The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-11-21

it provides that the Legislature shall not
emaneipate those slaves now there or
which may hereafter be broEght to the
Territory, without compensation to the
owners. These are trihing matters conf
pared with the next provision which pro-
hibits the Legislature from passing any
law for the prevention of the Introduction
of slaves by eInigrants to the Territory.
This amounts to perpetual invitation
and protection to the introduction of sla-
very into Kansas 1t is virtually an es-
tablishment of slavery as an institution ef
the State, not to be disturbed by ans
Legislative act. We regard such 4sroio-
osition as fatal to the Constitution. The
people of Kansas have recently, in most
emphatic manner, decided that they are
in favor of the exclusion of slavery from
Kansas. It is idle for the Convention to
disregard that decision; they cannot hope
that the people of Kansas will accept from
such Convention Constitution making
slavery perpetual institution ever which
the people through the Legislature can
never exercise any control. We say the
fate of that Constitution is already sealed;
the people of Kansas are in favor-in the
proportion of three. to one-of q Free
State; they want a Constitution making
Kansas Free State, and they will vote
down any Constitution which does not
clearly establish their expressed viii.
Regarding the Constitution, as prepared
by this Convention, as beyond all possi-
bility of adoption, the question is what
will be done next? Kansas has popu-
lation justifying admission into the Un-
ion. A Convention 10 frame Constitu-
ton was called, but the people refused to
participate in the election of delegates,
and handful of voters elected the hand
full of men who compose the present con-
vention. The Free State men had they
resorted TO the polls could have elected a
Convention which would have carried out
the wishes of the people, and to day Kan
sas might have a Constitution forever dis
posing of the slavery question. That
failure to vote in June last, has caused a
years delay. What is to be done? We
suppose that upon the meeting of Con-
gress, an act will be introduced-an act in
the very words of the Minnesota act-au-
thorizing Convention to frame State
Constitution. If that act be passed at
ouce, as it should be, Kansas may be a
State in Nav next. IF no such act be
passed by Congress, OF should be delayed
the present Legislature will provide for a
Convention, at all events Constitution
such as will be acceptable to the people,
will be prepared and ratified by the peo-
pie, and will be presented TO Congress
early in the spring. Upon that Constitu-
ton, thus ratified and approved by the
people, Kansas will be admitted. The
Democratic party stands pledged to adj
nit Kansas without questioning her de-
cision on the slavery question. That de-
cision must be made by the people, and
once perfectly made, that decision must
be regarded as final.
These men throughout the Union who
have so long and earnestly desired the ad-
mission of Kansas as Free State, must
now see the consequences of the mad ca
reer of Lane and his associates. The re-
fusal to vote at the election of delegates
has postponed the admission of Kansas,
and endangered her freedom Had these
men voted then as they did in October,
the State of Kansas would now be prepar-
ed for admission with Free State Con-
stitution, and Democratic party in power
pledged to her admission. She has now
to commence, as in June last, and elect a
Convention in 1857, that might have
been elected in 1856.
There is some talk about the revival of
the Topeka Constitution that is mere
folly. That Constitution viii never be
recognized by the country The friends
of KaEsas-those who wished to see her
people have free and fair expression of
opinion, and that expression freely and
fairly car ied out-hold that Topeka job
in deteStation. If the present Conven-
ton adopts pro-slavery Constitution, lie:
the people turn out and vote it down; and
leave to new Convention, TO be elected
by the people, the pleasing duty of car
rying oGt the viii of the majority. Let
the regular legal path be followed, and
allow no evil eounSelors to lead the Ter
! ritory into more violence and confusion
by any reasonable, illegal or shortcut
proceedings. Let the people of Kansas
remember that they now have it in their
power to have Constitution to suit them
selves, and they will be their own worst
enemies if they forego that opportunity
by taking any further part in the Topeka
swindle.