Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-12-28
Written for the Eastern Times
Incidents of Travel.

FRIEND NEWMAN After travelling two
thousand miles towards the setting sun, take
this occasion TO give you my impressions of
western travel and western life. We left Bos-
ton in cold rain storm on the 18th of Novem-
Der, and by the time we had reached Albany,
our company of Kansas emgrants amounted
to about one hundred We had very pleas
ant trip, having lost sight of snow and cold
weather in New York. We had some anus
ing incidents on the journey from St. Louis,
up, which will serve to show in some meas
ure, the character Of the emigrants. You are
doubtless aware that this party went out I'M
der the patronage Of the Emigrant Aid Com
pany. This is a Boston Company, whose os-
tensible object is to aid in peopling Kansas
territory from the free States, with the view
of making that territory free State. The
agents Of this Company attend the various par
ties on their journey to prevent injustice, and
cheaper the expense Of travel. They have
employed for this purpose, some of the most
rabd of New England aboltionists, who seem
to think it is part Of their duty TO take charge
of the political principles of the emgrants,
and if possible, 10 mould them in abolition
fanaticism. Great pains were taken during
the journey to prejudice all against Southern
ers, and particularly against the citizens of
Missouri. Another of their schemes is to in
duce emigrants from the East to settle togeth-
er, with the hope Of thus being able more
readily to control their political action. This
last scheme was proposed to the company in
which we were travelling. 1t met with quite
general appreciation, and it was determined 10
send out committee to explore the country
on the Blue River, with the purpose of locat-
ing there; and time was appointed for the
election Of the committee The anti-abolition
element of the party soon began 10 find out
their strength, and when the election took
place, four national democrats and one old
fashioned Fillmore wing were found 10 have
been elected. Such long faces-such sancti-
monious CALCULATIONS we have not heard since
the election of Governor by the Senate of
Maine last February. The majority of the
company were denounced as infidels, as pro-
slavery men, as northern dough-faces and
indeed they were assaled with all the low
billingsgate of this class of politicians. The
scheme of settling together was from thence
forth abandoned The abolition element will
settle about Lawrence, and the rest of the
company will mix up with their fellow citi-
zens from different States, and make for them
selves pleasant and happy homes in the valley
of the Kansas, where they can enjoy their po-
litical and religious opinions, freed from the
arbitrary tyranny Of clerical and political die
tation. The city of Lawrence, like Boston,
will be the seat Of fanaticism, bigotry and ar
stocracy. But the soil of this region is lily
adapted TO the growth Of these moral tories and
we doubt if they make great progress at pres
ent. But one thing is certain, if Kansas
should ever be made a slave State, it will be
done by the iI-limed opposition of Northern
fanatics; their eXclusiveness and impractical
bility for all useful political action, may drive
over to the pro-slavery party men who other
wise would be found the firm friends of free
dom. The recent election of delegates to
Congress, shows in slight degree what such
course will do. The pro-sIavery party
were united upon their man and elected him,
while it was found impossible to unite the OPP
posite. They may learn wisdom from expe-
rience, but that is doubtful. Men who from
their extreme notions have always been found
impractcable, are not very likely to improve.
We have not yet made our exploration of the
territory, and as yet cannot tell from actual
observation much of its capacities and pros
poets. We propose this week to commence a
tour which may occupy US some five or six
weeks, after which you may hear from me
again. Yours, &C., R.
Parkville, Mo-, Dec. Sd, 1854.