The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-08-13

Meeting Of Settlers At Waharousa Creek.
[Correspondence Of the 81. Louis Republican,
WRSTPORT Aug 1874


DEAR SR-Agreeab:e to Q cali that was
heralded through the Territory some weeks
since, meeting of abolition settlers convened
ct Back Bone Ridge near the Waharousa
creek, for the purpose of establishing branch
lodge Of that humane institution, that the most
experienced political diplomatists have at last
denominated 'the Parker conspiracy"
The attendance was small but mighty, i'm
posing but not invincible. The whole number,
when counted in round numbers, amounted to
thirty -one-hardly the complement of "the
guard;" and Of this number, / may venture,
that q majority were Of the hardy pioneer
descent-men honest and honorable in their in
tentiOns, if not recommended by the same de-
gree Of selfaccredited humanity claimed by the
minority.
The meeting was organized by the appoint
ment of Mr. Wakefield AS president, and a
Mr.. Woods, Of Washington Era notoriety, as
secretary. Several speeches were then made,
not very infammatory in their character, as
from all appearance 1t seemed judcious not to
use very combustible material on the occasion,
less perchance an explosion might take place,
and accidentally kill Mr.. Woods, who was the
most eficious character And thus the only
surviving heirs of the deceased patriotism,
philanthropy and humanity be left as pail
bearers to perform the last sad rites Of burial at
the grave Of dead abolitionist, with his mar
tial cloak around him."
A committee was then appointed to draft re-
solutions expressive of the purposes and senti-
ments of the meeting. One short hour having
elapsed, the time allowed as an intermission for
the committee, for concentrating in few words
all the tender sentiment, noble intensity and
high resolves of men VINO felt that all the great
interests Of c0lored humanity were in their
hapd DIS; the report is at length announced, and
the great work yet in embryo, only waits the
impress of reclamation.
After long preamble of "whereas" aud
whereas, and whereas, and whereas, we are
eredibly informed, that no appropriations OF the
startling worth OF the "darkie" had yet been
announced. The clear, full voice of the secre-
tary was at last heard resOunding with the So
lemn accent of those determined and convincing
words, i" therefore Resolved"
Unavoidable circumstances prevented me
from being present ut this conclave; and al
though have spared no pains, have been nn-
able to get any thing like verbatim report Of
these "results." In all Of them, however, the
most guarded expressions were used, upon all
questions bearing upon the subject of slavery,
or the rights Of settlers to bring slave property
into the Territory.
The only one that could possibly be con-
strued as involving any scattering of abolition
sentiment, read something in this wse;--
Resolved furthermore, " That God Almi ghty
in his bounty has bestowed upon all mankind
lands sufficient tOfurnish habitatiOns and susie
nance for all men, whether black or white; aud AS
grateful recipients of this bounty, We will use
every endeavOr to protect all men in the enjoy
ment of this boon of Providence"
This was not the precise language, but SO far
as lean learn, it contains the sentiment Of the
only resolve at all tinctured with the Wanted
impartality and clemency of this higher order
Of negro philanthropy.
n, "a AZ
ton Of the resolves, when the christening reso-
luton was read, some dissatisfaction was mani
tested, and o motion was made to strike out
"The Actual Settlers Association" aud insert
the "Waharousa Association"
While this motion was pending, motion to
adjourn was made and carried by the casting
vote of the Chair. Previous, however, to this
grand finale, it was resolved, "that copy OF
| the proceedings of the meeting be forwarded
to the Hon. Thos II. Benton, of NO., and Sena-
tor Chase, of Ohio, to be endorsed and publish
ed in such journals Of the country, as through
their influence might impart character to the
meeting"
Il Pluribus Unum A star fell from heaven,
and the convention adjourned, "all the while
sonorous metal blowing martial sound"
should have mentioned that before the
meeting convened it was reported that dele
gates would be appointed to q mass meeting,
TO be held at place called the Big Timber, on
the 18th OF August. As the meeting failed to
meet at the hour of adjournment, this honor
was not conferred upon many anxious aspirants.
Ii was, indeed, unfortunate that any diff
Guilty should occur among men engaged in such
laudable work, especially so serious as to pre-
vent them from attending to the sacred ties Of
baptism.
One would have supposed that the sprinkling
would have been the first ceremony, as its sanc-
tity would have doubtless inspired them with q
solemn and revercntial awe. But here, as else
where, we may learn that prudence is not al
ways the frontier of discretion. A step in the
dark is always uncertain, ard the next may be
fatal. May they profit by this first experience.
and learn a lesson that should have been
credited to their earlier manhood-that the
true American builds the fabric of his policy
upon national principles, while the fanatic
builds upon some popular sectional discussion.
The rock will stand, but the unstable sands are
ever shifting.
AS codicil to these remarks, allow me to
furnish you with local item of some import
ance in these trying times -
The abolition excitement has been running so
high at Weston, that the authorities have or
dered all free gentlemen Of color to leave the
town.
Since the issue of this ordinance, Mr.. $50
has been detected in selling papers to these uu-
fortunate men, allowing them Tor ten dollars to
pass unmolested to the Territory. As fur
Their mark Of bis philanthropy, he has been de-
tected in instigating some several bondmcn to
leave without papers. On being arrested he
was aogged, one side of his head shaved, and
such other marks were left upon his person as
will inform the public, of his character. He was
then notified to leave the town in twenty -four
hours. This is but another admonition that
the way Of the transgressor is hard"
Correspondence Of the Philadelphia Ledger
ST. JOSEPH, Mo-, July e. 1854.
Nebraska and K0nsas-Resources and
Prospects.
Having just returned to this place from an
extended tour through large portion Of the
territories Of Nebraska and Kansas have col
lected large mass of facts in reference to the
soil, climate aud agricultural qualities Of the
country, as well as some speculations in rcla-