Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1858-05-06
English's ViIIainous Compromise.


with the generality Of Republicans, the
anti Lecompton Democrats have proved
themselves unequal to the task of hold
ing out against the threats, brides, and
cajolery of the Administration. This
was demonstrated almost to certainty
when the committee Of conference on the
Lecompton bill was voted. 1t was appa-
rent to all that there was no need of con
ference Oh the part of anti Lecompton
men. They had declared that the peo-
nle Of Kansas should have the privilege
of voting directly upon their constitution
have the power of accepting or reject
ing it as a unit. The Crittenden amend
ment granted them this, but no more
than this and no less, to be true to their
position and pledges, could anti-Lecomp-
ton men accept. When, then, Mr.. ENG
LIsH moved for a committee of confer
ence, it was apparent that there was a
disposition to yacate the noble and Just
ground which he and his confreres had
taken, and willingness to sacrifice prin
ciple through some motives of expedi-
ency.
Well, the conference committee was
appointed. and what has been the result :?
Instead of holding out for this submis-
sion of the constitution, which be had
previousl y battled for, and declared to be
a sine qua non, Mr.. ENGLISH acquiesces
in an arrangement whereby that submis-
sion is at best only implied-an arrange
ment so obscure that some of its advo-
Gates in the House declared that the con-
slitution acas, and others that it acas not,
submitted.
The bill is, as near as we can ascer-
tain, (for we have not seen it) simply
this 1t provides substitute for the or
dinance relating to public lands, which
had accompanied the constitution, which
substitute grants to the State of Kansas
a dowry of several millions of acres
This ordinance is to be submitted to the
people of Kansas, and if they decide to
accept the dowry, then the president is
to proclaim the state admitted with the
bogus constitution. If, however, they
reject the gift, then they are authorized
to hold a convention for the purpose of
framing constitution preparatory to ad-
mission, Whenever census Of the terrific
tory shall shoao that 1t contains 90, $40 an
habitants! This bill, then, it will be
perceived, offers a large bride for the ac-
ceptance of the constitution, and for its
rejection imposes the penalty of terri
torial government for years-for it will
take some years yet for Kansas to obtain
the requisite population. 1t gives her no
alternative but Slavery-she must either
be a slave state or slave territory-for
! as territory she will be ruled by the
same pro-slavery influences which have
heretofore ruled her. This bill also
leaves out the declaratory clause which
the original contained, that the people
should have the privilege of altering
or amending their constitution at any
time they may deem proper, and if they
! accept that instrument there is but little
doubt that they will be compelled to live
under it until such time as the constitu-
ton itself makes provision for its altera-
ton.
There is another rule established by
this bill, which we opine is novelty in
American legislation, and shows how
fully the National Government is under
the dominion of the oligarchy. 1t de-
clares that while 10000 persons (for this
is greater population than is now claim
ed for Kansas is sufficient for the form
alton of slave state, it requires $4,000
to make a valid free state. If Kansas,
it asserts, will come in slave state, then
her population of 33, 900 is all sufficient,
but If she will insist upon coming into
the Union with the banner of freedom,
then she must wait until she is trebly
strong. Let Northern Democrats, who
have preached of abolition encroachment
on Southern rights, ponder this matter.
This is new and cardinal principle with
their party leaders. Are they wiling to
to endorse it?
-Ana this Jill has become lar! BY the
support of ENGLIsn and some half dozen
renegade anti-Lecompton Democrats, with
the full Lecompton strength, it passed
both the Senate and House on the 3oth