Proslavery and Free-state Names Dropped. During the trouble over the Lecompton Constitution in the closing days of 1857 Governor Walker was compelled to resign, and in the autumn of 1858 Governor Denver, who succeeded him, voluntarily resigned. Although Denver was the fifth Territorial Governor, he was the first one who had not been compelled to give up his office. This was one of the indications that better days were beginning in Kansas. Lawlessness was practically over. The South was no longer hopeful of making Kansas a slave state. The settlers dropped the terms proslavery and free-state, and identified themselves with the National political parties.

The Wyandotte Constitution, 1859. In the summer of the next year, 1859, a fourth constitutional convention was held at Wyandotte. There was less hard feeling now between the two factions, and the members of this convention were from both political parties, Democrat and Republican. It was generally conceded by this time that Kansas was to be a free state, and the new Constitution contained the words, “There shall be no slavery in this State; and no involuntary servitude, except for crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted.” This was called the Wyandotte Constitution, and when it was submitted to the people in the fall a large majority of the votes were cast in favor of it.

Kansas Admitted to the Union, January 29, 1861. But the question was not yet settled, for Congress had to vote on the admission of Kansas under the Wyandotte Constitution. These events took place in the closing days of 1859, only a little more than a year before the beginning of the Civil War. Relations between the North and the South had become strained almost to the breaking point. The Congressmen from the South had given up hope of making Kansas a slave state, but they were certainly not anxious to admit it as a free state, and consequently a year passed before the Wyandotte Constitution of Kansas was acted upon. Finally, in January, 1861, some of the southern states seceded from the Union and their representatives and senators withdrew from Congress, leaving a free-state majority. The bill for the admission of Kansas under the Wyandotte Constitution was at once called up and passed. The next day it was signed by President Buchanan, and on January 29, 1861, Kansas became a state.

First State Officers. In December, 1859, shortly after the people had voted to adopt the Wyandotte Constitution, they held an election to choose state officers to act whenever Kansas should be admitted to the Union. For Governor they chose Dr. Charles Robinson, who had so faithfully served the free-state cause throughout the long but successful struggle. The first United States senators from Kansas were two other well-known free-state men, James H. Lane and Samuel C. Pomeroy. The Wyandotte Constitution designated Topeka as the temporary capital. An election was held in November, 1861, for the purpose of selecting a permanent capital. Topeka received 7996 votes, Lawrence 5291, and all other places 1184. Thus Topeka became the capital of Kansas.

SUMMARY

The first two and a half years of the Territorial period were spent in the warfare which was practically closed when Governor Geary sent “the 2700” home. The last four months of the two and a half years formed the “period of violence.” The next three years were given to the political struggle which ended with the adoption of the Wyandotte Constitution. During the remaining year the people went about their work, while this Constitution was pending in Congress. In 1857, early in the political period, the free-state people succeeded, for the first time, in electing the Legislature. The proslavery people prepared the Lecompton Constitution, but submitted to the people only two statements concerning it. The free-state people refused to vote, but held another election, at which the proslavery people refused to vote. After the Lecompton Constitution was returned from Congress it was voted on by both factions and defeated. In the meantime the free-state people submitted the Leavenworth Constitution, which was defeated. During the last six months of the political period the Wyandotte Constitution was prepared, adopted, and sent to Congress. This was in 1859. More than a year passed before Congress acted on the matter; then, January 29, 1861, Kansas became a state.

REFERENCES

QUESTIONS

1. How long was Kansas a territory? Into what periods may this time be divided?