The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1858-05-29
From tie Gecdaad PzaiHdsGle'

Such is the heading with which the
New York Times introduces to the read
ers of its issue of the 9Th inst, lengthy
correspondence from Kansas, occupying
nearly FIVE closely printed columns OF that
paper. The editor of that Republican,
but tolerably Independent sheet, sent a
special correspondent TO Kansas man
WHO has been in TO way mixed up with
the past struggles there-directing him to
take advantage of every means that could
be brought within his reach to inform
himself OF the true state of affairs, the co.,
dition of parties and the political prospects
of the Territory. This gentleman tells
us. that since the hour of his arrival in
that Territory it has been his constant
effort to ascertain the exact sentiment of
its people upon political questions. To
this end he has visited its largest towns,
which have been the theatres of the great
est excitement in the past, and travelled
over the more settled districts. He has
prosecuted the investigation on board of
steamboats, and stage coaches, in hotels,
and in the cabins of humble settlers. He
has sought the farmers IN their fields,
away from the cities-the mechanics in
their shops-the Masses everywhere,
when opportunity for a word presented
itself. lie thinks, therefore, that he has
obtained the material upon which to base
clear. independent, and dispassionate
opinion Of affairs, although it must be
confessed" says he, "that every man here
is so intense in his feelings upon political
matters that it is exceedingly difficult to
discriminate between unvarnished truth
and highly colored exaggerations when-
ever he attempts the narration of facts"
The manner in which this gentleman's
statements are put forth, is guarantee of
their candor. The letters here given were
written when it was impossible to foretell
what the action of Congress would be
upon the Lecompton question, and they
were therefore unbiased by the turn which
political parties took in the final DISPOSE
ton of the question.
The account which is given of the
present position of political parties in the
Territory, confirms the previous statements
of gentlemen familiar with matters there.
that Kansas must inevitably be a free
State, and will very probably hold radi
cal position upon the slavery question.
Indeed, it is asserted that there are not
no,o, probably, .tfve hundred pro slavery men
in all Kansas. As for Lecompton, 1t will
not have the least show of chance Of
being accepted by the people-no one
there daring openly to avow himself in its
favor.
Much difference of opinion existed as
to the Leavenworth Constitution. Some
are DESTROYS of ratifyiDg it as means of
battling the LecOmpton instrument, while
many regarded the convention which
framed, it as not having been legally called
together.
But by far the most interesting state
ment of this witness is this: that the peo-
pie of Kansas will be better pleased with
the bill which has DOW (but had not at the
time of his writing) passed Congress, than
to come In now even as free State. He
says:
''The people of Kansas are not anxious
to come into the Union at all, at present.
The greater portion of them are very poor,
having been impoverished by the civil
pended all their little means in making
their locations, settling their presumption
claims, and making the Improvements
upon their farms indispensable to subSis-
tence. If they could be relieved of the
unjust judges that infeSt the Territory,
all but the office-seekers and their imme-
diate friends would prefer to remain in q
Territorial condition for some time longer,
with Uncle Sam TO pay expenses. The
proposition understood to have been made
in the Committee of Conference in Con-
gress, submitting the Lecompton Consti-
tuition 20 q vote of the people, and, if it be
rejected. providing that Kansas shall re-
main in Territorial condition until she
has sufficient population to entltle her to
Representative in COngress-,giN be more
satisfactory euen than the Crittenden- Mont
qon,er-y amendment. This will suit large
class for another reason, to wit: that the
postponement of an election for United
States Senators year or two would tend
to shelve Gen. Lane altogether-for radi-
calism is certain to be followed by re-
action as soon as the asperities of the past
soften sufficiently to permit less excited
and therefore wiser counsels to be enter
tanned. In this respect Gov. Robinson
stands much better than Gen. Lane-be-
cause, while the election of the former as
one of the Senators is also conceded now
his chances are not likely to lessen under
the reaction"
Our readers will recollect that during
the last two or three weeks that the Lee
compton Bill was pending in Congress, we
noticed the fact as evidenced in the re,
cent news from this Territory, that there
was growing hostility there to prevent ad.
mission into the Union and for precisely
the reason above stated. Thus has this
controversy terminated in manner the
most fortunate, for the people most to b.
affected by it.
Upon this subject the Times editoria
says:
"A very large portion of the people dc
not desire admission just at present. Sc
far from considering their exclusion pun.
ishment they viii receiveit as a boon
They are not prepared to shoulder the ex.
pense of State Government They
have been so long and so seriously har-
raised by the party conflicts which have
prevailed, their business has been so much
interrupted, and the growth and prosperi
ty of the Territory has been SO much re.
tarded, that they would greatly prefer 6
Territorial regime for year or two longer
to immediate admission as State. They
prefer that the Federal Government should
pay their expenses, rather than subject
themselves to taxation for that purpose
The threat " therefore, which has beer
embodied in the Conference bills not like.
" to affect the vote on the Lecomptor
Constitution. 1t is certain, as Governors