The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-01-14
KANsAs-THE POSITION OF THE nn...

public"
KANsAs-THE POSITION OF THE oUys,,I
For weeks past the newspapers have ~.
ed startling accounts from Kansas, got n, II
most approved style of sensation.typop,.,l- II
nouncing Treason, Rebellion, Civil Wa, .. +
Battles, Bloodshed, and ConfagrstioD
originated such reports, or what was ,S.;.
ject, unless to make newspapers sell reall. j.
do not know. AT first, the washington =. l.
giving full credit to them, talked of D.
Republican rebellion, of the Territorv \.
plunged into civil war by the Black R.o.N
can Party, and it insisted more than a.. j.
the vast Importance of recognising irsts,,. II
Lecompton Constitution as the only rens:- J.
the mischief. But, subsequent accoupt.s.I
| ing discredit on the fearful rumors. i
round, and began to charge the Black Rem
cans with getting up the imaginary ~
for the purpose of keeping the Public min, II
cited! A perfect wind mill is the Union
and round it goes, grinding out the same
no matter from what quarter the wind blov.
1t is consolstory to know that there bs. j
no rebellion, no civil war, no battle bats I
Lanes militia and Harney's regulars. 4
This week, We publish letter from E,,
Heath, of Kansas, giving an account of III. i.
ion among our friends in the Territo.v II i
gard to voting. AS to the election ords,.i
the 2lst of December, there was little f il
difference of opinion among them. Tbsv j
that, if they voted at all, they must vote "a,
Constitution; and therefore refused to take
part in the election. That was right. B.,
Legislature, at its special session, hayD, y.
vided for submitting the whole Constuf
fairly to the People, the Free State men s,,.
generally, to vote. And that wa, III
A fair opportunity being presented on The n
of January, for the expression of the Peonl.
will for or against the Constitution, We have /
doubt that the People voted, and the re,r,-
when reported, will show on which side liz.
majority.
But, another question arose: The Presil.
is committed to the Lecompton Constitute
stands pledged to use all his influence to Sec
its recognition by Congress, in each Hons.
which his Administration is sustained by
jority. There is danger that, despite the opu'
sition of the Republican members and the 4
test of Mr.. Douglas and his friends. the P,|
Slavery instrument may be adopted Cslc|
iating upon this event, the Convention ,h|
framed it ordered the election for State obos
to be held on the 4th of January. Now, if !
suffer this election to be carried by default 4
Kansas be admitted into the Union as o So
under the Lecomp ton Constitution, the Goys1
ment Of the new State will be in the han
of the usurpers; Pro-Slavery United Sal
Senator'S will be elected and the prospect d
new Convention to amend or substitute the ca
stltution will be Indefinitely postponed. Bat
we take part in this election, choose the Gove
or, tie Legislature, and members of Congre]
and secure the Representation in the Unitd
States Senate, we eau rid ourselves of the II
Constitution and the rule of the usurpers vi
out delay. There is no danger that our motive
can be mistaken, should we vote. We sa,
not thereby recognise the Convention bs
framed the Lecompton Constitution, or sppyoI
OF that instrument, or give any countensncs
the policy of the President, but, our action VI
show that we are determined to prevent go
as In US lies, the hateful consequences of d
recognition of such an instrument through /,
evil counsels of the President and the indefen
bic action of Congress.
The question was discussed, as we learn,
delegate Convention of the Free State me-
but they were unable to agree, and divisis
took place. Those in favor of voting, nomiu
ted ticket, and the policy found favor in ms
parts of the Territory-to what extent, it is in
possible to say, until the returns of the elscta
shall be received. We regret that there vl
any division. 1t would have been we'll if Cd
friends had united as one man in support oil
ticket of their own, so as to have provide,
for every contingency. Had they done this
and elected their candidates, it would not hsv
ebsted the zeal of the opponents in Conges
OF the Lecompton Constitution, while it wOat
certainly have been an inducement to those VIII
have been its supporters, to agree to the pOlcl
Of an enabling act.
Meantime, there seems to be q general ds
position to await the returns from all the eector
IN Kansas-not only that of the 2lst ult., ba
those of the 4th January. The President all
The new Governor recognise them oil as legd
mate, although the former has avowed his p1r
pose to be guided by the vote (partal as v
know it isl of the Dist December.
The Union (the Administration organl from
day to day urges the recognition of the LeconP
ton Constitution as test measure, and decia
upon the adolity of supporter of the Admin
i5tration by his adherence to that measure
Mr.. Toombs, it is understood, sustans it bu
declines to become its leaGing champion in th
Senate. Mr.. Brown, of Mississippi, after hsV
log been twice arrested in O speech. intende
as reply to Mr.. Douglas, avows hs purpOs
to postpone it, until further returns froll Ksu
sas shall present practical question. Cav
ernor Wise, of Virginia, in letter to the Tan
many Hail Democracy, New York, differs bot
from the President and Mr.. Douglas, and seen
to support the policy of Mr.. Pugh, who Won.
have Congress recognise the Lecompton Con
stitution, with Proviso for submitting H'
question of Slavery to fair vote of the peOPs
The Neso York Herald, the principal Chan
p;ou of the Administration, goes for the IL
compton Constitution, without qualifcsucH
1t holds up to the South the new free States
Minnesota and Oregon, and insists that the'
can be no objection to the admission Of han's
as a slave State. 1t stimulates the slaveho'
ers to adhere to this policy it does not bels'
they will submit to the rejection of Ksnss'
and it tries to frighten the Conservative al
Commercial Interest of the North with predlc
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