Page 12
University Daily Kansan
Friday, Jan. 20, 1961
100 Years Ago-
Slavery Issue Divided Kansas
By Karl Koch
"Cheering and music and all manner of exultation" greeted the news that on Jan. 29 Kansas had become a state, according to a 1861 issue of the Lawrence Republic.
The editor of the same paper exuberantly wrote on Jan. 31: "She (Kansas) has been a virgin territory so long, we feared the fate of all over-ripe maidens; but as some women, like fruit, are sweetest just before they begin to decay, Kansas, in her maturity, was more attractive than in her youth."
Kansans who favored statehood had good reason to be exuberant; the struggle to become the 34th state had been hard.
The conflict between freestaters and the pro-slab forces had delayed any positive action by the territorial legislature.
The Lecompton constitution was submitted to the voters in Dec., 1857. It offered the alternative of outright slavery, or slavery with the proviso that no new slaves were to be brought into the state. Free-
staters refused to go to the polls and the constitution was rejected.
Later in 1858, after the freestaters had gained control of the territorial legislature, the Lecompton Constitution was again put to a vote. The freestaters hoped this time there was no choice as to the slavery question. The pro-slave party snubbed the polls and the constitution was again rejected.
In 1858 Congress passed the English bill, which offered Kansas immediate statehood if it accepted the Lecompton Constitution. If Kansas failed to approve the Constitution it would have to wait until its population was 93,000 before becoming eligible again for statehood.
Kansans were not to be pushed; the bill was defeated for the third time.
Finally on Oct. 4, 1859, after the free-staters had gained a considerable majority of the Kansas settlers, the Wyandotte Constitution was accepted by the people.
The Republicans and Democrats immediately begin to struggle for state offices. The Republicans, starting a tradition that has seldom been violated, carried the entire state ticket, and elected the U.S. congressional representative.
Merely being organized proved not to be enough, however. Now Congress had to be convinced. Claims that Kansas did not have the necessary population for admittance, and that Kansas had illegally annexed the Cherokee Strip in setting its boundaries, brought hopes of statehood to a swift halt.
Congress tabled the Kansas admission bill, keeping Kansas from participating in the national elections of 1860.
In December 1860 the bill was introduced into the Senate. With the elections safely behind, there was little opposition.
On Jan. 29, 1861, President Buchanan signed the bill admitting Kansas to the Union.
Kansas had finally gained the stars; but only through great difficulty and years of waiting.
Union Memorial to War Dead
The star-covered bunting decorating the speaker's stand had 129 gold stars in its center. A crowd of more than 3,000 watched as the memorial to the 129 lives represented by these stars was dedicated.
"This parchment contains the names of those who gave proof of their great love for their country in the greatest war for humanity that the world has ever known," the speaker said.
"Countless martyrs have fallen in the great fight for human rights. And from across the waters came the cry for help from the sons and daughters of Columbia-land. These 129 people paid the supreme price.
"WE ARE ENDEAVORING TO show that we honor, love and claim them. They belong not to us, not to any nation, but they belong to humanity. This building and you men and women shall perish, but the freedom these dead fought for shall not pass away."
The speaker was Sherman Elliott. On April 30, 1926, he read the names of the men and women in whose memory the Kansas Memorial Union was built. He then presided over the laying of the cornerstone of the building.
The list of names was placed in a copper box in the cornerstone which was then lowered into place by a group of ex-service men.
Also in the box, still in the cornerstone of the original part of the Union building, are the front pages of 11 newspapers who aided in the memorial campaign, a copy of the Kansas City Star containing the news of the declaration of war and a copy containing the news of peace, a photograph of Gov. Ben S. Paulen, a copy of the Graduate magazine giving the history of the memorial drive, a picture of the Jayhawk and three roses.
THIS CEREMONY represented a six year drive for funds to finance the construction of a five story Union building for KU students. The fund drive started in Nov., 1920, when students pledged $150,165 toward the cost of construction.
A student total of $186,203 was added to the faculty, alumni and private donations to finance the building.
On Feb. 23, 1923, came the news the entire University had been waiting for—the state senate had passed a bill authorizing the construction of the building. The site was chosen, the bids let out and in April, 1926.
the cornerstone laying ceremony took place.
The main floor of the Kansas Union was officially opened for all visitors for the Homecoming game on Saturday, Nov. 18, 1927. Students, alumni and friends thronged through the building to see what they had paid for.
This was just the beginning of the Kansas Union as today's students know it. Since 1927 two other major additions have been added to the facilities offered by the Kansas Union. It is now in six levels and contains meeting rooms, eating facilities, offices, a bookstore and a bowling alley.
The first of the additions came after World War II and the second was completed for the Homecoming game in 1960.
Although the two additions were financed with federal and state funds, the original part of the Union may stand apart from the other buildings on campus. It is the only one which was paid for by student, faculty and alumni donations.
The average Ph.D. thesis is nothing but a transference of bones from one graveyard to another.-J. Frank Dobie
(Those Bear Finals That Is)
WHAT, ME WORRY?
WE'RE LOADED FOR BEAR —
Carryout Snacks for Finals
★ FOUNTAIN DRINKS
★ HOT COFFEE or CHOCOLATE
★ ASSORTED SANDWICHES
★ COOKIES & CRACKERS
★ FRESH FRUIT
JAYHAWK CAFE-1340 Ohio
★ FREE BLUE BOOK WITH EACH ORDER CARRIED OUT
MANY STUDENTS use the last few days of classes to make up for all the work left undone earlier in the semester. Watkins Library, instead of the Hawks' Nest, becomes the campus' Grand Central Station. Weary eyes peer at required readings and no-doz stimulated students promise themselves they will do the text reading earlier next time. But next semester comes and like New Year's resolutions the bleary eyes and the good intentions are soon forgotten in favor of Coke dates and bridge games.
Italian-accented fashion, that is beautifully interpreted in this slender shoe with the handsewn details.
Burnt Ivory Saddle Leather - AAAA to B to 10
10.95
ROYAL COLLEGE SHOP