Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-06-23
A VOICE FROM KANSAS.

VOICE FROM KANSAS.
The Nebraska bill has become law, the
Missouri Compromise repealed, and the door is
open for the ingress Of Slavery into these Tor
rit0ries, once cOneecrated to Freedom by SOL
emn act Of our National Legislature The war
ia now removed from the halls Of Congress to
the Territories and already has tho struggle
commenced. The enemies Of human freedom
are making threats of what they will do in the
contest, and this contest cannot be regarded
with indifference by any true friend Of human
rights. How much more then to us, who live
on the contested ground, is this n question OF
the most absorbing interest. There are few
tried friends Of freedom here who will stand
up to the contest to the last.
We have chosen this as our future home,
and the home of our children after us, and
greatly do we desire to rcpose under the shad-
ow of the tree Of liberty, rather than the
blghting curse Of Slavery. We desire to main
tain the dignity Of labor, which we cannot do
in q land of slaves. Believing that it is the
duty of every man to earn his living by the
labor Of his own hands, and by the sweat Of
his own brow, we would live, where it is re-
spectacle for men to labor where we can la
associate with slaves; where the arts, manu-
factures, and education, can flourish where
the people are sober, virtuous, and respect tho
duties OF religion.
\ Above all, we regard Slavery as great evil,
and contrary to the law Of God, and every
principle Of right and Justice. These are tho
considerations for which we would contend J;
and shall we struggle alone? Shall our little
band alone raise our feeble voices against the
dark waves of Slavery, and be engulphed in its
sweeping flood? No; a voice like the roar OF
thunder, sounding family in the distance, an
swers, no. Oh then let the watchword be
sounded from one end Of the land to the other,
.To the rescue God grant that Freedom
be victorious in the last struggle, and the great
enemy Of human freedom the slave power, he
completely foiled in this foul attempt to sub
vert the liberties of our once glorious Union,
but now becoming a hissing and by-word to
the ends of the earth.
The course to be pursued by the friends of
Freedom, in preventing these Territories from
becoming slave States, is very plain one; and
if rightly pursued, the victory will surely be
ours, though it may be gained by much ardu-
ous toll and faithful Watching. Eternal vigil
ance is the price of liberty and let none of
the friends Of liberty sleep now, unless they be
content to sleep forever
Let men, warmly and unfinchingly devoted
to the cause Of liberty, emigrate by hundreds
and thousands TO these Territories, at the earli-
est practicable period-men who will work
boldly and fearlessly for the spread of free
principles Let press be established at some
suitable point at an early day, to advocate the
cause of Freedom; and by these combined in
huences, we will kindle fire for liberty that
cannot be quenched.
The slave power, having effected tho passage
Of this its fnvorite measure, may attempt, BY
other schemes equally monstrous for the ex-
tension Of Slavery, to draw your attention away
from this contest. But we beseech you, be not
deceived. The slave power has surely ruled
the destinies Of this nation long enough. Will
the people of the free States ever awake to
true sense Of their interests, or will they slum-
Der on, and tamcly suffer themselves to become
u willing and easy prey to the enemy! We
have been shsmelcssly and cruelty betrayed by
our Representatives in Congress. Let them be
speedily hurled from their responsible but.
much-abused stations, and let mon of undoubt-
ed integrity ON this great question of human
liberty be elected TO ft their places The
people must take the work into their own
hands, and teach their Legislators that their
will must be obeyed, or our liberties will ever
be in danger.
Since writing the above, have heard the
particulars of o meeting held in our post town,
Wtstport Missouri, few days ago, to consider
what mee cures should be taken to prevent en-
igration from the free States into this Territory
Some fiery speeches were made, urging upon
the people to keep back such emigration, peace
ably if they could, but by the use of muskets
and bowe-knives if they must The speakers
admitted that there was no hope of securing
Nebraska to Slavery, but that they were de-
termined to establish it in Kanses at all haz-
ards. Resolutions were passed, embodying the
sentiments Of the speeches, and wish was
expressed to have them published all over the
Union. hope they may be published in every
paper in the free States. But little enthusiasm
was manifested by the audience, and it is be-
lieved that no very considerable number Of the
people Of Missouri would sanction such a move
ment Many Of them are opposed to Slavery,
and some are bold in denunciation Of the evil
And now hear Of another meeting at indie
pcndence, at which it was resolved to set stakes
and shoot every man from the free States who
should pass them! RICHARD MENpENuALL.
Kansas Territory 6h month Z, 1854.