The Nevada Democrat., 1858-03-03
Kansas Matters.


genoe of new complications in the Kansas i'm
broglio. At the election held in Kansas on the
4th of January, under the Lecomptou Constitu-
tion the more conservative Of the free State
men voted for State officers, and it seems their
candidates were elected by majorities ranging
John Calhoun, and by his invitation, Gov. Dem
yer and the two presiding officers Of the Terri
torial Legislature were present when they were
opened and counted Calhoun, however, has
rejected the returns at first received and de-
clared the pro slavery ticket for State officers
elected. ss s.rf eft
Tho President, on the Sd Of February, sent to
Congress certified copy Of the Lecompton
Constitution, which was accompanied by spe-
cial message recommending its adoption. He
says great deluson seems to pervade the pub
lie mind in relation to the condition Of affairs
in Kansas, and argues at some length to show
that large majority Of the people Of the Ter
ritory are opposed TO the Lecompton Constitu-
tion and in open rebellion against the authority
Of the general government. He places great
stress upon the fact that majority Of the peo-
pie have steadily refused to vote, which he at
tributes to factiousness. He does not even
mention the fact that the whole power Of the
Territorial government was in the hands Of
parcel of unscrupulous partzans who we're
ready to resort to the most villainous frauds in
order to retain their supremacy. Thousands
of conservative people in Kansas have refused
heretofore to take part in the elections, because
they had no confidence in the men who had the
counting Of the votes. The fraudulent returns
rejected by Gov. Walker at the October elec-
tion, and the more recent outrage Of Regent
Calhoun in declaring the pro-slavery candidates
for State officers elected, when their opponents
had received a majority Of votes, proves een-
clusivcly that the fears of the conservative clt-
zens were well founded. We do not include
among the conservatives, the advocates Of the
Topeka movement, headed by Jim Lane and
"Goyernor" Robinson. This faction took no
part in the recent election and are entitled to
no moro consideration than the ultra pro-sla-
very faction. The remarks Of the President
might apply with much propriety to the Tope-
kaites, but recent events have shown that there
is a large party in Kansas, who are disposed to
right their wrongs through the medium Of the
ballot box, and whose motives are justly enti-
tied to respect.
The President still maintains his original
opinion, that the immediate admission of Kan
sas will at once quiet all the difficulties in that
Territory, and localize the issue. A "great de-
lusion'' seems to pervade the minds of the Pres
ident and members Of the Cabinet in this res
pect The admission Of Kansas under the Le-
compton Constitution, 40 far from queting,
will still further complicate the difficulties in
that distracted Territory. II brought into the
Union. and the government troops withdrawn,
as proposed by the President, the Constitution
would not be suffered to go into operation, for
1t Is admitted that three-fourths Of the people
are violently opposed to it. On the other hand,
should the troops be retained to compel the peo-
pie to obey it, the general government would
at once be reduced to despotsm.
The reception of the message produced con-
siderable OF a furry in both branches of Con-
gress, and resulted In test vote being taken
in the House, ia which the Lecompton men
were defeated by majority of FIVE, on a mo-
tion to adjourn. Twenty members were absent
at the time. eleven of whom were understood to
be in favor of the immediate admission of Kan
sas, and nine opposed to the measure. Mr.. ].
B. Clay, of Kentucky, and three Democratic
members from New York, who voted to adjourn,
are also understood to be opposed to forcing
Kansas into the Union, with Constitution
which the people do not approve. We notice
that Mr.. McKibben, of California, voted with
the auti-Lecompton members. 1t is barely pos
sible the measure will be carried in the House,
though not probable. 1t is reported on pretty
good authority, that if the Lecompton men are
defeated again, they design bringing forward
compromise measure, which will receive the
assent of Mr.. Douglas aud his friends. The
Douglas Democrats have thus far kept aloof
from the Republicans, and are determined not
to cOalesce with them on any consideration.