The Placer herald., 1858-06-26
From the Lawrence (Kansas) Herald of Freedom.
A Review of our Former Position. The
Leavenworth Constitution.

In July last, when we indicated in lead
ing editorial, the line of policy which was
deemed best to be pursued by the Free State
party, to regain their lost rights, we suggest
ed an abandonment of the Topeka Consti-
tutional movement, because we had nothing
to hope from it; the getting control of the
Territorial government, and the using it for
term of years, until the country was better
able to sustain State government. The
Lecompton Constitution, it was urged, would
be voted down if submitted to the people.
If not submitted to them then it was declared
that the people should elect the officers un-
der it, with the view Of preventing it from
being used like the former Territorial govern
ment, for the oppression of the people.
Agreeably to that programme, since very
generally endorsed by the whole people, the
Topeka government has been abandoned by
all parties, and is now acknowledged to be a
thing of the past.
In October, the Free State party partici
pated in the election, and thrs wrested from
their oppressors The instrument which had
been employed SO etfectually for their en-
slavement. Through the action of that Ter
ritorial Legislature the Free State party were
enabled to express their repugnance of the
Lecompton Constitution, thus furnishing
their friends in Congress powerful argument
against receiving it; and to provide against
contingencies, they elected the executive and
Legislative officers, and thus efiectuallv pre-
vented it from becoming an engine in the
hands Of the enemies of freedom for our
second enthralment.
That Constitution is pending in Congress.
There is a possibility, indeed strong pro-
bability, that it will he legaIizcd in some
form by that body. Should such be the re.
suit, one which we all deprecate--then that
government shall be used to inaugurate, IN
the shortest manner possible, a government of
the people, There is class of men, however,
of the Lane school, of which Thatcher and
Conway are distinguished members, who de-
clare that they will hang even Free State
men, if they attempt to qualify under the
Constitution, though il be their purpose to
remain in session but single day, and pass
a single law au horising a new Constitution
al Convention. The people, however, tr-
umphed over the sloM in October, and in
January last, and they will carry cut the
peace policy in this respect in dcfa,ce Of
these men and their obettors.
But the recent news from Washington
gives us canse to hope that Mr.. Englisli's pro-
position will succeed; that the Lecomplon
Constitution will be submitted to fair vote
of the people, by act of Congress; and in
case of its adoption 10y majority Of them,
then the President is to issue his proclama-
ton announcing the result, and declaring
Kansas one Of the sovereign States of the
Federal Union. If, on the contrary, it is re-
jected, then the people are to be at liberty
to frame new Constitution, in such manner
as they shall Sc fit, after they hare the reQui-
site population to entitle them to Repre-
sentative in Congress.
1t is needless to say, that if that PROPOSE
ton is passed, the Lecompton Constitution
will be defeated by the people, and then we
are remanded back into our Territorial con-
dition, just mhere the best interests of Kansas
Indicate ace shouN be.
"But the Leavenworth Constitution, what
Of that" inquiries friend. We answer that
the Leavenworth Constitution will take its
place by the side of the Topeka Constitution,
it will serve a purpose in allowing class of
men who are exceedingly anxious to acquire
the honors of Office to hold those offices, so
far as the mere name is concerned; but who
will never approach single step nearer the
position than the honors To us it was GER
tainly amusing to see the scramble of GER
taain wre-pullers and politicians to get
nominated for those offices on Wednesday
last at Topeka. 1t seemed farce, and such,
we are confident, it will prove. The law
under which the Constitutional Convention
was called into being, was of doubtful legali-
ty and more doubtful expediency. The peo-
pie felt it., and the small vote for delegates
to that Convention proved it-as probably
not more than one fourth of all the voters in
the Territory participated in that election.
High Life.