The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-01-29
THE TWO VOTES IN KANSAS.

The two elections in Kansas, the Dist of Decem-
Der last and the An instant shsw conclusivey that
large majority of the people of that Territory have
either approved ofthe Lecompton constitution direct
y, indircaed their acquiescence in it for the pur
pose of securing the admission of Kansas into the
Union as a State AT the first election GLE votes
were cast directly in its favor, being the apparent
democratic party strength. Al the second held I'M
der the constitution, about 900 votes cast by
the free-State party for their State ticket II APP
pears therefore, tina; total of 1912 voters have
distinctly committed themselves the constitution.
The votes cast in favor of the constitution in Dece-
ber added to those cast against il under the terrific
rial law will represent the whole vote of the Terri
tory. They make total Of about seventeen thou
sand votes. very large majority Of the whole
number have consequently committed themselves
to the constitution. Ii appears that majority of
the "freeState' men themselves have also exer-
cised privileges under the constitution. Their total
strength, as shown by the vote against the constu-
ton, is 0,226-of whom 1000 voted for State Off
GERS. Whatever way the votes are construed the
conclusion is irresistible that the people Of Kansas
desire admission into the Union az State aud that
they are willing to come in nuder the Lecompton
constitution. The platform upon which the voting
portion of the . freeState" went into the can
yass for State officers shown TO be majority of
the whole strength of that party distinctly animated
their expectation that Kansas would he admitted as
State 1t was this expectation tina, urged them TO
participate in the State election. Only about 5000
voters refrained altogether from voting for State Off
GERS embracing only the fanatica of the Topeka
The refusal to admit Kansas into the Union with
the constitution shortly to be presented to Congress
will be the triumph of less than fifth of the
ters of Kansas over more than four-ffths of fac
tious minority that will lose all its influence and i'm
the phase which the question has reached, and
such the endorsement which Kansas has given to
this application to be admitted into the Union.
1t should also be borne in mind that the free
State" men, when they decided to take part in the
State election, made it part of their platform to
change the constitution as soon it could be done
after the admission of the State. This furnishes a
complete Interpretation the vote against the
stitution on the 4th inst II was simply expressive
of the determination of the .'freeState' party to
change the constitution hereafter and cannot be con-
strued into desire for the exclusion of the State
from the Union, especially = very large majority
Of these negative voters participated ON the same
day in the State election The whole Kansas ones
ton is relieved of all real difficulty. Four fths
of the people desire the admission of Kansas into
the Union; apparent majority desire change in
its constitution. But, that could not be done un-
til after Its admission they have provided for accom-
plishing their wishes by electng State officers
pledged to the necessary steps to make the change
So long as Congress- shall refuse to admit the new
State long will it deny to the people the opportu-
nifty to carry out their apparent wishes in this mat
ter.