The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-11-09
SHALL KANSAS BE FREE4
KANSAS TERRITORY, lOM mo. %. /

KANSAS TERRITORY, l0M mo. %, 1854.
To the Editor Of the National Era:
Often does this question arise in the mind,
in view of the cOntending Influences now at
work in the country. When we consider that
there is now a clear majority of the settlers in
Kansas in favor of Freedom, and that these are
but sprinkling in comparison to the multi
tudes that are yet to come from the free States,
we feel cheering hope that Kansas will be
free. But when we remember the crafty work
lngs of the slave power and consider the in
fernal schemes now being set on foot to defeat
the cause of Freedom here, we cannot but pause
and reflect We learn from various sources
that steps are being taken, in the border coun-
ties Of Missouri, to throw a large amount of
transient population into Kansas, to control the
first election, and thus make the Legislature
sufficiently pro-slavery to pass a law legalizng
slavery in the Territory. We know that the
Douglas bill requires every voter to be an actu-
al resident of the Territory, but. no doubt.
means will be found to evade the reuuisition.
We feel that an important crisis is close upon
us, for upon the political character of the first
Legislature very much depends Could the
election be left in the hands of the bona tide
settlers Of the Territory, we should have little
to fear. But should we be so basey imposed
upon by transient voters, as to have such a
law passed, we must Immediately raise a cry
Of repeal, long and loud, until our end be ac.
complished
We believe that, with the blessings of Provi
dence, the sweeping tide of next years emigra-
ton will place the political power of the Ter
rtory in the hands of the friends of Freedom
During the summer and fall of the present year
have seen and cOnversed with intelligent men
from nearly every free State in the Union, and
from other sources of information. / think there
cannot be much short of hundred thousand
people now preparing to come to Kansas, all
true to Freedom and there are no less than
four Free Soil papers announced to be started
in the Territory this fall. Then, with such An
army of freemen, and such artillery in their
hands, how can Slavery finally triumph But
we are yet " feeble folk" and shall we be
crushed in our infancy?
The watch-dOgso Of Slavery continue to keep
up constant clamor of frightful stories, to dis
courage emigrants on their way from coming
to Kansas; and when these bug-bear stories
fail to produce the desired effect, they some
times try what virtue there is in threats There
is set of fellows in the employ of the Govern
ment as Indian agents, who are all of the most
ultra pro-slavery stamp. Several of these were
coming up the river a few days ago, on the
same boat with company OF emgrants, ana
after going though the usual routine of fright
full tales, they went so far to say that they
would instigate the Indians to use violence
against them. But, fortunately, there was an
officer of the military present, who sternly re-
buked them and told the emigrants that he was
glad to see them, and that they should be pro-
tected.
One of those agents denounced me as
ID Abolitionist, and warned the emigrants
against me as bad man and for what? Sim
ply because / am opposed to Slavery. Is it So
then, that the Administration keeps set of
drinking, gambling desperadoes on the frontier,
to wrong peaceable emigrants, and to abuse
law-abiding citizens, who see it right and feel
it their privilege to advocate the cause of Free.
dom Oh, what a beautiful thing is squatter
sovereignty, when pro-slavery Government
fills all the Offices in its power with such tools
as will guard the interests of Slavery, by threats
Of violence against those who are in favor of
Freedom! RICHARD INCIDENTAL,