Freeman's champion., 1858-02-25
Election for Delegates to the Consti-
tutional Convention. - The True
Issue, -Oligarehy VS.. the People.

LuCl0nal convention The True
Issue. -Oligarchy VS.. the People.
On the second Tuesday in March,
the people of Kanzas are to elect one
hundred delegates to frame a State
Constitution. There is an issue in
volvcd in this election that perhaps
many people do not comprehend.---
The old issue between the Free State
and Pro- Slavery parties is now among
the things that were. The question
of Slavery will hardly be considered
at this election, for it is we'll known
that it would be matter Of imposi-
bility to elect even "corporaPs
guard of pro-slavcry men delegates
to this convention. The people of
KanzaS are uncOncerncd onHhis score.
1t is supposed by many that the
only existing issue between the peo-
iple of The Territory at the present
time is that Of Democracy Vs. Re-
ipublicaNism, They are Mistaken
70 some extent this question will be
pressed at the ensuing election, and
unless the true friends of Freedom
are alert, some of the enemies Of their
cherished principles may stealthily
slide into the Convention. But even
this is a matter of minor importan CO
in comparison to one issue that has
been covertly sprung upon them. To
the disgrace ofus and our sacred cause
have the people of the Territory to
array themselves in such position
against the Office holders and many
leading. mea of their party, as the
Democratic enemies of the Lecomp-
ton Constitution hold against that in
strumcnt. The questions involved
ale similar. The Democratic oppo-
.nentS of the Lecompton fraud base
their enmity upon the conduct of the
begetters Of that spawn in refusing
to submit it to the people for their
ratification or rejection. The people,
SAY they, should be privileged to have
a'voice in matters Of such momentary
interest where their welfare is con-
'cerned. This train of reasoning can
NOW be employed by the uncorrupted
constituents Of the present Territorial
Legislature against that body. Their
constituents view them in the samo
light that Douglas Democrats do the
satellites Of John Calhoun. They
cannot look at them in any other
light. 1"
Last fall the Free State party Of
'Kanzas were induced to venture into
an election for Territorial officers
Through motives of policy and dis
position to evince conciliatory spirit
did they condescend to this humilia-
ing operation. Many ardent and sim
cere advocates of the cause of human
liberty were bitterly opposed to the
movement, and would not be induced
to yield their position in opposition
tothe voting policy, until they were
satisfied that nothing would be done
by the Legislature, should the Free
State mon succeed in obtaining pos
session Of it, but to "wipe out" the
entire bogus code, and then adjourn
sine die. They were assured by the
most earnest advocates Of the voting
policy that this should comprise the
extent Of their legislation. True,
there was an issue in nominating can
didates for the Legislature of select
ing men who were in favor Of and who
were opposed to that body preserving
a longer existence than to oblitepto
the bogus code, but it was conceded
by everybody, that the Legislature
preserving men should prevail, moth
ing but laws Of general character
should bc legislated upon. No ques-
tipn but that Of LcgiSlature-preservin
and anti-Lcgislature-p preserving was
considered at the October election /;
at least, so far as tho masses Of the
people were aware. There may have
been other questions under considera-
hinn hv daui,yninr tnon but 90 tbai !