Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-11-25

oombast, Inappropriate and IN Oao taste ''S ooni-
ing from the Governor of the Commonwealth, 1t
is nevertheless adroitly seasoned with that sor'
of savory sentiment which will render it palata-
BILE to the National Democracy of the North.
Present Aspect of Kansas Affairs.
The Kansas Convention has adopted State
Constitution and adjourned, but the peace and
quietness so much desired seem to be as lar Oh
as ever. The action of the Convention, indeed,
is by no means calculated to allay the excite
ment.
There were two propositions before the Con-
vention: LIST. To submit to the people the slave
clause only, in this shape, "constitutlon with
slavery constitution without slavery" End
To send up the constitution to Congress without
submitting it at ALL The Douglas wing OF the
Convention advocated the former, and the ultra
Southern men the latter, while the Free State
party opposed both and demanded the suomls-
sion of the entire constitution to the popular
vote. The Dougasites, however, carried the
day, and we are to witness the farce of popu-
lar vote upon question already decided IN the
negative by an overwhelming majority of the
people. ta
During the last days of the Convention the
debates were particularly stormy. Mr.. John
Randolph, pro-savery delegate from Atchison
county, said he considered the first proposition
swindle. The idea of submitting one clause OF
the Constitution, he said, aud not allowing the
people to vote on the whole, was mean, coward
ly and infamous it was worse than swindle,
it was scoundrelisml He ridiculed the idea that
the love of Democracy and the principles OF free
suffrage actuated the Nationals" Tor Douglas
men) in the Convention. 300.
Mr.. Wells, of Douglas county, opposed both
reports. He denounced in bitter terms those
who were designated as Abolitonists in the
Convention. They were all National Demo
Gratis; there was not Black Republican among
them. Although he considered Republicans as
enemies to the Constitution and country, yet
they were citizens and entitled to voice in the
institutions under which they must live.
Gen. Calhoun, of Illinois, the leader of the
Douglas party, candidly avowed his motives for
desiring the submission of the slavery clause on
ly. BY this plan they would compel the Adolf
tionists to vote for the Constitution, while they
were voting down the slave clause, no matter
how repugnaut it might be to them. I'm this
way we have got them tight" said he, "and
they can't help themselves" Thus Kansas would
come into the Union as Democratic State, like
| Illinois!
The Constitution, it is said, legalizes all the
laws passed by the former Legislature, including
the "black CODE" which Furnishes with death
those who oppose slavery. 1t also contains 9TH
err provisions obnoxious to the Free State party,
and hence their desire for an opportunity to pro-
nounce upon the whole instrument. What course
they will pursue in reference to the matter is
not known, but it is evident that the end of the
excitement has not yet come.
In addition to the above anomalous proceed
ings, the Convention undertook to provide for
provisional Government" of the Territory, and
the displacement of the present Territorial OH
GERS without waiting for the action OF Congress
upon their Constitution. The vote of the peo-
pie on the Constitution is to be taken on the 2lst
of December, and the instrument will be trans
United to Congress with or without the slave
clause as may be decided by the popular voice ;
and on the first Monday in January general e.
lection is ordered for State officers with the ex
ception of Judges,) members of the Legislature
and a member OF Congress. This course, says
the National Intelligencer, "not only evcts the
Federal authorities, but by superseding the
members elect of the present Territorial Legis-
lature, as also the Territorial delegate elect to
Congress, renders nugatory and barren the late
victory of the Free-State party-an incident
more to be feared for its apparent motives than
from any practical advantage or disadvantage
which will probably accrue from it to the one
or the other of the eontending parties"