The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-09-03
The 1tsfalo Of Freedom.
LAWRENCE. K. II.
Saturday Morning, Sept. 8. 1859.
Judgs Johns,On's Position.

We gave, two weeks since, a sketch of
Mr.. PARRoTT's remarks in acceptance of
his nomination. We now, as matter Of
even-handed justice, transfer to our col
umns from the Leavenworth Herald, the
following sketch of Judge JoHNsToN's
remarks at the Leavenworth ratification
meeting, Aug. Goth:
He expressed his gratitude, in happy
manner, for the honor which had been
conferred upon him. He meant to enter
upon the labors of the canvass immedi-
ately. He was ready and waiting for the
invitation which his opponent, Mr.. Par
rOtt, had intimated would be extended to
him, and which, when received, would bs
accepted without delay.
The speaker then reviewed, in cour-
teous yet thorough manner, the course of
his opponent while representing Kansas
In the National Legislature. He (Parrott)
went to Washington with as fine an op-
portunity of distinguishing himself, as any
man who ever entered public life. The
eyes Of the whole country and of the
world were upon Kansas, and her Repre-
sentative. But the question which he
(the speaker) meant to put to the people
of this Territory and to his opponent, was
what did he do ? What did he accom-
plish towards advancing the material 10.
terests of Kansas Iowa, while in Ter.
ritorial condition, had received immense
land grants from the General Govern
ment; so had Minnesota; so had Oregon
And all this was obtained through tht
tact and perseverance of their Delegates
But what had Kansas received? ? Moth
ing.
Kansas wanted a Representative wht
would work for her, not use her as leve
with which to move the machinery o
politics in other States not to make o
her political capital for New Hampshire
New York and Ohio.
The speaker then referred to the wy
andott Constitution. He said, in tn
outset, that he was opposed now, as h
had been one year aud half since, to
State Government. Kansas had mucl
to receive before she should wish to ente
the Union as a State. She wanted Ian,
for railroad purposes; she wanted appro
priations for public buildings, for bridges
&c. But, were he ever so much in favo
Of State Government, be should be un
alterably opposed to coming in under tn
Constitution framed at Wyandott Con
stitution which he did not hesitate to pro
nounce unfair, partisan, hypocritical an
outrageous.
h. then adverted to the article in tn
Constitution on Suffrage. He objected t
the doubtful language in which the quail
6cations of voters were defined. II di
not read the white male citizens, an
those only should be allowed to vote
but it read that "every white male pei
son of twenty -one years old and upward
(here comes in the residence qualities
tion,) shan be deemed qnalifel electo
Under cover of such equivocal languag
the first Legislature ight allow negrot
to vote, for they were not forbidden.
The speaker criticised in masterl
style the other Objectionable features
the Constitution. He was Justly sever
upon the apportionmest scheme. II
said it virtually disfranchised sever
counties, and that was one of the ho,o
which was made over the Lecompton Coz
stitution.
The speaker referred to, and dwelt
some length upon the enormous taxatiC
which Republican legislation had impose
upon the people. He said his opponel
would have to defend these measures,
disavow entirely his connection and sy
psthy with them.
We have not space to follow the gel
tlemen further in his remarks. His speec
was an able one, and clearly indicated IL
manner in which the canvass is to be col
Quoted.