New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-03-15
KANSAS.
TIE CONVENTION.
lryespondent.


LAWRENCE, X. T., March 3, 1853.
In week we have the election for delegates to a
Constitutional Convention. In two weeks more
we have the Convention itself. Yesterday was
the day fixed on pretty generally through the Ter.
rtory for nominating Conventions to bring candi-
dates before the people. A county Convention was
in session in this place during the most of yester-
day, and nominated ten candidates, the number al.
lotted to this county. OF these, four from Law
renee, two from Lecompton, one from Blooming
ton, and the other three from other parts Of the
district. In LeayenwOrtb an attempt TO nominate
was made on Saturday night last, bat failed. A
stormy and excited session there on what the Con-
yenton should or should not d. consumed the night,
and necesstated an adjournment until Monday. /
learn that nominations have been made there, but
hOn Cannot say.
This new Convention movement wears some Gu.
rOus aspects OF the strict technical legality Of
these steps, presume there can be no doubt. But
Denver affects TO doubt. With shrewdness that
does his head more credit than his heart, he inter-
poses no apparent objections. He issues proc
lamatiOns thereon, makes no speeches. he began
by putting the bill in his pocket, rather by en-
Oyerstrained effort to do so. When he has been adj
dressed, he simply says that it is no law, but be
quietly allows others to think and act they please
in the premises lie knows that such vent for the
popular feeling will be safety-yslye. He and bis
master can assume that every thing this Convention
doe, is lawless: time enough. This Constitutional
Convention will serve the purpose of efectualy
killing the old Topeka Constitution; and when that
is done completely. ii will be time enough to squeeze
10 death successor that has its fate toreshsdowed
in that of the Peoples Constitution.
Our Governors and Presidents are gamblers.
They throw the political dice with remorseless
hand. They calculate the chances cruelty. They
rule the world by rfHue of its vices, and lean upon
all the corrupt clements of society as their egiti-
mate helpers. Before this new Constitution is born,
they have yllaniOusly determined that il shall share
the fate Of the peoples Constitution. Fools they
we're who thought there was an atom OF sincerity in
the preteIse that the Topeka Constitution was OBJ
jectoDable merely because it had not grown out of
the Territorial Legislature. Every step that will
give the government of Kansas TO IFS people and
as consequence, Kansas 70 freedom will be objec.
tionable The rights Of the people the lightest
feathers in the balance The same remorseless
enemy VIII work Tor Slavery and the interests of
slavery.
Already the Administration interests are quietly
but busily at work Their argument is that the
Free-State men should take the LecOmpton COnsti-
tuition; that they Will have power enough TO man.
age il and change the instrument; and that such
course viii be the only legitimate one the only pos.
sible one the one for property interests, the one
that VIII secure peace, on which pecunary inter-
ests hang. Thus is it hoped 10 secure the selfish
interests. The result Of State elections under the
new Constitution will send disappointed and reck-
less ambition aloat. The agents of the cunning
Administration can pick them up and set them st
mischief The fate Of Topeka may thus be the fate
of the new State Constitution. Thus cunniDgy do
the shiny serpents work. Slavery goes on steadily,
as il hiss done.
In the face Of this the expectation is that the peo-
pie viii be united on their new Constitution; ths.
oil the old schisms, artfuly fomented by the
my, will be obiterated Such are the hopes and the
prospect. Still, think it is more than likely that
the Constitution about 10 be framed viii be the
Constitution Of the State of Kansas.