The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1858-05-15
rEnxs.-...so PER Assun. IN ADVANCE
Here shall the Press the People. rights maiataII
UEaw'd BY party. and nnbFi5ea by gain,
Pledged butte Truth, to Liberty and Law.
Nc Favor sEays as, and no Fear shall awe.
The Three Constitutions.

Contingency. when that contingency
passed away it was proper for the people
to withdraw support from it, and let it fall
to the ground of its own weight. How
ever hard we all labored to make it ap-
pear that the Topeka Constitution was
the result of the action of the PEOPLE of
Kansas, Independent q party, every intelli-
gent person in the Territory and out of it
knows, it toas the product Of a party-that
none but the Free State party, and only a
portion of them participated in it, others
believing and urging that it was i'm
polite and ill-adyised, and that the ten
dency was to entangle us still further
in our difficulties. Had that Topeka Con-
stitution been adopted by Congress and
made the fundamental law of Kansas, civil
war would have grown out of it. The
pro-slayery party, and the more moderate
Free State men who had no voice in franz
ing it, would have refused to recognize it,
and though greatly in the minority, yet
they would have considerably embarrassed
the government. Looking out upon the
past, there is hardly man of any party
who is not rejoiced that the Topeka Con-
stitution was defeated.
The second Constitution, the one framed
last fall at Lecompton, was also partisan
affair. The pro-slavcry party only par
ticipated in getting it up, and only por-
ton of them, the more moderate conceding
that it could never amount to anything
would only embarrass the people ard de-
stroy their. party. Ten thousand acts of
Congress, and hundred millions of pub
lie domain would have been the same
thing. If endorsed by Congress, it lacked
the approval of the people, and they, al
most to man. would labor to overthrow
it. So great was the hostility to that in
strument, it would have required the
greatest exertion to have induced the peo-
pie to allow it to go into operation for a
single day, just long enough to make pro-
vision for the formation of another gov
eminent. And all this because it was a
party affair-because the PEopLE-the
masses of all parties, had no voice in franz
ing it. Ifit had been the reflex of the pop
ular sentiment-or had all parties partici-
pated in the elections under it, then the
case would have been different. As it is,
when submitted to the people, it will be
defeated by almost unanimous vote
Some think it better to accept it, with the
view of using it as stepping stone to a
new government but the people every
where win oppose this. If the Constitu-
ton had been forced upon them by Con-
gress, then it would have been used to
institute government of the people, but
for US to accept it voluntarily for that pur-
pose, would be gross wrong, which can
not be thought of fo- moment. IL must
be eotei doion, and it is but just to our
friends who have fought our battles for
lis with SO much zeal in the States. and
IN Congress, that we should make that
vote as large as possible. We owe this,
not only to the Republican members OF
Congress, but to Senator DOUGLAS and
those Democrats who have co-operated
with him, and to Gov. WALKER and Sec,y
STANTON; but also, ice Que it 10 ourselves.
The Leavenworth Constitution is also
partisan affair, and is liable to the same
objections to which the others are subject.
True, the law calling the Convention into
being was fair, and all parties could have
participated in the election; but while
that party had their ConStitu ton pending
in Congress, it would have been unreason.
able for them 10 have participated in the
framing of new Constitution. The Pro-
Slavery party only acted as the Free State
party would have acted under like circum-
stances. They, of course feel that i,
would bs gross wrong upon them to
make the Constitution Fundamental
law OF Kansas. But it is not Pro- Slave.
~ men alono who would feel outraged
The more moderate of the Free State
party did not participate in the election
for delegates TO the Convention, and took
no interest whatever in the contest, be.
cause they were conscious it would
amount to nothing. We know that such
were the reasons which kept thousand.
Out OF the election, and which gave the
control of the Convention to the radicals
And Yet. here is faction who are de-
tefHalned to push the Leayenworth Con.
ssitntion onto the people. They wish to
keep up agitation year or two under II
though they are conscious that such aei.
sation viii brighten away or keep thou.
sands oatcf the Territory, who otherwise
would settle among us.
Let Us clear the field of all these Con.
siitutioIs. by voting each of them down
IN the order they are presented. Lat Rad.
ieals and Conservatives and Pro- Slayerv
men. and all others. if there are Others
come up to the polls and do an act OF sim pie
justice to their political opponents, BY
wlping out " these Objectionable instru.
msnts. Then, as the Slavery question is
conceded to be settled, let us discuss these
other great questions which wa wish en-
grated IN our lLagna Csarta. Then, a
year or two hence, We can form Cons;i.
tuition which shall bear upon It's face The
impress Of wisdom. Then, uniblluencea
b. passion. we can act intelligensly and
coolly upon the questions of universal sui.
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