The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-05-22

ayow their intention to put tie Government
in operation, and make IT the parent Of
the future government. In January, the
two legislatures met, the Territorial Legs
lature of Free State men. and the Topeka
State Government Legislature. 1t very
soon became evident to the most casual
observer, that there was very little unity
of purpose, and, in fact, a real antagonism
of principle. Long before the Territorial
Legislature adjourned, it was pretty well
understood that designing men we're max
ing tools and fools of the Topeka Legisla-
ture. to subserve unworthy ends /; to keep
the people quiet while they matured their
plans for its overthrow. Nothing, how
ever, was said openly, bnt everybody was
suspicious of his neighbor. The bill for
a new Constitutional Convention was eyi-
IDENTIFY postponed with design to defeat
IT, and yet it was keld up as the compro-
mise ground on which both extremes were
to meet. On Saturday, the Territorial
Legislature adjourned, and in the after
noon mass meeting was held to consider
of the public welfare. The Topeka Begis-
lature had not adjourned, but were anx-
iously enquiring what to do. In order, if
possible, to draw out an open declaration
of secretly cherished purposes, and to COM
pei men to show their real colors, intro
duced a resolution to the effect "That in
case the Lecompton Constitution should
be adopted by Congress, and a government
inaugurated under it, before the Constitu-
tienal Convention just created should have
time to complete its work, then it would
be the duty of every true Free State man
to fall back upon the so-called Topeka
Government, and rally under it to the
last" This called forth one of the warm
est and the ablest debates that has ever
taken place in Kansas, which was contin-
ued until one O'Clock Sunday morning.
It compelled full declaration of opinion
and of purpose. Gov. Robinson declared
''that the Topeka Government was dead,
and had been since the last June" Other
prominent men declared-some, that the
Free State Officers and Legislature under
the Lecompton Constitution, ifrecognized,
would assemble, organize, and take the
oath of allegiance, choose ttco United States
Senator's, provide for new Constitutional
Convention, and then adjourn. Others,
that 'they would organize, and call the
Convention, but not choose Senators ;"
and still Others, that "they should hold
together, and pass such laws as the occasion
required, be they more or less" How the
vote upon the resolution would have stood,
I know not but having accomplished my
purpose of drawing out an open declara-
ton of purpose, withdrew the resolution,
and the meeting adjourned. On Monday,
the Topeka Government formally broke
up, killed by its professed friends, deserted
by those who had created it. But the
members ue1a home, and the people went
to work in their own way, and with full
knowledge of the issue, as made up, to
choose delegates to the Constitutional Con-
vention. This Convention met, and when
I say that they elected III. f. Conway
President, it indicates their complexion.
The instrument you have, ere this, seen,
and it will speak for itself. In the test
votes on citizenship, &C., the Lecompton
faction showed steadily 10 votes only, out
of convention of 80, and many of those
had succeeded by political maneuvering
in obtaining seats.
In the course of the debates, which
took somewhat of wide range, a severe
blow was given to the purpose of those
who had proposed to make any use what
ever of the Lecompton Constitution, if
accepted. The Lecempton Free State
men, mortified and discounted, have re-
turned home, determined, IF possible, to
secure the officers also under this Constitu-
ton, and then let THIS one die. The doc
trine of the people, is for the Free State
officers under the Lecompton Constitution
to take no oath to refrain from all action
under it, but letting it quietly fall and
die, to give place to the peoples government,
Just now formed. 1t held that under such
circumstances, the Federal Government
could have no show of right to interfere,
and all would end well. If the Lecomp-
ton Constitution is adopted, and pro-
slavery men receive their certificates, or
enough of them to secure their ends, the
boys If the Free State
men get their certificates, or if the Con-
stitution is rejected, then everything will
depend upon the-character of the men
elected under the new Constitution. If
the right men are put in posoer under it,
then they 1iH make it the living Government
of the State, and no power on earth can
Withstand it. THEY MADE IT TO
BY 1T, and for no boys game.
But the Lecomptonists-or, in other
words, the Hunker Conservative Demo-
cratic Free State men, if they can possess
its Offices, viii quietly let it die. They
are strict legitimists, and have all at once
a holy horror of anything not having the
forms of law, thought be ever so bogus
and a mortal dread of the Federal dis
pleasure. They are seeking, if possible,
to save corrupt administration from the
just retribution for its sins.
You wiz. easily understand from this
brief expose, how important Toe ultra radi-
cal men deem it to have true men 10 fill
the offices. The people are right, but the
leaders, or the would-bes, are wrong; but
you kHol0 hot0 much tact, money and auire
pulling, can do to ostttCit and defeat the aOiR
Of the people.
The administration, with Denver as its
agent, viii spare no efforts to defeat this
and to clear the track of this
peoples measure, as they did of the for
mer one. They have means at command.
and will loose no time in working their
cards. Our people are generally poor,
except in principles, and are lily prepared
to go into the canvas. If we had only the
money which solicited at Worcester, for
a purpose for which it nerer scas used, to
aid now in the election, it might change
the result entirely. If any thing can be
done for US in that way, no time is to be
lost. The State Convention meets on the
18th, to nominate State Officers. and on
the third Tuesday of May they are to be
voted for. If wrong men should secure
The nomination, the field should Be contested
1t The polls, By VOLUNTEER CANDI-
DATES. and THEY tOould need money As
he tragedy draws TO a close we ell 6nd