Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-12-01

Il
man of high character and qualifications, and would,
doubtless M the place to The entire satisfaction Of all
parts of the State. We hope the East will come for
ward in body aud do justice 10 the West by aiding
in the election of Gen. Chapman some other west.
ern man to the place of Speaker. VALLEY
THE ACTION OF THE KANSAS CONSTITU-
TIONAL CONVENTION-OPlNlO OF THE
DEMOCRATIC PRESS.
From the Bridgeport (Ct) Farmer
The black letter writers in KHnsas, a few DAYS
since, stated with terrible howl that the Kansas
Constitutional Convention had adopted pro-slavery
clause by almost unanimOrS vote, and refused to
submit the question in any shape to the people The
fact is however, that the question is distinctly refer
red to the people, and they will thus have i! directly
in their power 10 decide whether the State shall be
tree or not. The reservation of the right Of property
in those slaves already there - no more than just to-
wards those who such property, sud il, no doubt
agreeable to the wshrs Of niue trnths of the slaves
themselves, who are amos! invariably averse to q
change of masters. They stated also that "provi
aionsl government" had been established, with Gene
rul Calhoun for Governor, tn immediately supersede
Governor Walker and the present authorities. But
the fact is no such government WAS instituted, if
il even was thought OF, and no change is authoriz
ei or contemplated till January, after the Consttu.
lion has been ratified by the people. They likewise
made a great noise about the clause which provides
that the Constitution shall not be amended till 1862
though similar provision is in their Topeka Const
tiOn with further clause prohibiting alterations, az
ter that date, oftener than in five years. They
made outcry too, about the provision authorizing
the President of the Convention, instead Of the Gov
ernOr, to issue writs Of electionas if il
thing entirely unheard et b-iore-when the fact is it
has been common practice, and was done in the
case Of Ohio Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Missouri,
m we'll as other Stscs. On all these points the ca
NOR of the blacks has been false and unfouuded.-
Considering the bitterness of feeling that exists
among the majority Ut the Convention towards the
insurrec,ionsry agents aud tools Of the Boston Abol
on Emgrant Society, we think they are entitled to
commendation for the liberaty they have displayed.
Had they in fact refused To refer the Constitution to
the people in any form, restricted the right Of vo.
ting thereon to such We're registered at the coDst
tutiona election, the Boston agents and their follow.
ors would have had just right to complain nor any
claim 10 particle of public sympathy, because at
that election they had the power to choose such dele
gates as they f and through them control the
Convention.
From the Philadelphia Argus.l
We earnestly beg the most careful attention OF our
readers TO the very able article which copy to-day
from the Washington Union upon this important
question. 1t is not only written with great ability
but ID conclusive in it, logic and facts 1t leaves not
loop.hoe for cavil, doubt, or discussion.
The Black Republicans the conglomeration OF ne
gro advocates traitors the Constitution and the
Union, the trcksers and faciOnists who make up the
opposition party TO the Democracy, have had new life
by the aid and comfort" which has been extended to
them by daily morning paper published in this city
which was protesSediy established to advocate Demo.
cratic doctrines and defend Democratic principles
The abotionist organs thrown into spasmodic
delight at finding their long Cherished ideas obtaining
utterance and endorsement In professedy DeRo-
cratic paper. The New York Tribune is in ecsfs.
ny of pleasure that its inischievous and fanatical
opinions have been tactly acknowledged tu be sound
and lust by being promulgated through Democratic
al Tha NpyCY riprR irpr6 6n1s
an echo to its doctrines in the Press OF Pbiadel
pha. 1t is matter that fills us with profound amaze
ment and alarm that We have 10 acknowledge the
painful and humillatng fact that our worst political
foes at the present time are those Of our own house.
hold.
We have higher Than mere human authority for
saying that he that is not for us is against US. There
can be no middle ground of neutrality-no halfway
house between political truth and political error. This
test or standard ia an iD!alible one. They who are
not engaged with the whole heart and soul on the
democratic side who only protessedly advocate demo.
cratic opinions for q profitable consideration, who
merely 'act with the party" because it affords good
living and respectable position, but who take no
further interest in il, not only no help to but
in most cases hndrance to our prospery, and
dead WEIGHT to party and our cause. They exert
an embarrassing and discoursgin2 influence we do
not know where to find them; they are ready to be-
come all things to all men, if The pay and perquistes
are only large enough They to our party what
.ad limbs are TO tree, and cannot be Topped Oh
moment too soon.
We do not ssk we do not expect, that those who are
with us should be compelled ~ agree with the majority
in every trng matter that may come up for discussion
in ali the minute and unimpOrtant matters tina,
may pass under examination; but We do ask, we dc
expect, that in great fundamental doctrines there
should be entire unity of faith, perfect harmony Of
| opinion. We do not desire or demand that Demo
cratic editor should always be compelled TO say dt
to to Mr.. Burke in discussing the political topics o
| the day; very far from asking that an iron
bedstead should be erected to stretch out those who
are too short 10 their political stature too tall in
| their altitude; we make no such despotic rules aa
would require OF public journalist that In order TO
show bis featy to the party, he should become oasey
subservient n every thought and opinion 10 tne oe
clared policy Of the administration IN unlmportan'
matters but when the Democratic party nave care
| fully examined, rigidly scrutlnzed, and cheeriuily
| adopted particular policy IA the rule OF ns action
| end government, then il becpmes species OF urea
son to the party to oppose the measure either openly
or insidiousy-either to crafty private pque, per-
sonal aljeslousy, from any other cause Inc conduc
tor even Of the humbes journal in the country occu
pies a centre of large influence. and il is incumbent
nnon all such TO exert their highest powers for the
| nrotrctiou and promotion Of sound principles snC
| 1ood Government, be their private grefs what they
may. ,.,n
The result is. that the free.State psrty-~whch bal
undoubtedly been itching for excuse for staying
away from the polls, and allowing pro slavery con
stitution TO be adopted-refuses to be satis6ed
declares its determination to take no part in the set
emsnt of the question at ISSUE Because it is not L
be allowed to vote down Constitution against which
it cannot offer single valid objection, and iu refer
to any of the features of which there has neve