Freeman's champion., 1858-05-13
The Isavenwor,h Constitution.


ON tho 18th Of the present month, ~
It Is the Constitution framed in obe-
dience to the peoples will and wish
es, as expressed in the act Of the late
Legislature and, tho election Of Dele
eatos to the Constitutional Conven-
ton. It is good document, liberal,
wise Republican and progressive In
its provisions It shows ehphaticAlly
that the people Of Kanzas havs leafn'
cd something by their troubles--that
they have grown beyond their former
statute. We hazard nothing in say
ing that, take it in all its details, the
Leavonworth Constitution iS the best
vet framed in this Union. II secures
homestead to the working man;
throws q safeguard such as are found
Va no other Organic Law; around the
women and children Of our State; pla-
cos the wife and mother above the
brutality and proaigacy or improv-
idenee Of the husband; secures the
school lands to the object for which
they were intend I'd; brings the bless
ings of education in the reach of ALL
children; throws safeguards around
Legislation and prevents abuse of OK
ocutiye suthority' No class privile-
geS are to be foupdS it's articles aud
the fundamental rights Of humanity
are guaranteed to the humbleSt indi'
vidual within the State. We may be
proud Of the Consultation, and it
should be ratified by an overwhelm-
ing vote.
Yet there are men who seek to
throw a damper upon aits propsects.
Men in our own ranks, who, with the
face of friends and the hearts Of trait
ors, are insidiouSly seeking to got the
people not to go to the polls and sx'
press their choice, but by false state
ments, and subterfuges, to induce
them to stay away that but q small
vote may be cast upon the day of rat
ificatiou. We are told, therefore,
that we cannot get into the Union
and there is no need of the instru-
ment. Yet these Same men we re-
member last winter as among the
most earnest in urging forward the
very movement which resulted in
the laying aside Of the Topeka Con-
stitution and the calling of new con-
vention. We remember that week
after week and at each Delegate con-
vention, how the papers and prom
inent men Of the "subteranean" wing
Of our party urged this movement;
yet now we find that they are blow
ing hot and cold upon its results,
seeking to prevent q fair expression
Of opinion upon. its merits, spreading
abroad false interpretations ofits let
ter and spirit and Of the intentions of
those who have been nominated on
tho State Ticket. Why il this, we
ask? The answer will be found in
the fact that the people everywhere,
disguised by the trickery, double-des-
ling and dishonesty of these politi-
clans, did not choose to intrust them
with tho task of making them an or
ganic Law, nor honor them with the
positions Of standard bearers in this
fight. 1t is because the "Old guard"
the radical republican, liberty loving
portion ofthe people rallied to rescue
the leadership Of tho Free State par
ty from the hands OF trickstcrs, hunk
crS and spectators, that these mon
dislike the Loavenworth Constitution
and THINK IT OF NO AVAIL. Let them
proceed in their work Of torgivOrsa-
tion and deceit; they are but making
rods for their own backs, which enc
day will fall with fearful eject upon
them.
Remember that we have aOonsti-
tuition which 6tly represents the rights
Of Free Labor, and that under it we
will marshall in sOrriOd cohorts to
march to'A glorious victory. Every
line Of the Loavonworth Constitution
breathes Of the spirit ofLiborty; each
provision is fragrant with progress,