Freeman's champion., 1858-01-28

1t would seem that there is power
behind the throne greater than the
throne--that the slave power governs
this as ii did the last aum nstration;
that no conduct however judicious,
nor doctrine OF popular rights howev.
er we'll established, nor principle OF
representative government however
important, is of any avail before the
insatiate demands of this despotic
power. Demo ocracy with such an'ex
position Of its cardinal principles as
the present administration is making,
becomes a by-word, Kissing and
reproach with all honest men. No
wonder that men who could not bear
the consolidation of Federalism
should resist the despotism Of Dem
ocracy. The course of such men as
Stanton, Walker and Douglas, as to
the policy attempted to he pursued
by the Administration in this Terri
tory in regard to the Lecompton Con-
stitution, is of cheering and encour.
aging character. Our principles in
action, however, must be self-protec-
tion--the work of making Kanzas q
free State devolveS especially upon
her citizens.
The present attempt on the part Of
the General Government with all its
executive patronage and power is to
force upon the people Constitution
framed by minority of the voters Of
one-half of the Counties of the Ter
ritory, and that, too, without giving
the people an opportunity to express
their dissent from any ofitsprovisions.
The pretended submission of he
ucStion OF slavery, the pet institu-
tion OF the Administration, and for
the protection and spread Of which,
the Federal Government seems to
exist, is in fact no submission al all,
1t is simply the establishing Of
slavery in the Territory and in the
State, let the people vote as they may
On this question, the Charleston
Is, G. } Mercury and Chicago Times
should be good Democratic authority
The Mercury says: "The Coustitu
ton is not to be submitted to the peo
pie, but only the article prohibiting
emancipation and authorizing the in
gress OF slaves from other States. Il
this article is rejected, it does no
abolish Slavery in Kan2aS."
The Chicago Times says: "'ThC
slavery clause gives the Legislature
power to provide Tor the emancipa
tion (by compensating the owner) o
all slaves, hut denies the power to pre-
vent the introduction Of more slaves
A voto For the Constitution will
{ Slavery lisa vote to establish and for
; ever maintain the institution with tn
Q power in the Legislature OF cmanci
= patton. A vote For the Constitu
E ton with no Slavery is a vote TO rec
Q ognize the existence OF slavery no,
t there, to keep those slaves who ar
| now in the Territory, and their natu
: raj increase, slaves during their lives
s and is q vote to strike out the powe
Y Of the Legislature to emancipate. :
: The Constitution without slavery
r means that slavery shall be contine
n to those slaves now there and their in
{ crease from generation to generation
4 with no power on the part OF the Leg
= islaturc to emancipate by compensa
d tion or any other way. The Con
Il stitution. with slavery allows NOR
r slaves to be brought to Kanzas, bu
gives the Legislature power to provid
y for their emancipation. We confeS
9 our inability to decide which OF thes
two alternatives is the more 'pro'sli
: very We incline to the opinion thu
Is the Constitution with no slavery
h the more pro-slavery.'" ,..o. ,.
o Notwithstanding, the President J
his Message says: 1.-The question h'
Vt been fairly and explicitly referred
r. the people whether they will have
r Constitution with, or without SLAYER.
70 At this election every citizen will hay
!. an opportunity Of expressing his opir
h ion by his vote whether Hanzas sha
N be received into the Union with {
10 without slavery" Ho also says
"Tbe question can never be mo-
l. clearly or distinctly presented to u
At people than 1t Is at the present mi
y mont"
d. Lest such language should not
ID sufficiently insulting to every titiz'
T. Of KNn2as, hc goes on 'ultheI 10 sa
va N abiding TO tho Convention that
v "A large proportion OF The citISel
70 OF H0nkas did no, thiuk proper
10 r3ylster thorl names 0ndto vote
9. the election Ior delegates bpt an y.
portlnity o,do tho h0yin2 Doel iai
y. ly afforded Their refusal TO AVA
" th5msclyGs vi their igAt, eou.a AM
tli ,,,,,,nar klnnt thn lu,suIyty ~ fha Gni