-
quaintance, that not 1.-THE of this esti
mate are supporters of the Topeka organ
ization. All the party then it will have,
land the leaders NAV as we'll know it here
as any other place, that they cannot all be
depended upOn,) will be that number
which originally sustained this movement.
From this there might be made very
material subtraction, and come nearer
the real figures. Then it was that the
people had no other alternative; their
rights were trampled upon, their firesides
desecrated, their property destroyed, and
there was no chance to get justice done,
and no way of relieving themselves of
the usurpation thus forced upon them,
except to rise up, and in the majesty of a
free people assert the rights guaranteed
to them by the Constitution. There
is no such crisis now, and therefore no
necessity for such movement, and the
people will scarcely indulge in it as pas
time when it is fraught with such serious
consequences.
Ifthese figures do not suit, the Topeka
men will be glad to lean upon what they
base their assumption that the Topeka
Legislature is the Legislature of the peo-
pie. This meetingof the pretended rep
resentatives of the people is to take place
on the 9Th of June. See proclamation OF
the Topeka Governor. The body con-
venes as legislative body, and not as a
convention to consider grievances and pc
tition the general government for their
redress, and the administration of justice
towards them. The first inquiry that
arises when considering the legality and
policy of this movement, is who constitute
the executive head and the judicial and
legislative branches of this government?
And, secondly, when did they receive
the endorsement of the people for their
respective official trusts? The names of
the chief members of the government are
familiar to our readers. From the time
they were elected to the present nearly
two years have elapsed, and yetis claimed
that this Legislature represents the people
of the Territory What intelligence has
been received ofthe approval of DIR. Rob
inson as Chief Magistrate of the State of
Kansas, and Mr. Conway as the head of
the judicial department, by the people in
their primary assemblies? We have heard
of none.
1t would be well for those who support
this government to beware lest they make
themselves obnoxious to the same charge
they justly prefer against the Territorial
Legislature, and gain for themselves the
same unenviable distinction of a bogus te-
gistataTe.