Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1855-12-08
CIVIL WARY KANSAS.

In another column wepublish the latest adj
vices from Kansas that have reached US. That
a state of civil war exists cannot bo question:
ed, but Of its more immediate occasion we
cannot so readily Jrdge rs the accounts are
conflicting. As yN all our information has
reached US through sources controlled by the
partizans Of Slavery, and the actors 10, and
the npologists fo,, the border rufians.
The proximaie causes of the existing con-
dition Of affair, in Kansas are traceable to
the present national administration. Frank
lin Pierce and his advisers are to he held re-
sponsible at the bar ofpublic opinion, and be-
fore the worll, for the bitterness engendered
and blood that has been split.
When Reeder was appointed Governor of
Kansas, it was believed that, as he was an
original supporter Of the swindle by which
the Missouri Compromise was repealed, anil
was reared in section Of the North where
subserviency to the South has been the dis
tinguishing trait Of its politicians, his sound
ness on the subject of Slavery was such that
he could be safely relied upon to so admins.
ter the government Of that territory. as TO suit
tho wishes of his chief and of the pro-slave-
ry party. But be disappointed all their hopes.
His oath Of office was regarded, and his back
bone was not sufficiently pliable to please the
miuions of slavery. A frivolous charge of
speculation was trumped up, upon which
charge and without any trial he was removed,
while other officials, equally obnoxious but
more satisfactory to the South were retained.
The President next appointed Wilson
Shannon Of Ohio, fncile instrument of those
opposed to Freedom. He had no sooner
reached the territory over which he was called
to preside than he took occasion to make a
speech peculiarly gratifying to his masters.
IL is reported on good authority that he dis
tinctly avowed his desire to see Kansas n
Slave State, but, Us he denied the truth OF
that report we will give him the benefit OF
that denial. His subsequent course has, how
ever, proved that such was the thought of his
heart If not the expression which fell from
his lips. lie has since presided over pro-
slavery meeting at Lenyenworth, at which he
with others made speeches, denouncing vio-
lently the proceedings of the Free State men
in holding convention, and lauding Whit
field and the territorial legislature elected
principally by the border ruhians from Mis-
souri,.
Chief Justice Lecompte, another Of the ap-
pointees of the national administration and if
possible, more ol,sequious satellite of Sav-
cry, has sgnalized his administration of in
justice by packing grand jury for the pur-
pose of finding an indictment against Free
State man for killing his rufiianly assailant in
self-defence. As n specimen of his official
character and of the court he holds, we refer
our readers TO an article elsewhere, entitled
'Latr and Order in Kansas.
The result of the present lamentable crisis
remains to be seen, but its indications are tru-
ly alarming. # lisa contest between Freedom
and Slavery, and one in which, sooner or la
ter, the former is bound to triumph. God
speed the day.