The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-09-04
For as Herald Of Freedom

reply W INC A1Puotfcdb, pfepareu Dy an
introduction which informs Us that he has
received several letters of late, of similar
character, and that he intends this as a
reply to all The Republican heads the
letters with startling caption, and refers
to Mr.. Conway as a gentleman of wide
reputation for candor and sagacity.
In this letter Mr.. Conway gives his
tory of the Leavenworth Constitution
declares it as his opinion, that it is prob
able we shall be admitted under it; say
that he is in favor of the formation of a
Republican party; boldly intimates that
the longer continuation of the Free State
party is ''bosh," and that, although born
and raised in the South, and trained to
unvarying fealty to the Democratic party,
he is, in Federal politics, Republican,
and has always been opposed to slavery.
Mr.. Conway, therefore, believes that
the mission of the Free State party is ac-
complished that the Republican party
should now be formed, and that the local
platform of that party should be adhesion
to the Leavenworth Constitution.
The Free State party authorized the
Leavenworth Convention, accepted its
Constitution, chose State officers and
elected Representative to Congress un-
der its provisions, and now await the ac-
ton of Congress on their prayer for ad-
mission into the Union with it. Until
that prayer is answered, the mission of
the Free State party certainly is not COM
plete.
Mr. Conway will have it, that it is COM
plete, and favors the formation of Re-
publican party, that shall make it one of
its objects to take charge of this Consti-
tuition.
He would make adhesion to that Con-
stitution, a test for Republicanism in Kan
sas. He does not say so, but we make
the charge from our knowledge of the
man, that he would make adhesion to the
State officers and Representative to Con-
gress under it, also test of Republican,
ism.
Now is it evidence of sagacity to favor
a proposition of this kind -?
The Leavenworth Constitution received
about 1000 votes. The vote for officers
under Lecompton, was rising 5000, al
though opposed with unprincipled feroci.
ty by the ardent admirers of Mr.. Conway
who, at that time, sat on the fence un
certain which way to jump. The vote
against Lecompton was 1900. 1t il
here asked that the Republican party
shall organize and endorse Constitution
State officers and Representative to Con
gress, who did not receive within 2OO(
votes the number received by the officer
under Lecompton, and within 5000 o
the number polled against the Englisl
Bill.
But Mr.. Conway says that it is unnec
essary that whole people should vot,
for Constitution. He uses the same ar
gument that the Pro-slavery men hav'
used against us. Assuming to defent
freedom, he uses the black-hag of tn
slave driver. Mr.. Conway must know
or else his wide reputation for sagacit,
stands upon shabby foundation-tha
the reason larger vote was not polle'
upon his pet Constitution, was because tn
people regarded voting upon it useless
considering the shape in which Congress
had placed Lecompton. Mr.. Conway can
not tell, no man can tell, whether tn
5000 votes polled on the English Bill
that were not polled on his Constitution
would be cast favorably to it. Shoul
the Administration, convinced of the pro
found argument of Mr.. Conway, force U
into the Union under it, how can the
demonstrate that they did not force upo
the people of Kansas constitution an
officers to which they are as much OF
: posed as to Lecompton.
There are men in Kansas who lahore
for freedom when Mr.. Conway, with b
."unvarying fealty to the Democratic pa
ty," rejoiced at the passage of the Kansas
Nebraska Act, by which freedom WI
plundered of its right. Who would hes
tate to sustain his Constitution and of
GERS ? There are men who labored an
toiled in the Republican ranks, who vote
against it, and would vote against it agai
Upon that very issue, the Republican pa
ty would be divided. Yet, the ardent N
Conway, carried away either by his el
! thusiasm or by his ambition, would III
hesitate to form Republican party,
support Constitution which would NAL
> him Congressman, although the attem
y would sunder the Free State party, ar
drive the Republicans into a hopele
minority.
The Administration has said taat as
slave State, Kansas may come into Il
Union with 5000 population, but as
free State it must have $1,000. Here
:, something in which the Free State par
e are interested. 1t isrtheir duty to te
+ that question. If the 1000 men WI
o voted for the English bill, are entitled
admission into the Union with a popul
K ton of $1,000, the 1900 men who vot,
y against it should give the Administratic
Is an opportunity of informing them wi
they cannot be admitted with the san
n number.
l. IL q