Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1858-01-26
X ansas fairs.

Kansas Affairs.
We see nothing in the late phases of
the Kansas complications to induce US
to change our views touching the reception
of the Lecompton Constitution and the adj
mission of Kansas as State with it. We
are, on the contrary, strengthened in our
position by them. If, as telegraphed, the
Free State men, voting under the author
ity of the said constitution, have elected
their entire State ticket, the Congressman,
and majority of both branches of the
Legislature, the fact furnishes additional
evidence of their having greater numerical
strength than their opponents-a strength
which, if exerted periodically, would have
enabled them, long since, to have put an
end to all the exctements and agitations
in the territory, growing out of the ques-
ton of slavery. Whilst, it furnishes ad-
ditonal evidence of these things, it also
illustrates the wickedness of their course,
in refusing to vote in the election for dele
gates to the constitutional convention,
thereby permitting their opponents to
triumph and to frame a constitution which
they are trying to repudiate. 1t was
within their power to elect a majority of
the delegates to the convention, and to
construct just such a constitution as they
desired; but they, for the purpose of max
ing mischief, refused to exercise their power.
And since, by their default, constitution
has been formed Objectionable to them,
Congress should not, in our opinion, knock
under to the spirit of evil which governed
them, and reject it. The constitutional
convention was just as competent to act
as if it had been elected by the unanimous
voice of the people of Kansas, and its
work is just as binding. A case somewhat
analogous is presented in the railroad tax
of Davidson county. The question of tax
alton was submitted to our citizens, q large
majority of whom were opposed to the tax
but they refused to vote, and the tax was
carried by minority vote. They are
groaning under the oppressive burden; and
are likely, for generations to come, to con-
tnue grooming. They would like to throw
off the load, but they cannot. They are
compelled to bear the consequences of their
unfortunate refusal to vote. So, it should
be with the Kansas faction. They should
be coerced to. submit to the Lecompton
Constitution, and to live under it until
they acquire the power to alter it, as they
will have the right to do We have no
idea of gratifying faction of free soil
land sharks, and corrupt tools of Abolition
Aid Societies, by urging Congress to sue
cumb to their demands They have for
feited all claims to forbearance, and none
should be extended to them.
But, these considerations aside, what is
to be gained by submitting to the demands
of the Kansas fanatics and their sup
porters? VIII they accept the enabling
act proposed by Mr.. Douglas? They tell
us they will not-that they will not accept
any enabling act. Why? Because they de-
sire 10 keep the Kansas "bone of contention"
for another Presidential campaign. They
don't want the complications adjusted, and
the territory restored to quiet. That is not
in their programme. They want the whole
thing to be managed, with view TO the ma
tional spoils, and they will consent to no 9TH
er management. Shall they be gratifed
As Southern men, who have seen the country
fretted and alarmed by the slavery issues,
mixed up with Kansas, and all important
questions of national policy, subordinated
to the cry of ringers" and abolition"
we say no 7 Let the Lecompton Constitu-
ton be received, and State organized
under it. Then these disturbing questions
viii be settled by the people most interes-
ted in them, without interference from
without. If the free State men have the
strength they claim, the first Legislature
that assemblies under the authority of the
State of Kansas can provide for State
Convention to alter, or amend, the Consti-
tuition or TO frame al entirely new instru-
ment. As Southern men. we desire this
policy to be pursued. As Americans we
demand it, that an opportunity may be AZ
forded the party for presenting its principles
to the people disconnected from all dis
tracing issues. We have never had fair