The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-05-22
DiscelIapeops.
From the National Era.


Ere this, the telegraph has announced
to the country the passage of the Kansas
Conference Bill-the Bill to Bribe the
People Of Kansas to adopt the Lecompton
Constitution. The subject came up in the
House on the 28th, but no decision was
obtained till Friday, in consequence of
the apparently uncertain position of few
Southern men, who professed to consider
the bill as involving concession of South
ern principles. We suppose no one doubt
ed as to their final action, but their appa-
rent opposition gave eountenance to the
Northern Democrats who claimed that
the Bill conceded in fact the point of a
submission of the Constitution to the peo-
pie.
Friday, the majority having resolved
to close the matter, the previous question
was sustained, and the vote on concurring
in the report of the Committee stood 112
to 103. MIR. Quitman, of Mississippi, and
Mr.. Bonham, of South Carolina, were the
only Southern Democrats voting in the
negative, but, had the passage of the bill
depended upon their votes, we have no
doubt they would have been recorded in
the Affirmative. Davis, Harris and Ricaui,
Of Maryland; Underwood and Marshall, of
Kentucky, South Americans, maintained
their ground, voting all the way through
against the report. OF the twenty two
Anti-Lecompton Democrats, thirteen only
remained steadfast--Adrain, of n. j.; Clark
and Haskin, of n. Y; Davis, Ind; Har-
ris, MARSHALL, Morris, Smith and Shaw,
ILL.,; Chapman, Hickman and Montgome-
~, Pa; McKibben, Cal.-all of whom
voted in the negative, except Montgomery,
who had paired off with Lecompton
member. The nine Anti Lecompton DEM
ocrats who, after having done well for a
season, finally yielded their ground, and
by their action and votes in support of the
Conference bill, decided the struggle in
favor of Lecompton, were English and
Foley, Ind; Jones, Pa; Cox, Cockerill,
Groesbeck, Hall, Lawrence and Pendleton,
Ohio-nine in all. Had these men stood
by their original position, the vote against
the bill would have been 112, or rather
1l3, for Mr.. Gilmer. of North Carolina,
would, in that case, have voted in the
negative.
The same day, in the Senate, the report
was concurred in, and the bill, having re-
ceived the sanction of the President, is
now a Law.
As to the character of the measure, we
have little to add to the view taken Of it
In our last number.
1t is dignifed by calling it compro-
mlse-it is simply juggle. 1t has two
Voices-and was intended to have two
voices. 1t has two faces-and every one
who voted for it knows that it has two
iaces. Southern Democrats had taken the
ground that the Lecompton Constitution
was the legitimate work of a legitimate
Convention, which had declined to submit
II to the people for ratification or rejection
and that, therefore, Congress had no right
70 submit it, but was bound to accept it
IL republican in form that an act of Con.
gress submitting the Constitution to the
people of Kansas would be gross interven.
ton, and, therefore, a violation of the
principles of the Kansas Nebraska act, ot
the Cincinnati platform, and the vita
policy of the South.
nj. Douglas and his associates held that
although the Convention that formed the
constitution was not an illegal one, it die
no. fairly represent the people of Kansas
ana thai, not having submitted the Con
satut.on to the popular viii, Congress wa
pound to send that instrument back, ant
secure to the people fair opportunity {,
uec.de Tor or against it.
The Senate, controlled by those VIII,
maintained man the former position, passed
oil 70 admit Kansas under the Lscomp
Wn Constitution, with .disingenuous pro
slso, not affirming the right of the peopl
10 change that instrument at any time
oas dfsciain,ing any intention to affirm tn
ooatrary, SO as 10 give pretext to North
era democrats to claim the existence Q
such right.
The House, at first controlled by th
iS.ter view, substituted. for this bill tn
osstenden-M Montgomery amendment, sub
mltting the Constitution to fair popula
vote in Kansas.
how TO devise plan to hsrmonizs
samcient number of the supporters G
'0sss directly opposite views, was th