Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1855-12-14

comment on ls tins The first news Of the
affair that reached Jefferson City, where the
Missouri Legislature is in session, was by
despatch from Mr.. Boone, n citizen of Jack
son County, Missouri, to Mr.. Mccarthy,
member OF the Missouri Legislature. That
despatch contained this sentence
" We want help. Communicate this to
the friends
Now, in the devils name, who is it that
wants helpl' And what do they want
that " help for Do the citizens Of Ms
souri want " helpl" Who or what is put
ting the citizens of Missouri in peril 50
great that the legislators and 4" the friends
Mt Jefferson must - helrt''
Is it not the Government of Kansas that
wants help II SO, let them call on Prcsi-
dent Pierce for assistance. Kansas is under
the care Of the Federal Government Mis-
souri, has no duty to perform in the premises
IL the National Government cannot take care
OF its own pets and appointees, its Reedcrs
and Wilson Shannons, why let Pierce resign
and new Government come in The people
OF Missouri are not the ones to be called on
to back up the miserable political puppets
that Franklin Pierce shall send out from the
Eastern States to play the fool and introduce
bloodshcd and anarchy in Kansas. If the
poor imbecile of the White House had pos
scssed the good sense or the Justice to put
over Kansas, at the beginning. a Wostcrn
man OF high character, courage and expc-
rience, there never would have been paticle
of trouble in forming the community there
into "A quiet ard thrifty State. But. instead
of that, we had Recder and his Free SOili>in,
then Shannon and his ro-Slavoryism-all
wrctchcd, time-servng, place seeking dema
gogucs, who have played out their reckless
games for political ACKNOWLEDGEMENT and
drawn upon poor Kansas the curse of law
lcssness and blood
Now, let Pierce reap the fruits Of his imbe-
cllity. Let not the people of Missouri, by
any urgent appeal or cunning device he
drawn into the internal feuds of Kansas. 1t
looks very much as if there wero precon-
certed effort to do this very thing. Our des-
patches from the West say that parties have
already proceeded from Independence into
Kansas, and that ''mcctngs have been held
at W ,ston and St Joseph, and companies
formed to 90 to Kansas.
There it is Now, is not this conduct
most fatal to Missouri interests and honor ;
In heavens name, let Pierce and his political
pcts-his Kansas onicials-take care Of
themselves. Have we not been told, time
and again, that the Pro-Slavcry party were
the people of Klnsts--that iour-ffthS OF the
actual settlers of Kansas were supporters OF
the Territorial Legislature, and that the
Free-Soilcrs We're an insignificant squad out
about Lawrence, who were devoid of cour-
age. and fit only to be laughed at
And now, lorsolth, the United States Off
cials in Kansas, and the all-prcyaiin. Pro-
Slavery people of Kansas are in deadly peril
and 4" dispatches from Weston and st. Joseph
state that large meetings of the citizens have
been held and companies formed to 60 to
Kansas Al to protect that country from
the "plupcrs and hirelings' lately shipped,
to Kansas, like 50 many cattle. we were in
formed, ut me expense Of Immigrant AId So
cietics.
1t does seem to Us that one of the devil :
own choice hnmbugs is exploding in this call
ON Missouri for" help
IA to the probability of war in Kansas,
in consequence Of such doings, the lntclli-
genccr says in later issue
There is something ludicrous in reading
now the Western dispatches and seeing how
the reckless foray that was threatened Kan
sas persisted, partly by innate weakness, and
partly by beng brought up against the rock
of common sense--an abundant article in Cv-
cry Anglo-Saxon community
There are significant facts that give assur-
ance that there will be no " war " in Kansas.
Let us note them.
First, The extreme excitement is in Mis-
sOuri-nOt in kansas-the truth being as We
have said, that it is no new position in Kan
sas for the Territorial Sherifs to he repudi-
ated
Second, The Free State men are willing to
be governed by the nited States officers,
and to submit to them.
Third, The militia Of Kansas did not " re-
uh OIL b,,
This is a remarkable fact. The question is,
Why Did they sympathize with the Free
State men II 50, then all Kansas is against
those territorial laws-conclusive proof that
the people of kansat did not make and do not
approve them.
Fourth, The Missourians that were precip-
itatcd thoughtlcs-ly into volunteering to
march into Kansas, only hold themselves in
" readiness to move" After they think
little, they will conclude it is their duty to
4" move home.
Fifth, Gov. Shannon has only two hun
dred and fifty to three hundred men - to back
him, drawn from all sources. lie is wisely
waiting for II " greater force before march
ing against " intrcnchDcutS, and - eleven
hundred Sharpe : rifles, " and A" five pieces of
artillery all directed hy reputable and
skiltul military leader, at the head of " eleven
hundred men GOV. Shannon don't mean
to get hurt il he can help 1t. That is oby-
Gus.
Sixth, But, most generous and gracious
fact-most cheering and pleasing of ala
" meeting is being held - 10 - terminate the
matter peaceably If possible OF course it
is possible
seventh, - unlcss the United States troops
are furnished, the laws cannot he executed
init B l,..t 4. /
the MissOurians desire to be - counted ont "
of the fight to suhugate ' the people of
Kansas.
Eighth, Nothing will he done till the Uni
ted States Government defines its position.
Pierce will have Il regard for peace, we dare
say. and So will end the Kansas evil war
The various exciting Geographic despatch
cs now alloat are calculated to confuse the
public mind and we have thus taken the
trouble to unravel the Kansas imbroglio We
think we have done it, and that the country
can safely 60 about its business, undiSturhrd
by visions of torch and tprtur. in kausls
We are cool and quiet in Missouri. As
the Winter draws on. it will be very cool Ia
kansas
The Washington Union Of the 9th, contains
the dispatches which passed between GOV
Shannon aud the President Shanuons dis
patch says
! desire You to call ON the United STATE,
forces at Leavenwurtn, t. preserve the peace
OF the Territory, ana to protect the Sheriff Of
Douglas County, aud enable him to execute
the legal process in his hands II the laws
are not executed, civil war Is inevitable. An
armed force, one Thousand strong, with all
the implements OF war, it Is said, are at Law
hs,r, 4 "a. 81,
Sheriff, burned houses, and threatened the
lives of citizens, Immediate assistance i,
desired, AS this is the only way to save blood
shed ; particulars by mail
The President replies as follows
An the power vested in the Executive will
be eNcrtcd 10 preserve order and enforce the
laws, GA receipt of your letter, the rreiim
mary measures necessary to he taken before
calling out the troops, will be- promptly exc
ruted, and You will then b. fully advised.