The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-01-29
Kansas Admitted to Statehood
Sixty Years Ago Today.
Three Proposed Constitutions
Failed of Approval.
ADMITTED JANUARY 20, 1861
Did Not Begin Development
Until After Civil War.
Topeka Constitution Is Ignored
by Congress.

Sixty years ago today Kansas was
admitted to statehood, following po-
itical strife and actual warfare prob
ably unparalleled in the territorial his
tory of any state. Slavery was the is
sue and in the struggle for supremacy
mems lives were valued cheaply. The
difficulties encountered in obtaining
admission to the Union are fittngly
expressed in the Kansas motto, lad
Astra Per Aspera."
Three proposed constitutions for the
state had failed of approval from con-
gress. Finally, in the summer OF 1889
the fourth constitutional convention
was held at Wyandotte. The animosl-
ties of the five preceding years had
softened and the free-state men were
up containing the provision, There
shall be no slavery in this state and
no involuntary servitude except for
crime. whereof the party shall have
been duly convicted This document
was submitted TO the people in the fan
and carried by large majority.
Congress was again petitioned for
admission. in the closing days of 1853:
But the country was on the verge OF
civil war and southern representatives
in congress naturally were not anxious
to admit a new state to add to the
anti-slavery forces. No action was
taken for a year Finally. in January
1861. some of the southern states nav
ing seeded. congress had free-state
majority. The question of admitting
Kansas under the Wyandotte constltu-
ton was Immediately called up and a
hill for that purpose passed. Presl-
dent Buchanan signed it the next day.
On January %. Kansas became the
thirty-fourth state in the Union and
another star was added to the consteI-
lation in the nations emblem
All Were Free State Men.
An election had been held in De-
cember. 1859, TO choose officials to as
sumo office upon granting or state
hood. DR.. Charles Robinson OF Law
renee was elected governor and James
II. Lane and Samuel c. Pomeroy'
United States senators. All three were
staunch free-state men. The Wyan-
dotte constitution designated Iopeka
as the temporary capital A perma-
nent capital was chosen at an election
in Novem Der. 1868. Topeka won with
eq6 votes Lawrence was second
with 5.291 while all other towns To-
gether received 1884.
1t was not until after the civil war
that Kansas began true development.
Previous to 1853 there mad been Httie
onportunity for state building because
of strife In 1859 and 1850 nearly
one-third of the 100000 settlers left
the territory on account OF a serious
drouth. Another third received as
sistance thru the New England Emil
The year 1861 however, was good
crop year and had it not been for the
war clouds. all would have appeared
suspicious for the new state.
First Territorial Governor.
The first territorial governor. An
drew H. Reeder, arrived in OCTOBER,
1854. Pro-slavery forces, with the aid
of Missourians. were able to carry the
first election and had everything their
way in the territorial legislature. Al
tho favoring slavery. Governor Reeder
did not favor the methods used He
was removed in August. 1855. The
uncertainty of the times is indicated
by the fact that ten men served as
territorial governor from 1854 to 1861.
Most of them either resigned or were
removed from office.
The free-state men, ignored by the
legislature. drew up the Topeka con-
stitution prohibiting slavery But con-
gress did not approve it
Hostilities ensued. As a climax
Lawrence was sacked and partially
burned. This was in 1856. Infuriated
because free-state men took no action
in retaliation John Brown of Osa-
watomie, the anti-slavery enthusiast
of Harper's Ferry fame, gathered
few men and carried out the "Potta
vatomie Massacre" killing five pro-
slavery settlers. Then followed -four
months reign of terror. with several
conflicts. including the battle of Black
Jack Men and money poured into
Kansas. Missouri was closed to free
state travel. THE Army of the North"
entered Kansas from Nebraska. In
opposition came the s,700" well
trained and equipped pro-slavery
fighters from Missouri who marched
for an attack on Lawrence, pillaging
Osawatomie on the way Governor
shannon personally insisted on their
rehabilitation and won. Thus ended
the period of violence.
Then followed political warfare with
two new constitutional efforts. Both
the pro-slavery Lecompton constitu-
ton and the free-state Leavenworth
constitution were defeated. Then came
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