The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-10-24
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The Coastnffeual Conysntion.
The following article we clip from the
Chicago Times of the 18th inst. The
Times is Stephen A. Douglas, organ in
Chicago. and is the leading Democratic
paper of the West. It tells which way
the tide is setting, and shows what We
have gained In the late election. Read
it, those who conceived we should gain
nothing though we did carry the Legis-
lative Assembly for freedom. Read it,
those who adjourned to meet at Lecomp-
ton on Monday last to frame Constitu-
ton for the people of Kansas, and if you
are sane take freeman's advice and ad-
journ sine die, without making greater fools
of yourselves than you have already done.
The Times is the voice of the 'Iittle
Giant" and it speaks out squarely. Read
the italics the second time, for it covers
the whole ground:-
Kansas to frame State Constitution fol
the Territory will soon meet again. They
cannot fail to have observed, what all the
rest of the world has observed, that the
voice of the people of Kansas is in favor
of Free State. We know not what may
be the purpose or the feelings of the dele
gates upon the question of slavery; but
the recent election has demonstrated that
nothing else than constitution which
shall exclude and prohibit slavery, will
be accepted by the people of the Terrific
~. That fact is so patent, that no man
can shut his eyes to it.
at was said that the convention when
elected was unanimously pro-slayery; that
we know to be untrue; We know that there
were many delegates who were in favor
of obeying the wishes of the people; and
a majority in favor of submitting their
action, no matter what it was, to popular
approval or rejection at the polls. What
that Convention will do, or what it will
not do, we have not the means of know
ing. But we know that any attempt to
force pro-slavery constitution upon the
people without the opportunity of voting
it down at the polls, will be regarded, af-
ter the recent expression of sentiment, as
so decidedly unjust, oppressive and un-
worthy of free people, that the people
of the United States will not sanction it
1t would add thousands to the vote of the
Republican party in every State of the
Union, and give to that organization, what
it has never had yet-a show of Justice
and truth. To the Democratic members
of that Convention, the course is plain
The people have decided in favor of Z
Free State, though they have not voted
ON the naked issue of "Free State" OF
"Slave State" they have voted practi.
cally in favor of Free State. Two-third:
of the Democratic party in Kansas have
voted with the Free State' party at the
recent election, in order to make the prop
er decision more emphatic. As Ke1ssa.
must be a Free State, eueB those person.
IN the Territory aobo are k7lOlVn as 'ipro
slaue'y' men, must recognize an tie lat
telectfoa decision q0lich must not b
sighted orput at defiance. 10 that erpres
sion Of the popular s0iU there should be {
graceful, If not cheerful submission. Kan
SGs is to be Free Statei That fact beins
ascertained, let the Convention frame
Constitution to suit her best interests up
on all other questions, and let the prohi
bition of slavery be put into it, clearly
and without bubble, plainly without dis
guise, explicitly, broadly, and firmly. LIE
the Convention then submit that ConSti
tuition to the people. If it be adopted
Kansas will come into the Union at the
next session, and the Republican party
will expire for want of sustenance. Ifany
members of the Convention desire to pro
long the controversy, or to have regula
direct vote upon Slave State and Ere,
State, let Free State Constitutional,
Topeka Constitution, Invested of such o
its provisions as time has shown to be un
suitable-and Slave State Constitution
be prepared. Let them both be submit
ted to the peopie--the vote to be Ere
State Constitution Yes or Free Stat
Constitution No. Slave State Consti
tuition Yes or Slave State Constitution
No. Let them, if they desire to vote i
favor of Slave State, have the opportu
nifty, but let the Constitution be submitte
; to the popular vote, and at an early day.
'Let the present Convention subrni
this matter to the people without delay
and have the long controversy settle
finally, and in the only effectual manne
that is possible. In six months after til
admission of Kansas, Black RepublicanisI
will be no more"
Its thrust at Black Republicanism is {
no account, so let it pass for what it
worth.