The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1858-01-16
From Kansas.

The news from Kansas during the past
week, although capable Of being summed in
in g few words, is not without deep interest
In reference to the election on the 21st
December, on the Lecompton Constitution,
the full returns indicate that nearly 1000
votes were polled fer that instrument with
and without the slavery clause. This shows
more strength in the territory than the pro-
slavery party have generally received credt
for: bat it is coutcnded ty the opposite
party that many fraudulent votes were cast
On the 4th inst, 'wo other elections were
hcld.-onc for State officers and legislature
under tie Lecompton constitution, and an
other to vote for or against the Lecompton
constitution according TO the provisions Of
an act Of the late legislature
In reference to The first ofthese elections,
it Will be recoIIccted, at convention OF the
free state party at Lawrence, it was resolved
by the majority 10 take no part in it; but
minority OF that convention nominated
ticket and resolved to 90 into The fight
The returns Of the election show that AT
Lawrence, Topeka, and other free state
strongholds, the free state men generally re
fused to vote, yet the free state men have
elected majority of the legislature, and
stand an even chance 10 have elected the
Governor and other State officers. This re-
suit seems to show that, although tue poiit:-
clans Of the Lane and Robinson stripe, who
prefer excitement and strife TO peace OF any
- I. t--r dom ~
Kansas, had 4 minority in the Lawrence con-
ventiOn, yet 4 large majority OF Ihe hone and
sinew OF the free state party must have
sympa;hizcd with the minority in the Law
renee convention, else there could not have
been so large a vote for the ticket they nom
mated. But the Lane and Robinson wing
were right in one respect. They argued
that to contest the election Of officers under
the Lecompton constitution would be con-
s,rued by the friends Of that instrument in
and out of the territory intoa recognition Of
its legality, ard such construction IS actu-
aiy attempted to be forced upon it ty the
Missouri R,PvJlitga. aad y papers and pol
iticians even at Washington. But tGc in
ference is palpab'y absurd. The free state
rncn who voted 1T the election in question
sirnrIy considered that no one could be 50
blind as not to know their true position in
regard to the Lccom!ton Constitution :;
while there was yet a possibility Of that
instrument being received by Congress, and
in that event it was bus: TO be on the safe
side.
In regard to the other election on the Eth
inst, for or against the Lecompton CoaSti-
tuition, the result was majority Of ten or
twelve Thousand against it. although large
proportion, Of the ultra alti-slavcry or Topc-
ka party appear not to have voted at all,
What this Topeka faction IS really driving
at is hard to guess. While tire regular leg
islature of the territory, composed ola large
free state majority, met at Lccomptcn on
the 4th inst, the old humJug Topeka Leg
islature, met at Topeka; and while Sscreta-
~ Denver was reading his message TO the
one, Gov. Robinson was reading bis mes
sage to the other. The regular Leg Stature
after spending day at LccotuVton, adjourn
cd to Lawrence, a step acting Gov. Denver
appears to have approved. The Topeka
concern, on the same day also ljoUrUod tc
Lawrence, 50 that at groson; Lawrence PIE
sents tn ridiculous spectacle Of two free
state legislatures assembled within her lin
its. each claiming to be elected Ly the ma
jority Of the people o! Kansas; the one how.
ever, being uuques.;Onably regular and
legal body, while the other, TO les unQrcs
tionatly is a reasonable and revolutionary
body. The ICE, Of these two legislatures
thus meeting at the same time demonstrates,
what has hitherto been stout,y denied, tlat
there is 4 division, by broad ana unn.is.
taxable line, IN tie ranks OF the free state
party,-oue wing being in favor Of law and
order, and the other, with men Ike Robin
son and Lane at their head, in favor Of agita.
ton and strife although to keep these NJ
may involve rebellion and treason.
The Message Of Gov. Denver to the lcGjs
la,urc which met at Lccomp:on on the 9Th
is moderate and very sensible document
lie ascribes the amnesty and bitter feeling
existing in the Territory mo-e TO persona
hostility than to political considerations, aHl
refers to the harmonious action Of the pco
pie Of Nebraska as worthy OF imitation il
Kansas. He advises the f5rbearaHce from
legislation until action shall have been Ia
ken bv Congress, for should Kansas be al
admitted under that Constitution all thci
acts would be nuiifed. lie recommend
early attention to .he collection OF rcvonu
for the purpose Of building prisons. lie a!
Iu,Ies TO the r. NOR % the existence Of an or
canization similar to the Danitcs of Utah
and advises action in reference thereto
Other suggestions relative to amending elec
ton laws, and the protection OF school land
are made.
Both the elections on the 4th appear t
have passed cfT without serious disturbance
At Calhoun, 4 judge (of e!ectotJ i.a5ssg=
Culvert, was arrested for s;uling the ba.lo
boxes. and taken to Lcavcnworth and para
ded through the streets.
john Calhoun appears TO have thought !
prudent to be absent. Il spent the day 4
Weston, No, where he made 4 speech, dis
couragiug the entrance Of large bodies c
Missourians into the territory but counter
ancipg the prcpriety Of single individual
redeFing assistance to their friends.
The Canal.
We are iSebted TO sir. Gooding, Secr'
tary Of the Board OF Trustees of the Iiiino