The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-09-28
IHE CASE OF THE PEOPLE OF
KANSAS.

At the settlement OF Lawrence, IN han-
sas situated about forty miles west Of the
Missouri boundary, thcrO were, at the timo
oftho late election, about three hundred
and City residents, who were legal voters
The day before the election seven hundred
men, from Missouri, armed with rifles and
pistols, and bringing with them 6cld.piece,
marched into the place under the command
OF a fellow calling himself Colonel Young
In tho course Of the day Young met one Of
the three judges Of elections, q Missourian,
q free-state man, but Of timid temper, and
told him that ho had como over, with his
men, to vote in tho election, and that If he
offered to prevent them ho would have him
hanged in an hour. The menance had such
an effect that the man resigned his place as
Judge Of the elections. At IN early hour,
Young with his men, surrounded tho polls,
and when they were opened demanded to
vote. Young presented himself and took
the oath,that ho was bone fde resident Of
the territory. lie was then examined by
Mr. Abbott, one Of the judges Of elections.
"Do you intend to remain in the terri
tory 7" asked Mr.. Abbot.
"That is mono Of your business. / swear
tha, am bone adc resident Of tho terri
tory, and that is enough to entitlo me to
my vote. Ifauybody insinuates that | per.
juro myself will tear his head or"
~ cannot consent to your voting" said
Mr.. Abbott unless you swear my ques.
tions satisfactorily. Your swearing that
you are entitled to vote does not make you
so. Imust DO satisfied that you are res.
idcnt, or my oath compels me to reject your
vote"
Young persisted in claiming his vote,
without answering further; tho two associa-
tes Of Mr. Abbot, were intimidated, and al.
lowed it. Mr.. Abbot, finding that he
would have no support from them, resigned
his place, and oil Of Col. Young's regiment
Of Missourians. were permitted, one after
another, to deposit their votes, clccting a
pro-slavery member to the Legislature
The affair was properly represented to Gov.
Reeder, who declared the election illegal,
refused certificate, and ordered new
choice. This time, FREQ State member
was elected, without opposition. IIo obtain.
cd his certificate Of election, and prcsen-
ted il at tho assembling Of the Legislature.
but they rejected It declaring his place va.
cant, and filed It themselves by electing
one Of their confederates.
This is the manner in which tho assembly
recognized by Gov. Shannon as the gen.
uine Legislature Of Kansas, was constituted
In tho other settlements, tho same means
were used as at Lawrence, the judges oi
election were overawed, or else driven from
their posts by the threat Of murder.
But the real state Of tho case was repre-
scnted to Governor Recder only in few
instances. Throughout the territory, five
sevenths Of the residents at least, are deci- |
dedly against the introduction Of slavery,
and would have elected legislature Of that
way Of thinking II they had been permitted
to vote.
We have thought proper to recur 10 these
that they may serve as a
sort Of commentary on Governor Shannon's
speech to his friends at wes,port, Of which
We publish report to day. The means by
which these men procured their return TO
the legislature are as proaisatc and brutal
as the bloody decrces which Governor Shan
non tells the people Of westport he goes
out to enforce. We hear from tho territo-
ry that the people Of Kansas are determin-
ed not to submit TO them, and that they will
give him an opportunity Of satisfying him.
self whether ho has the power offnlaling his
threat Is there any man in the northeu
States who does not sympathiso with them
in this manly resolution Istherc any man,
worthy to live under free government him.
sell, who would refuse his contribution to
the means by which these gallnat men may
be enabled to defend their liberties ssains,
course ofviolence and usurpation which
hardly deigus TO cover itself with the thinest
mask Of legality! y
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