The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-03-10
THE LONDON TIMES IN FAVOR OF THE LIE
COMPTON CONSTITUTION

THE LONDON TIMES IN FAVOR OF THE LIE
COMPTON CONSTITUTION.
The London Times of the 18th instant takes the
following view of the Lecompton question:
We are So much bound-not by geographical
links only, but by policy alliances and national in
terests-tO the Old World, that even now, when
the United States have become a frstrate Power
and British America counts more than three mil
hons of inhabitants, most of us skim over with in
difference every piece of unconnected with
business which comes from the other side of the
Atlantic. The Continent of Europe still maintains
its supremacy in our interest and attention and a
question relating to some third-rate kingdom, or
some halt-cvilized and distant province is discussed
at greater length than the most important concerns
of the New World.
We will not apologize to our readers for supposing
that they have little accurate knowledge of the an
sas question All of have feeling against slav-
cry, and are aware that in Kansas Pro-savery
party and an Abolition party have been in deadly
strife for the last three four years. But of the de-
tails we presume most people are ignorant not from
want OF the opportunity of knowledge for every let
ter from the States is to be full of the matter
but from the complexiy of the subject and from our
habltual indifference to American affairs. But as
1t is universally agreed that the crisis has come
and as the question does certainly present many
points of interest, we may enter for a moment on
the rough and chartless sea of American politics,
and endeavor to discover what is the issue which
all Republican eyes fixed.
President Buchanan has just sent to Congress
Message on the affairs OF Kansas, in which he takes
the side of the Prosavery party on legal grounds,
and advises that Kansas should be admitted as a
State. with the constitution framed by the Con
stitutional Convention recently assembled. This
constitution establishes slavery, and was set
| tied by assembly for the members of
which most of the Freesoilers abstained from
voting. The argument of the President is that
even if it be true, declared that the ma
Jorlty OF the inhabitants of Kansas are Free
~soers, yet they abstained from voting for the
members of Convention legally called, they must
be bound by the minority, who exercised their
rights; and, should they wish to overthrow slavery
they must wait until Kansas is duly constituted
State, and then strive to have another Conven-
ton nominated to undo the work of the last
| The President begins by declaring that the
whole party which refuses to acouiesce in the
legitimacy of the Lecompton Convention, and
which sets up the Topeka Constitution law,
are rebels against the authority of the United
States and fall little short of the guilt of the Nor
mons. This is, indeed, a severe blow to the Free
soil party, which had reconed with some confidence,
that the justice of their cause would have counter
balanced any transgresson of strict constitutional
law. The President declares that the Govern
ment would have been long since subverted BY
the 'Sinsurgent Topeka Legislature" had it not
been for the assistance of the United States troops
"a large portion of the people of Kansas" says
he, "have been in state of rebellion against the
Government, with military leader et their head
of the most turbulent and dangerous Character
The fact of the matter is that from the first settle
ment of Kansas there have been two factions, each
ready to shed the others blood. 1t seems bevond
doubt that the majority of the first inhabitants
opposed to slavery; but large body of slaverymen
burst into the country from the adjoining State of Mis-
sour, notwth any intention of settling but mereyto
force slavery institutions Kansas, and TO deliver
their State from the dread of Freesoil neigh
Dor. These were the "Border Rutians,' and the
time of the outrages the years 1855 and 1856.
The Freesoi party denied the legality Of all acts
done under theirintuence, and assembling at Topeka
passed Constitution to which they have resolutely
adhered. Mr.. Buchanan shortly after his naugura-
tion despatched Mr.. Walker Governor to Kan
sas. Governor Walker was accompanied by a strong
force of regular troops, and under his auspices a
Constitutional Convention has been held, with
which the ''Topekaites" would have nothing to do.
Governor Robinson and General Lane, say the des-
patches of Governor Walker, counselled total DISC
obedience to the United States authority. Gener
| al Lane raised volunteers to defend the Topeka
! Legislature, and Governor Robinson declared that
| the Freeso Constitution, having been ratified
twice, and followed up by the election of State Off
| GERS the law of the land though considered by
! the Administration at w ashington revolutionary.
| The President absolutely denies the authority
of the Topeka Legislature, and declares that the
Constitution which has been lately voted, and which
he presents to Congress, is the legal expression
| of the wishes of Kansas, and must be received
such but it rests with Congress accept it not
| By the fundamental law ofthe United States, any
region within its jurisdiction which is sufficiently set
tledmay be declared territory and when it attans
certain population may be admitted a State
on the demand of properly constituted Conyen-
ton. Now, even allowing that the Convention
which framed the Lecompton Constitution was
duly constituted, the question is whether Congress
! looking to the circumstances of the case, should
admit it. The South is, of course, eager in the
| affirmative. The admission of Kansas would for
the present at least, give two Pro-slavery votes in
the Senate. A more moderate party is for rejecting
| the Constitution, and passing ''enabling Bill
| to give Kansas the power to form another. Mr.
Buchanan is for the former e. He shows that
it is an inherent right of Territory to meet IN
convention Kansas did, and that it would be un-
just to refuse to acknowledge the Constitution it
ola fIo ol,,,.
over Minnesota and Oregon are waiting also for
admission, and Kansas, which has waited longest,
| ought to be disposed of first.
Yet it must not be supposed that Mr.. Buchanan
is anxious that Kansas should be Slave State He
| merely says that the Constitution which the Con-
vention has established enacts slavery, and that
Kansas must come into the Union with this Consti-
tuition, and change it afterwards, if it pleases. The
question of slavery duly submitted to the people
on the 2lst of last December.
The Freesoiers abstaned from voting, not re
cognizing the assembly which put the question. Ii
they had chosen to vote, says the President, they
might have made Kansas a free State; they alb
stained they must take the consequences, and RENE
dy the evil by another vote after the territory has
become a State. The late Judgment OF the Supreme
Court, which ha scaused such astonishment at
home and abroad is cited to show that Kansas,
being United States Territory is from that
very fact slave soil at has been sOlemnly adudged
by the highest judicial tribunal that slavery exists
in Kansas by virtue of the Constitution of the Uni
ted States. Kansas is therefore at this moment as
much Slave State as Georgia or South Carolina"
So there is nothing in the facts of the case or the
law of the country to forbid the admission of the
territory with its present Constitution.
There can be no doubt that the President has
much reason his side, and that the Freesoilers
have acted of late with imprudence and intem-
perance. They We're at first overpowered by the
"Border Rufians' and might naturally refuse to
acknowledge assemblies elected by violence; but
when the Federal Administration interfered and
gave them opportunity of showing their nu-
merical strength they might well have given
up their Separatist Legislature, and marshaled
their forces for fair constitutional contest. They
are branded by the highest authority
with the guilt of rebellion, and it is officially de-
clared that their acts necessitate the presence in
the territory of a large body OF troops, which
are much wanted elsewhere. That their cause will
have the sympathy of large class both in their
country and in Europe, have no doubt, but that
they will have yield seems equally clear. Resistance
to the Central Government is the highest of crimes
in the eve of every true American, and when the
Chief OF the Republic calls upon the citizens to sup
port his authority he will be responded to from every
side Perhaps the best solution of the question is
what the President proposes-that Kansas should
be admitted with her present Pro-Sayery Constitu-
ton, and that then the Freesoil party should de-
mand Convention, and endeavour by legal means
| to abolish the institution they detest.