The Washington union., 1857-11-18
KANSAS AND HER CONSTITUTION.

KANSAS AND HER CONSTITUTION.
The vexed question is settled--the problem is
solved-the dead point of danger is passed-a Sc
rous trouble about Kansas affairs is over and gone
Kansas comes into the Union on the principle of the
great act which organized her and Nebraska as ter
ritoria 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 prosper
people.
We lay before our readers this morning the sched-
ule of the new constitution prepared by the con-
vention at Lecompton. The schedule is that part of
the constitution which provides for the transition
from the system which now is to that which is to he,
and prescribes in what it shall become bind
ing as the fundamental law Of the land In the de-
spatches received day or two since, this temporary
machinery, with which all new constitutions must
be preceded, is called a provisional government,
and some nervous persons perhaps were alarmed at
the revolutionary sound Of the words. 1t is the
scaifolding to be used by the people while they
putting up the permanent fabric of their rights and
then it will be used more In the mean time all
the Territorial laws remain in full force until the
stituton takes their place. except in so far this
schedule is used for carrying on the election.
This schedule submits the constitution to the
white inhabitants of Kansas acknowledges the peo-
pie of the State be the only tribunal that can
rightfully determine what its domestic institutions
shall be and gives full practical and fair effect to
the great principle Unpopular sovereignty. Onthe 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 slavery. If a
majority shalvotc in favor of slavery, then the pro-
vision which makes Kansas slave State will remain
in the constitution and in that shape it will be laid
before Congress. But if the greater number of bal
lots be cast the other way, that provision shall be
stricken out, and then every negro in the State,
hereafter to go there, shall be free except the few
who are now there in the legal condition Of servi-
tude.
The special details of the provisions for taking the
sense of the people, far we can judge of them
at this distance, seem to us admirably contrived
for Tile purpose. If il shall not result i'll true cx-
preston of the popular wishes II will be the fault
of the people themselves. Bu we have no right to
doubt that the election will be fairly conducted,
cheerfully submit to the will of the majority.
It is barely possible that ultra abolitionst 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
noon-day Let it be remembered that slavery was
established in Kansas by the constitution, and the
question is ON the abolition of it, Shall it be swept
out of existence at blow, without regard to the sa-
cred rights of property shall it be gradually ex-
tnguished? The Kansas Convention has decided in
favor of the former course and has resolved TO
deal with it all the other States in the Union dealt
with it-that is, abolish it prospectivey. What
crime has been committed by the slaveholding emil
grants in Kansas, who went there in good faith with
their families and servants, under the protection Of
the law and the constitution which gave them an un-
doubted right to do SO? Why is it that they should
be driven out of the State, or permitted to stay
only at the expense Of having their property con6s
cated2
We heartily congratulate the administration on
this auspicious event. The President, keeping his
eye steadily fixed on the constitution and the laws, and
turning neither to the right hand nor the left keptdi-
recy onward in the path lac had marked out for his
footsteps. This dgnifed and conscientious policy
policy which had no motive but the peace and
prosperity of the country--will be rewarded with
the triumphant success it deserves He the end
from the beginning. He never doubted that the
truth would prevail In the midst of all the bicker-
ing and contention North and South he bated no jot
of heart hope but preserved his unrued serenity
and his cheerful faith in the right.
The members of the convention are entitled to be
held in everlasting remembrance for adherng to the
great truths of the democratic creed in the midst of
temptations which tho virtue Of most men would
have been too weak to resist They were exposed
to the attacks of ultras both sides. The persua-
sions Of one and the taunts of the other were alike
calculated and alike intended to influence them in
favor of a wrong decision. II is not ofton that a
representative body is found pursuing the right
when it's friends and enemies are both inviting it
into the wrong. There are some names in that con-
vention which VIC shall delight to honor.
This news, so full of hope to every American pa
triot will bring to only one class of peo-
pie The black-republican politicians had all their
capital staed on the chances Of disorder and conf-
sion in Kansas. The enterprise has failed, and they
arc ruined The peace of the country, the prosperity
of the people and the safety of the Union is destruc-
ton to their hopes. We rejoice over it none the
r, III -