Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-04-10

q
and under the restriction of test-oath which
would prevent the free-State party from Vo-
ting, such a commotion Immediately arose as
threatened to lead to bloodshed and civil war.
In this condition of affairs, acting Governor
Stanton as a means of averting such calam-
ity, called an extra session of the Territorial
Legislature. That body, when assembled,
passed law for taking the sense of the peo-
pie upon the constitution recently formed, on
the 4th of January last-the day fixed by the
constitution for an election of State officers
and members of the Legislature under that
constitution The 2Ist of December last was
appointed by the convention to take vote OF
the people upon the slavery clause of the con-
stitution in this FORM the constitution with
slavery ".' the constitution without slavery"
There were six thousand seven hundred and
ninety-three votes returned as cast on that day
six thousand two hundred and twenty-six
for the constitution with slavery, and five
hundred and siXty-seven for the constitution
without slavery. The remarks of the honor
able Senator from Kentucky in regard to that
election were justified by the circumstances of
the case Votes enough were returned in
favor of the constitution to overcome any
majority that had ever before been given in
the Territory. There had been eleven thou
sand and odd votes given in the October cleo
ton, and it was arranged to show a vote to
exceed one halt that number. 1t is well es-
tablished by a commission appointed to inves-
tigate the subject under authority of the Leg
islature, that two thousand seven hundred or
nearly one hHlfthe six thousand and odd votes
returned as having been cast on the 2lst De-
cember in favor of the constitution were fraud
ulent; and about an equal number returned
pOlled for State officers and members of the
Legislature On the 4th Of January last In
the vote taken by authority of the Territorial
Legislature, on the 4th of January, the
Lecompton constitution, there were ten thou
sand majority against it. The Senator from
Georgia says that on the same day there were
over ten thousand votes cast for State officers
and members of the Legislature under the
constitutions; and that to sustain the fairness
OF the votes against the constitution the Joint
vote should have been twenty thousand. |
must conclude that on that point the honora-
bic Senator from Georgia made his statements
altogether in the dark, and at random, in re-
gard to the true facts and circumstances at
tending the votes taken on the 4th of January
He asks the reason why these ten thousand
claimed as a majority vote against the CON
stitution did not vote in the election for State
officers and members of the Legislature. The
explanation must be obvious to all those who
pretend to know nythng about recent events
in Kansas. A convention was called by the
frec-State party to decide whether they should
vote or not in the election for State officers
of January. 1t was cOntended that if they
voted it would be taken rs a ratification of
the constitution, just as the President now
cOnstruCs the vote actually given in that cleo
ton by portion of that party. This view be-
ing taken by majority, the convention came
to Il resolution not to vote: but after the re-
gular convention adjourned the minority got
together, and. after considering the question
fully among themselves, decided that it was
-. L.. "a, Il
aud those who chOse-mOre than half their
party under the recommendation of
the minority Of the convention.
believe that no attempt has been made
from any respectable source, to cast doubt
on the genuinencss of the vote cast against
the constitution on the 4th of January last
The result of that vote shows, incontestably
that there must be a majority of at least four
or five to one, Of the people Of Kansas against
this constitution.
| have now narrated the most important
fact in the history Of Kansas affairs, which
have any material bearing upon the question
before the Senate, and upon which we may
rely in deciding whether this constitution
should be accepted or rejected. These, how
ever are not the only material facts connect
ed with tie case-I mean facts calculated to
show whether it is eXpedient, just, or polite
to admit Kansas with this constitution. As
that Il large majority is opposed to the con
stitution, what are the further facts connected
with this subject material to be noticed
Gov. Walker declares To you that a large
majority of the people of Kansas are deter
mined to resist the organization of a State
government under this constitution. Mr.
Stanton expresses the same opinion. The
people themselves tell you the same thing
through their Territorial legislature Rcso-
ln have oI tod ~ tbat In,r
pledging their fortunes and their lives in re-
si,ting this constitution. But there are some
facts that speak louder than words. The Pre-
sident has now under him two thousand
troops in Kansas E; and he expresses the hope
that when this measure shall pass, he may be
able to withdraw them. Why has he not
withdraw them before He tells us why. 1t
is not considered safe to do so. When and
how long after the adoption of this measure,
before ne will conSidcrit safe to withdraw the
troops from Kansas? OF course, after the
people of Kansas shall. voluntarily or by
force, have yielded to the authority of this
constitution. 1t may take twice two thousand
troops to free this constitution oIal people of
whom such large and determined majority
are opposed to it; and who have shown. by
their obstinate persistence in opposition to
the territorial government up to "A late day
that they are OF Il character and cast of men
that we may justly apprehend will continue
their resistance. They say that no State gov
eminent shall be organized under this Consti-
tuition If it be accepted by Congress. | know
it is calculated that the friends of law and
order, and the natural tendency to reaction
after all great excitement, will induce sub
mission. The result may still be civil war;
but | trust they will submit.
But, sir, | am not yet done with the cvidcn-
ccs in my possession to show the true state of
affairs IN Kansas. More than fifteen months
ago the leading prO-slavery men in that Ter
ritory abandoned the idea of making it u slave
Stat. and | desire to go IA little into detail
on that point because | know that. if this
measure be rejected. it will he said in some
quarters of the South, nay, the idea is already
arttully propagatcd. that slave State can be
established permanently in kansasifthe meas
ure now before the Senate should be adopted.
The Senator from Georgia said to-day that his
friend from Kentucky only had the evidence
Of Gov. Walker and Secretary Stanton as To
the frauds alleged to have been practiced in
Kansas and who are they? Those gentle
men, he said, did nothing from the time they
went to Kansas until they We're taken out Of
it, except To violate the Constitution of the
United States, the organic law of Kansas, and
to break down tire Administration that had
sent them there. Those statements confirm
me in the impression that the Senator from
Georgia has made his entire speech with but
very little knowledge of the state of things in
Kansas. viii he recognize the name and au-
thority of DR.. Stringfcllow, who, for the first
two years of the existence of Kansas under
the territorial government, was the very soul
of the pro-slayery par;y-the Speaker of their
House of Representatives during the first two
Legislatures. What is has opinions have
no direct authority to speak for him, but am
told that he has published a letter, which is
to be found in one OF the public journals, stat
ing that since July last he has abandoned all
hope of making Kansas a slave State and con
sidcrs itidle 10 make any further effort to effect
that object. viii the Senator from Georgia
recognize the name and credit the statements
.nrl, man LII. IrhI. I..n.li,.r ,.rA In