Kansas weekly herald., 1854-09-22
KANSAS WEEKLY HERALD.
SeJtIemsessts era Nxxs,slxs.

| Settlements ere Kansas.
Our youfg Territory is filing up with
lrapidity unparalleled except in the case of
California. Every boat that comes up the
Missouri brings fresh throng of adventu-
rous pioneers, eager to plant their, desti-
MES on the soil of Kansas. VAT the ferries
on the Missouri great numbers are cross
ing every day with their wagons and teams,
cattle and hogs, "household and kitchen
furniture and other articlestoo numerous to
mention" Men, women and children, old
and young, rich and poor, strong men with
the hard hand Of honorable industry and
men on whom the sun has never set his
mark, all thronging with eager haste into
this promised land, this Canaan of their
hopes and dreams. They come on foot, on
horse hack, in carriages, and in carts, s'with
all the appliances and means to boot" OF
making claims. Yes, making claims, Sc
lecting spots where they are willing totake
their chance for happiness in life, and where
they hope their bones may rest in the quiet
OF the grave. Is it strange that men are
eager in such pursuit, that they iostle
each other some times !! Is it wonderful
that in such stir that well-defned attri-
butte Of our nature-a disposition to take
care of number one-should manifest itself?
Yet it is rare that one squatter interferes
with the Uesfed rights Of another. We are,
it is true, living without law, in state oil
nature, and yet, we apprehend, there are
few societies of the same number In any
| country where the aid of the civil magis-
| trate is less needed. Claims, when left
without an incumbent and without any ey-
idence of a bona .fde intention of occupan-
cy are sometimes Jumped" !" Squatters 'are
law unto themselves" in such matters,
and when a wrong is done by one to another,
society, which is bound together by COM
mon interest, takes upon itselfthe redress of
that wrong. No one is condemned without
hearing, no right is divested without ad-
judication, and that by jury ofthe country
The law agreed upon by the society for the
L
security of their rights, is no more mob
law, the offspring of excitement, but a few
simple rules, having their foundation in the
eternal principles of right between man
and man, and adapted to the enlightened
age in which we live. The best legisla-
ton cannot secure its end more efectually,
than does the simple code adopted by the
settlers of Kansas.
There was time when the name of f"squat.
tier" was as term of reproach, when the
settlers on the public lands were denounced
In Congress as thieves and robbers. That
time has passed and the ablest statesmen o
our country stand forth as champions of the
lexpedieney of squatter law, and of the JUS
tice of squatter sovereignty. Squattershave
from the earliest settlement of oru country
led the van of civilization In its westward
course. Under their guidance, empire
crossed the Alleghanies and has spread it.
4 self out over the.broad valley of the Missis.
sippi. They hare hewed away the forests
and carried tilth and beauty and abun'
dance everywhere. Railroads, Canals and
steam navigation have followed their tracks
in eager pursuit The crowning glory o.
the sqatter's mission is yet to be achieved
1t is for the present generation, the strong
armed and stout-hearted men that are now
thronging into Kansas and Nebraska tc
link together the shores OF the Atlantic ant
Pacific in close and enduring union
They will prepare the way for the Iror
i Horse to climb the Rocky mountains and the
Sierra Nevada. IF such be the mission O
4 the Squatters of Kansas (and judging oI
the present by the past, we have a right te
think it no less,) they are entitled to the
j fostering aid of our government, and the
encouragement and gratitude of the Amer.
lean people.