The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-05-23
TERMs.-saOo PER Assus. N ADVANCE
The Free State Party-Its Policy.

= n n S.--$<UU Rkk ASaVAs N ADf&HS1
The Free State Party-Tts Policy.
A variety of opinion exists in Kan
sss in regard to the future policy Of
the Free State party. Though the
Topeka Convention of the 10th of
March was designed to bind up the
the future action of the party. yet it
by no means meets the entire approval
of the masses. In our opinion that
convention was premature in its as
sembling, though we are not disposed
to take issue with its action. We
thought, and expressed ourself, that
wisdom would suggest that the whole
matter be deferred until we knew what
position the national administration
would take not that we would con-
eede any right, let Mr.. Buchanan take
what course he would, but we could
act more intelligently with a full
knowledge of the policy which was
to prevail at Washington. But the
convention was held, its policy was
and the hands of the party
seem tied up its action, be its decision
good, or otherwise. That a large
number of the party in the Territory
take issue with that decision there is
no doubt; and it appears to US equal
ly clear that pro-slavery Constitution
will be submitted to Congress from
Kansas as the result of that action,
while. had a different policy prevailed
a different result might have been at
tanned.
Our friends in the States, the gen.
uine friends of Kansas, are also divid-
ed on this question. The National
Era and the New York Times lead of
in opposition to the action of the Con
vention while the N. Y. Tribune and
Evening Post endorse that action
1t will do mp here in Kansas to talk
about selling out q party" but nc
man will be so vile as to charge such
baseness on the Era or Times, or the
many other Republican journals we
find among our exchanges endorsing
the same policy.
If public sentiment was to be taken
In Lawrence or Topeka, we should find
but one opinion prevailing. but the
large number of letters before us from
all parts Of the Tsrritory, from leading
men. those who enjoy the entire con.
fdence of their respective neighbor-
hoods, and who are favorably known
by the party at large, tell US that there
will be divided action. We find this
fact existing. and it must be met, and
met, too, in the spirit of kindness, and
not, as many seem disposed, by dri-
wing out from the party all who thus
differ from the action of the conven-
tion of the 10th of March.
We have expressed our own opinion
on this subject. We are confident a
fair and impartial election is impossi
BILE. Fraud has characterized the
whole party which has called this con-
vention from its first organization down
to the present. They expect to triumph
by fraud, and their law was framed
with an express view to the permanent
enslavement of the people of Kansas.
They boast of their success, and are
elated with their prospect of victory.
A coordinate branch of the law
making power has decided in advance
that the Constitution thus formed shall
receive the sanction of the national
administration. That administration
unites in itself a majority of both
branches of Congress, and if James
Buchanan approves of the Constitu-
tion framed, however violent the op-
position, or powerful our remonstranee
it will be of no avail.
We wish to look the facts in the
face, and not deceive ourself, or be de-
eeived. If we have marked out a
line of policy which is clearly in the
wrong, or which will ultimate in
making Kansas q Slave State, it is our
province to right ourselves, and that
Immediately. If we have marked
out the true course let Us pursue it
regardless of consequences, to the end
The Herald Of Freedom, as all men
know, has never exercised or desired
the position of leader. It's province
has been to act with the masses, in the
most effective way possible to secure
the end in view, which was the making
otKansas free State. It has ever been
true to its position, and no violence.
or threats, or anathemas can drive it
from its course. Though it has ene-
mics, bitter, unrelenting ones, yet it
has thousands of true friends whose
sympathies are with us, and with the
cause it labers to advance Aspiring
demagogaes, whose hearts are STEPPED
in iniamy, may strut their brief hour
on the stage, AMI hurl forth their venom,
yet eur journal will IS Keep right on. "
As regards the matter in question we
do not wish to assume the response
bility of deciding the policy of the
party.
We are fully satisfied that the
stnowers that be'' have resolved II