The convention framed an instrument after the Missouri model, and incorporated in it an article guaranteeing the property in slaves already within the Territory. The convention then framed an independent provision in regard to slavery as a permanent institution of the new Commonwealth. This provision alone was to be fully submitted to the vote of the people. The people must take the Lecompton constitution with slavery as a permanent institution, or the Lecompton constitution without slavery as a permanent institution but containing a guarantee of the slave property already in the Territory. The day appointed by the convention for the voters to signify their approval or disapproval of the provision in regard to slavery as a permanent institution was December 21st, 1857, and the day designated for the election of members and officers under the new constitution was January 4th following.
| Protest of the "Free-state" men. |
The "Free-state" men regarded this submission of only a single article of the constitution to popular vote as a fraud upon the principle of "popular sovereignty," and demanded of Stanton, who was then discharging the Governor's duties, in the temporary absence of the latter, that the Governor's pledge as to the full submission of the proposed constitution to the people at the polls should be redeemed. Stanton bravely resolved to keep the Governor's word of honor, although he believed it would cost him his position.
| The extra session of the new Territorial legislature. |
What the "Free-state" men asked of him was to convene at once the new Territorial legislature, in which the "Free-state" men now had a majority of the seats, for the purpose of giving it the opportunity to order the full submission of the Lecompton constitution to the suffrages of the people. Stanton yielded to their request, and called the legislature to meet at Lecompton on December 7th. This body at once resolved to submit the proposed constitution fully and in all its parts to the people, to be adopted or rejected by them at their pleasure, and appointed the 4th day of the following January as the time for taking the vote.
| Stanton removed. |
Stanton was immediately removed from office by the Administration, and General John W. Denver, of Virginia, at the moment Indian Commissioner, was assigned to the duties of Acting Governor in the Territory.