The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-08-27
The Chicago Timea

The Republican press of Kansas have
quoted the Chicago Times as in favor of
the Wyandott instrument, and hence con
clude that Douglas is in favor of it. In q
late issue of the Times, we find the fol-
lowing: ,,.-s
The Chicago Journal says that we have
denounced the Kansas constitution. We
have done no such thing. 1t says we
advocate that instrument. We do not;
our time to do that will be next winter,
if it passes the tribunal of the people of
Kansas. Let our neighbor compose itself,
and stop lying.
In another article it says:
We have read it carefully; and while
We discover several things in it, which
we might oppose, were we citizens of
Kansas, we still are free to confess that
with its general tone and character we are
entirely satisfied. We do not find that it
in any way conflicts with the Constitution
Of the United States, nor that it is likely
to ffend the true and healthy national
sentiment of the country. If no part of
this instrument is kept back, and if we
have read it Alright, we do not see how
any opposition can be made to it by DEM
ocrats in Congress. We rejoice to be able
to form this opinion; for it is high time
the Kansas complication had ceased. We
rejoice, too, that at length, despite viru-
lent opposition, the principles Of popular
sovereignty, for which We are contending,
has borne such agreeable fruits in Kansas.
Let her people have fair chance at the
polls to vote on the question Of acceptance
of the new constitution; If it shall be
accepted, then let Congress admit the new
State Immediately, and the country will
have internal peace once more; the De-
mocracy will have new lease of power;
hut the Republicans, they will be without
occupation, or anything to nourish them.
Indeed, If the convention that framed
this constitution was not decidedly Re-
publican in its politics, we should expect
the Republicans to oppose the adoption
of its work. We know that il the same
constitution had been concocted by =
Democratic convention, it would be
fought by the Republicans to the bitter
end. So far as the condition Of the negroes
is affected under it we are sure nobody
will pretend that any competent body Of
Democrats ever made constitution or
other enactment, that was more severe on
the subject race" and yet this was Re-
publican convention, and its work must
be accepted by the Republican party. 1t
will 60 down hard, for with it they have
got to swallow all their platforms and
public addresses for the last five years.
But we do not think the Republicans
Of Kansas have treated their friends in the
States quite fairly. They have left them
in the lurch.
There is no question about the willing
ness of the Douglas Democrats to admit
Kansas with such Q constitution as her
people may adopt, even though 10 that
the elective franchise had been sx-
tended irrespective of color or sex. Such
was the position taken by Douglas Demo-
Gratis in 1856. and they will not swervs
from it. But there are leading Repubt-
cans in the Senate who opposed the ad-
mission Of Minnesota and Oregon because
their constitutions made unjust discrini-
nations against negroes. If consistent,
these men win be compelled to oppose
the Kansas Constitution.
But because the position 10 taken that
Congress will not oppose the admission of
Kansas, provided ths people endorse the
Constitution, tha. is no argument in favor
of the instrument If the people Of
Kansas choose to bind on themselves an
odious constitution, Congress viii not in
tsrfsrs to relieve them Of their burden.