Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-03-02
THE wHOLECASE INAN NUTSHELL.

THE WHOLE CASE IN A NUTSHELL
As the Kansas question approaches s final result
it is well to look at it in practical way, and to con-
slider il as it stands Invested Of all the surroundings
which tend to befog and embarrass the public mind
1t is not necessary to pass judgment here, upon al
that has been said or done in and out ofhs Territory
in the past three years. to espouse the CAUSE OF the
violent partisaus, who have sought to this topic
for personal or political profit and advancement.
The question now claiming the attention Of Con
gress u.s. shall Kansas be admitted into the Union un
der the Lecompton Constitution The President
thinks such admission will at once give quiet to the
country, by removing exciting topic from the Halls
of Congress to the only proper pacefor its settlement
viz: the local tribunal which alone has power over it.
In this view nearly all the Democratic members OF
Congress concur and it seems probable that il will
receive majority of votes in both Houses unless ex
raordnary measures are taken to accomplish it's de-
feat.
The people of Kansas have had frequent opportuni
ties 10 vote and to take the control OF the machinery
for producing Constitution. They have declined,
unwisely as We think, to do 30, and have allowed
las they allege) a minority TO control the Conven.
ton. That Convention formed Constitution, and
submitted the slavery clause, the all absorbing ques
tion-to q popular vote The Free State men de-
clined TO cast their ballots and the Constitution with
pressed will of the people.
Thus the case now stands. The Free State men,
claim, and we suppose rightly 10 be a large MAORI.
y OF the electors in the Territory. Ifadmitted with
the LecomptOn Constitution, they have the power,
anv Time, to change lis provisions, aud to abolish
slavery. II, "a is now conceded they have elected
majority of the Legislature, Convention can be
called and new Constitution submitted in lieu OF
that framed at Lecompton, before the close OF the
present year.
OF the power to change the organic law Of the
State at any ne through the proper forms. there is
no longer any serious question Senator Wilson ad.
United this the floor Of the Senate and nearly the
whole Republican press copcede it. The Adminetra.
ton il committed to this view and of course will in.
erpose no objection. Indeed the President intimsed
in his special message, the pr"prety OF declaratory
clause to this effect in the Act of admission, aud ii
may not unlikely be adopted.
We have then the simple question, shall Kansas
be at once admitted under circumstances which ell
sure to her people the complete control Of their or
gsnic law, including the question OF slavery; or
shall she be kept out of the Union another year,
and the angry passions Of the country continue to
be disturbed, and the existence of the Union en-.
dsngered, all to no good purpose, and when the OBJ
iect sought can be easily and 80 quietly accom-.
plished Looking at the subject not as partisans,
but friends Of law aud order and Of the Union-we
urge the settlement of this in the readiest
and most feasible mode of making Kansas at once a
Stale, and referring TO her citizens the adjustment OF
their own domestic difficulties.
Let us have an end Of this tifesome aud uuProfita.
BILE controversy. The peace Of the country demands
it, the interest Of Kansas require it; the cause OF po
puar rights and Of freedom call for it.lN Y. Jour
atof Commerce.