Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-05-09

Kansas Affairs.

Kansas Affairs.
The recent reports from Kansas, however cor
flcting, are conclusive of one thing that the Ne
braska Kansas bill was very far from settling tn
sectional strife in regard 10 the latter Territory
The theory of throwing open the country TO EN-
grants from every quarter of the world, and lei
ting the slavery question settle itself, was yer
pretty bat some how or other it has not worke
well in practice. Indeed, there is cause 10 fea
that we are at the beginning of liercer sectiona
strife than has ever agiated the country, and
bchooves all conservative, Union loving citizen
TO see to it that the results are not disastrous.
The first news received from Kansas after tn
election, was most cheern! 10 the friends of Law
and order Everything. it was said, had bee
conducted with decorum, and in fair contest TIL
slavery party had triumphed. What appeared
very remarkable at first thought, it was ever al
lodged that many settlers from the North, wht
were sent out by free soil and abolition societies
had voted for the slavery candidates. but upon
moments consideration the statement did not seen
incredible. Opposition 10 slavery at the North i:
not so much principle, as The result of circum
starces and when the immigrants found them.
selves in country adapted to slave labor, as is
generally the case with them, they were speedily
converted into advocates of the institution. They
may have felt, moreover, little ashamed Of the
auspices under which they emigrated, and avail
ed themselves of the opportunity to assert their in
dependence.
On the other hand, the Northern papers have
teamed with accounts Of the outrages perpetrated
al the election. Kansas, they say, was invaded
by armed men from Missouri, who took posses
sion of the ballot boxes, and made up Legisa-
ture to suit the purposes of the pro-savery party
he Governor Of the Territory has lately return
ed to his home in Pennsylvania, for the purpose
of removing his family to Kansas, and in public
speech at Lancaster, according TO telegraphc
version he fully confirmed the accounts of VIC
lence published in the Northern papers. He is
reported as saying that, kansas was now con-
quered country-conquered by force of arms; but
the citizens were resolved never to yield their
rights, and be relied upon the North to aid them
By demonstrations of public sentiment and all 9th
er legal means, till they shall be fully and tri-
umphantly indicated" This version Of the
speech we confess strikes us as rather unreliable
we cannot believe that Gov. Reeder, or any man
o. ordinary discretion, would use such infiamma-
nrher tho cir
though the facts in regard to the Kansas election
were correctly reported The telegraph, howev-
er, has transmitted it abroad, and it is fast kind
ling flame of excitement in every part Of the
country. especially at the North The Legisla-
ture of Massachusetts, have already taken the
matter ia hand, and passed sundry patriotic reso-
lutions They pledge "the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, if necessary, to aid with its whole
power the Governor and people of Kansas in the
maintenance of constitutional rights" This
from State which has just signalized its regard
fur the constitution and laws by removing a
Judge from the Bench for executing an act Of
Congress, is eninently consistent and proper
All The facts in the case will doubtless be made
known before long, and in the mean while it is
best for the people, North and South, to keep
cool, and not lash themselves into fury. IF it
should turn out that no improper means were US
ed in the election the entire South will of course
be united in the determination to maintain their
rights ifotherwise, we hope and believe they
will with the same unaniTnity scorn to receive
any good however much desired. which has
been achieved by fraud and violence.
The St. Louis Inteligencer expresses the O.
pinion that the Peoples Proclamation" signed
"Citzens of Kansas" declaring Governor Rec.
der Incompetent, and appointing the 25th of A
pril for the election of successor, is at least
humbug, if not hoax. The document is dated
the 9th Of April, yet Kansas and Western Mis-
souri, papers as late as the l7th say nothing about
it. There can be no doubt. however, that the
people of Kansas are in high state Of excitement,
and that some of them have actually threatened
the life of the Governor.