Kenosha tribune & telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1856-1859, 1858-04-29
S. 5. scHoFF
J.-A. BUTTS.
Kenssha, March Is, 1885
Progress of Lecompton

The final termination OF the Lecomp-
ton issue in Congress is yet in much
doubt. The iniquity has been damaged
by vete of the House several times;
still it revives again, assuming some
new aspect. Whea defeated at one
point, the slsveocracy rally at another,
backed up by all the power and patro-
mage of the administration. The Pres
ldent has made the admission of Kan
sas under the Lecompton constitution
one of the chief measures of his admin
.istration, and all the influences within
his reach are brought to bear on this
one great object. All democrats who
interpose any objection or obstacle to
this policy Of the administration are
prescribed and held unworthy of any
political favor from the government
All office holders are required to bow
in acquiescence to the enforcement of
the Lecomptsn fraud, or suffer political
decapitation.
Until quite recently confidence has
been felt that the few anti Lecompton
democrats in the House, who have yo-
ted with the republicans in resistance
to Lecompton, would maintain their po-
sition without faltering. This conf
dence is becoming impaired, especially
in respect to some OF them. Conspic-
uous among these whose recreancy is
manifest, is Mr.. English member Of
the House from Indiana. This man
was elected as a democrat on the plat
form of popular sovereignty; that is,
of allowing the people of every Terrific
ry on assuming a state government, 30
determine their own institutions as they
please, without outside Interference
Mr. English is one of the few anti Lee
compton democrats, who has heretofore
been regarded shaky, bnt has general
ly voted with the opposition to Lecomp-
ton.
When the Senate asked the House
for committee circumference, Mr.. Eng
lish moved the request be acceded to-.
The vote fer conference committee
prevailed, and Mr.. English was appoint
ed chairman thereof, and thus practi-
cally invested with its control. Mr.
English submitted proposition ac-
ceptable to q majority of the advocates
of the Lecompton swindle, but yet go
manifestly unjust as to disgust some of
the more conscientious Of the nationsl
democracy. His conduct in this in
stance was such palpable Justification
ofhis former professions, as to create
surprise. His proposal for the settle
lnent of the question, offers the people
of Kansas stupendous bride, to ratify
the Lecompton constitution. If they
will accept that instrument, they shall
6e entitled to three millions of lands
to be appropriated to the construction
ofrailroads in various directions through
the Territory; but OH the other hand ,
if the people of Kansas shall persist,
in refusing to accept the Lecompton
constitution, they shall remain out of
the Union, at least, until the Territory
shall be proven to contain a population
of $4,000 inhabitants-a requirement
never before made of any new State
asking admission into the Union.
One would suppose that a proposition
so dishonerable and insulting, would
find no favor among men protesting to
be legislators for the people; but III
these Representatives. Of Congressional
prohigacy, no absurdity or wickedness
excites a sense of shame. It was Justly
denounced by Senator Wilson, as 4
bride ia one hand and cheat in the
other" The proposition Of Mr. Eng
lish as reported fromsthe Committee on
conference, was postponed to Wednes-
day the 2sth INST. by vote of los
to los. Although this is another
administration defeat, yet the vote is
so nearly balanced, as to render t h e
chances Of the Lecompton iniquity a
matter of apprehension.
If Lecompton is finally defeated it
will be owing chiefly to the unwavering
united and preserving action Of the re-
publican members in Congress. The re-
publicans, although III a minority have
thus ias stood firm to man. The re-
publican party is the only party, true to
the popular rights Of tho people A
fragment Of the democratic party, has
endeavored to uphold and maintain the
right of the people of Kansas to self
government, but it is borne down and
must of necessity be crushed out, so
long as it attempts to act with, or have
fellowship with the administration de-
mocracy, The Douglass democracy, so
called, can maintain no Intermediate po-
sition; they must either 90 back to the
embrace of the black democracy, or
enlist at once III the cause ef republican
freedom Popular Sovereignty, or the
right ofthe people to regulate their'own
affairs 5 "a. democratic humbug ey-
cry test vote in Congress gives proof OF
of this fact The slave-driving democ-
racy of the South, with its northern