CHAPTER V

THE LECOMPTON FIGHT

The national contest of 1856 results in the election of James Buchanan as President--The Republicans of Illinois elect their state ticket--The Kansas war continues--Buchanan appoints Robert J. Walker governor of the territory--The Pro-Slavery party hold a convention at the town of Lecompton to form a state constitution--The Free State men decide not to participate, but to vote against the constitution when submitted to the people--The convention decides not to submit the constitution to popular vote--President Buchanan agrees to this plan--Governor Walker thereupon resigns his office and Senator Douglas opposes the admission of Kansas under the Lecompton Constitution--Both Trumbull and Douglas speak against the Lecompton measure and Congress rejects it--Douglas contemplates joining the Republicans 69