Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-08-31
Another Agitation


The Kansas issue, with its certain concomi-
tants, sectional agitation, intense animosites and
bitter feuds, is again forced upon the country
Kansas will again be the theme of popular dis
cussion and newspaper essays and street'corner
conversations for long time to come Kansas
will enter into the speculations of politicians IN
regard to the next Presidential campaign, and
the Democracy, uncertain what course to take,
win be in Quandary. Kansas belongs speclally
to the Democracy, and they will have lively
time with it yet.
As premonitory symptoms of the grand teln-
pest into which the ocean will be tossed, we ma
the waters troubled in various quarters. In IL
lnois triple war of great ferocity Is in progress
between the Douglas Democrats, the Admins
trstion Democrats and the Black Republicans.
Here we see the novel spectacle of two candi-
dates for an office, the gift of the Legislative boz
dy, engaged in angry discussion before the mass
es, and digni6ed Senators douglas and Trnm-
bull casting the lie, one at the other, with dis
gushing Yolubility. Ii this bitter contest, excl
ting universal interest, springs from past connec-
ton with this Kansas question, what may we
not expect when it again enters the arenai II
dead Kansas stirs Up such q strife, what terrible
havoc may we anticipate from its resurrection
A portion of the Democratic party at the
South-those who eresparticularly Jealous in
behalf of the Lecompton Constituton-seem
very anxious to hush up all reference to Kansas
affairs. After making all they could of the strife,
now that it comes back upon them in an ugly
shape, they are wonderfully afraid OF it. But
the ghost twill not down" at their bidding; il
will continue to haunt them, and carry confusion
into their ranks. The country has never wit
messed such an exhibition of craftsmanship as
the course of the Administration upon this cues
ton. They insisted upon the acceptance Of the
Lecompton Constitution, and then, to save the
Northern wing Of the party from destruction
carried through q ridiculous compromise which
settled nothing except the fact that further con
troversy was inevitable. This English bill
brings Kansas back to Congress, to wrangle over
the issue whether 10000 people may form
slave State Constitution and come into the Union
when 5000 people are required to form fre'
State Constitution. This is the plain question Il
be decided. The Democracy may advise 81
lence, but the question will be agitated. Th
people of Kansas will have new Constitution
ready as soon as Congress meets; the Northern
allies of the South will vote for the admission
the State at once, without regard to the restric
ton of the English bill; and the President vii
eat his own words, cancel his signature to a sol
emn act of Congress and agree that Kansas ma.
come in. Such is the craftsmanship Of the pres
emit Administration aud their supporters in Con
gress. IT, however, the Critteuden amendmen
had been adopted, as tie New York EXPIRES
says, "the Kansas issue would no more hay
troubled Congress, while the result would hav
been just as it is now, Free State The South
ern members of Congress made fools OF them
selves, and arrived at the same result, the
roundabout English way"