True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-05-05
The English Bill and the Fate Of
Kansas.

4AS Ah6AAoA oA4 unu VuO 4dtO W
Kansas.
" The passage Of the Bill reported by The
Conference Committee in Congress,
known as the English BILL must
shock, If it does not surprise our readers.
It's passage may have been anticipated
by intelligent observers; still, the con-
summation Of project so corrupt and
infamous, must hOrrify all honest minded
persons, and greatly alarm all we'll wish
ers of their country. When Douglas,
a Walker and Forney, Drawing and
resisting the insolence, The menaces, and
the Establishments of power, opposed the
leading measure Of the Administration,
we felt assured that patriotism and a
sense Of justice were stronger than the
iron bands Of party. When Montgome-
ry, and Lawrence, and Cox, and many
others in Congress, and thousands OF the
friends of that Administration out of
Congress, boldly stood up for the right,
against the idol Of party, we rcjoiced that
the love of liberty ptedominated in the
hearts of the people, and that the worst
passions engendered by party spirit were
easily subdued and controlled when de-
manded by the interests and safety of the
country. A cheering prospect seemed to
open upon the nation. A delightful fu-
ture, full Of hope and promise. for us and
our children, seemed 10 break upon our
view. But alas, these visions have pro-
ven as brief and evanescent as the shad-
ows of evening. They were but {" The
lightning in the collied night, which, ere
one could cry behold'-the jaws Of
darkness have devoured it," The treach-
ery-the desertion Of a few unfailhful,
braggarts, misrerepsenting the people who
sent them to Washington, have disappoin-
ted the hopes and prayers Of nation Of
freemep. ... .....
Let US for moment glance at the
features Of this Infamous Bill, that a few
hireling papers in the country, and a few
bribed politicians exult over. We use
these terms "hireling," and Z" bribery"
because you cannot point to an advocate
Of this Administration any where who
does not unblushingly exhibit the price
paid him for parting with his principles.
But lev us notice the " English Bill. /"
By whereas" 1t AYERS, that the ordi-
nance Of the Lecompton Constitution,
which claims the right of the people Of
Kansas to tax the lands Of the United
within her limits is not acceptible TO
Congress. It therefore enacts:
1st. That Kansas be admitted into the
Union upon this condition precedent
That these propositions" in lieu Of the
said ordinance be assented to by a major.
ity Of the people voting thereon: First,
that sections l6 and 36, be granted to the
State for the use of schools, Second, thai
u sections be set apart for university,
Third, that 10 sections be set apart for
public buildings, Fourth that 12 salt springs
and 8 sections Of land adjacent, 10 each
be granted to the State, Fifth, that .jfut
per cent. Of the proceeds of the public
lands sold by Congress after the admis.
sion Of the State into the Union, be
granted to the State for Internal Improve
ule,,ts, Sixth, that the state shall never
tax lands belonging to the General Gov.
eminent.
Then it provides, il a majority Of the
ballots have endorsed thereon, PROPOSE
tion accepted" the President shall declare
Kansas admitted into the Union. If a
majority Of the ballots be endorsed "pro-
position rejected, then the people are
authorized to call convention and frame
a constitution. But they shall not elect
delegates to that Convention until the
population Is equal to the ratio Of repre-.
sentatiOm required for a member Of Con.
gress.
Again, for the purpose Of holding this
election, the Governor and Secretary Oi
the Territory. (PpOintsd By The Presi.
DENT and the presiding officers of the
two branches Of tie Legislature, or any
three of them shall constitute Board,
who shall fix The time and places Of voting
--aPpOin. the Judges Of the, election, and
MsPersOns 10 keep The peace at Mc celsc.
fiOns. They shall direct the time and
fnanRer Of the election and Of the returns,
and slIill announce ehe result
One fundamental objection to this
squivOcal bundle Of denominations, is. tha,
the Lecompton Constitution is silher not
u