The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-01-14

We submit to our readers this morning an
other interesting chapter of newspaper extracts
upon the Kansas Lecompton constitution; and
it will be perceived that they indicate pretty
forcibly vigorous battle in Congress for the
said constitution, Notwithstanding the coup
Hetot of Mr.. Douglas and the Tammany Hall
black republican manifesto of Governor Wise.
First, it will be remarked that the Richmond
Enquirer, heretofore the devoted organ of Gov
ernor Wise, deliberately abandons him upon
this Kansas issue, and earnestly advocates the
admission of the new State under the Lecomp-
ton constitution. From this, we think Il may
be safely assumed that Governor Wise, in pam
dering to the anti-slavery sentiment of the
North, has ceased to be the lion of the Virginia
democracy. Next, we think the pressure Of the
public opinion of the South may be conjectured
from the fact that such decided anti-administra-
ton journals as the Richmond Wing and the Sa-
vannah Republican, are among the most jealous
supporters of the Lecompton policy of the Pre-.
sident -,H
But the most significant intelligence we have
received for many days u the report we give
this morning (by way of an appendix to the
newspaper extracts in question: of the pro-
ceedings and resolutions Of the late Indiana
Democratic State Convention. From these it
will be seen that, by nearly two-thirds vote,
the Convention endorses the Kansas policy Of
the administration, and declares the voice of
the Indiana democracy to be in favor of the ad-
mission of Kansas With her pro-slavery Lee
compton constitution.
With these encouraging manifestations of
public opinion, South and West, we are not dis
posed to believe that this Lecompton constitu-
ton is dead and done for. On the contrary, it
appears to be full of vitality; and with anything
like union among Southern men in Congress,
they may still use it successfully in behalf of
Kansas as a slave State, in consideration of the
two new free States of Minnesota and Oregon.
And why not. The position assumed by
Walker, Douglas and Wise will only protract
| the controversy and the sectional agitation
over this troublesome Territory; whereas, the
| immediate admission of Kansas as q sovereign
| State will at once transfer all the authority
over the matter, and all the responsibility,
| and all the agitation, to the people OF
| Kansas. No doubt Ex-Governor Walker,
Senator Douglas and Governor Wise, in
view of their own ambitious schemes,
would prefer to keep up this agitation; and of
all things in the world it is the policy and the
desire of the black republicans to keep this
Kansas discord burning at white heat till the
campaign of 1860. 1t is evident, too that the
rejection of the Lecompton constitution will
serve their purpose admirably; because, if this
constitution be rejected, it will most likely de-
lay the admission Of Kansas till the next session
of Congress, on account of the formalities re-
quired in the adoption of new constitution
And as the next session is limited to the 4th of
March, 1859, the admission of Kansas, if de-
ferred till next December, may go over by de-
fault to the ensuing Congress, and thus become
the most active element in q sectional recon
struction Of parties for 1860.
All sectional calculations of this sort, how
ever, would be defeated by the prompt admis-
sion of Kansas as slave State, in accordance
with her Lecompton constitution, and upon the
broad and good old principle of Southern
equivalent for q Northern free State or two.
to the people of Kansas from the adoption
of this policy? We understand that in
the recent elections touching the organize
ton of Kansas as State, the free State party
have secured the member to the House of
Representatives at Washington, and have also
gained the State Legislature. With these essen
tial points secured, and with four-fifths of the
voters Of the State to back them. what have
the local free State party to fear should Kansas
be admitted as slave StateS What ia to him
der their Legislature from Immediately provid-
ing for new constitution?-and what IL to
prevent them from making 1t as intensely
antislavery as that Of Vermont or Massaehu-
sets?
Whether the democratic members from the
free States in the two houses of Congress will
or will not afford the required assistance to the
South to secure the passage of the Lecompton
constitution, We are not prepared to say; but
there can be no doubt Of the real issue with the
South, nor any Misrepresentation Of the policy
devolving upon the men of the South. Their
true course, and their only course, IL TO de.
msnd the admission of Kansas under her Le-
compton constitution-frst, as a right which
they cannot surrender; and, secondly, as a sec
tionsl compromise. in view of the admission of
the new free States Of Minnesota and Oregon.
And let II be understood that with
the rejection Of the Lecompton constitu-
ton the Southern members of both
houses will in body withdraw from
Congress, and await outside the action.
upon the subject, Of their several State Lcgsla-
tures and we dare say that their Northern
brethren will soon be brought to full under
standing Of the exact merits of the case; but
should this warning fail TO secure the recogni-
ton Of the Lecompton constitution the crisis will
have arrived for the alternative indicated; and If
Southern men shrink from 1t, they will cease TO
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