The Placer herald., 1858-01-09
The Kansas Question.

in the deliberations of Congress at the pres
ent session. The fair and impartial course
pursued by Gov. Walker had done much to-
ward allayng the unhappy state of feeling
that existed in the Territory, but the recent
action of the Constitutional Convention. has
revived old animosites and re-opened the
subject, if possible, with more bitterness than
before.
A brief statement is sufficient for an ex-
position of the causes that have led to re-
newed agitation and discussion in all parts
of the country. The members of the Con-
vention were elected in June last under the
provisions of an act passed by the Territorial
Legislature The Black Republicans, with
the wfulness that had characterized their
action throughout the troubles in Kansas,
refused to acknowledge the validity of laws
passed by that body, and consequently took
no part in the election. The result OF course
was, that nearly, if not all those elected
were pro-slavery men. 1t is we'll to remark,
just here, the inconsistency of those who de-
clired voting. They would not acknowledge
the Territorial laws or the officers elected,
under them, for the reason, they said, that
all elections had been carried by fraud and
violence; but subsequently, under an assu-
rance from Gov. Walker, that the purity of
the ballot-box should be preserved at all
hazards, and the voice Of the majority heard,
they voted for a delegate to Congress and
members of the Territorial Legislature at
an election held under the very laws they
had detied and secuted for several wears:
thus giving a denial to all their past profes-
sions, and placing themselves in the position
of men who had kept up dangerous agita-
lton and put at complete defiance the laws,
even to the verge of revolution.
The Constitutional Convention in pursu-
ance OF the sentiment prevailing among its
members formed Constitution recognizing
the institution Of slavery in Kansas. In
schedule they provided for the submission of
the instrument and the question Of slavery,
by requiring voters to deposit their ballots
for 'Constution with Slavery or "Constitu-
ton without Slavery" but no provision what
ever was made for voting against the Con-
stitution itself. If the slavery clause was re-
jected, Kansas was to be free State; but
property in slaves at the time of admission
of the State into the Union was in no wise
to be nterfered WITH
This action of the Convention gave a new
character TO the whole question; and although
the people were given an opportunity to ex
press their sentiment on the slavery issue,
they were prevented from recording their
dissent to other features of the Constitution
under which they were to live.
From this state Of facts it is matter Of
no surprise that the political cauldron is
again in agitation. 1t had been proclaimed,
and it was very naturally expected, that the
Constitution would be placed before the peo
pie for their adoption or rejection; and when
the action of the Convention defeated this
expectation, a general outburst of surprise
and Indignation followed.
1t is not to be expected that the Black
Republicans of Kansas, or their co-workers
throughout the Union, would have been
satisfied with the work of the Convention.
in any event, however fair and impartial it
might have been done-the revolutionary
advocates of the Topeka Constitution can
lay but small claim to fairness, and the name
of law w-abiding citizens. But il is the Free
State men Of different political faith, and
large numbers of the pro-slavery men of
Kansas. who raise their voice against this
dangerous and unlocked for assumption of
power on the part of the Convention. The
Democratic press in different portions of the
country have heen prompt in entering their
protests against the proceeding, as viola
ton of the spirit and intent of the Kansas
Nebraska act, the Cincinnati platform, and
in direct opposition to the doctrine of popu-
lar sovereignty as understood and advocated
by the Democratic party.
Senator Douglas and Gov. Walker are re
ported as strongly condemning the course
of the Convention, as being at war with
every requirement of fairdealing and an in
vasion of the prerogatives of the people,
who have at all times right to approve or
dissent from the measures of their represen-
tatives. They are understood as being op-
posed to the admission of Kansas, without
the Constitution is first submitted to the peo-
pie. 10 have such disposition made, it is
proposed that an enabling bill be passed by
COnuress nrOyidinr for the call;nr of q no,u