The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-12-21
The Present Aspect of Kansas Affairs.


another column.
The Present Aspect Of Kansas Affairs.
The last accounts that we have received from
Kansas Territory state positively that the good
sense Of the people has been sufficient to avert
the collision which was threatened between the
free State men $50 calledD and the law and
order, or pro-slavery party.
We have thought all along that the trouble
was pnrposely magni6ed by some of the East
ern papers, in order to affect Congress. The
original cause of the war was q quarrel about
a land claim, in which man of the name of
Coleman, from Pennsylvania, shot another of
the name Of Dow; some slight disturbance en-
sued, and person who had been arrested was
rescuel from the custody Of the Sheriff elect.
The rescuers resided in Lawrence, city held
by emigrants from the East, and they armed
themselves to resist the Sheria7s posse. The
official, becoming alarmed sent to Governor
Shannon for aid. The militia was then order
ed out to go into camp, near Lawrence, and
the Executive Of the Territory applied to the
President OF the United States Tor the aid of
the United States troops then stationed at
five weeks SINCE, and peace has been restored
without any collision between the high con-
tending parties
1t is not quite clear that there was any
cause for fight. Neither do we believe that
the leaders OF either party intended that q col
lision should result The free State men, in
famed by the Eastern press-who preached
a gre of II al Of f;obt
ing The battle Of freedom--held meetings,
passed resolutions and formed military or
ganizations all Of which they have perfect
right to do. The pro-slayery men, on the
contrary, obeyed he orders Of the Governor
and held themselves in readiness to enforce
The law. After the free State men had time to
cool, and began to see that they had really
nothing to fight for, they quietly gave up the
rescued prisoner and returned to their accus-
toned avocations. That seems to DC the whole
story.
Now, il might be well enough TO inquire
why 20 much fuss was made abont the
Kansas war, when it was only q border
row, after all. it was chiefly gotten up by the
correspondents Of the Seward papers, TO have
an effect on Washington, and place the South
ern members in q bad position. The Kansas
question was the principal issue before Con-
gress, and the Seward organs we're bound to
make the most OF it. The Tribune of yesterday
doubts the truth Of the last dispatches, and
seems indignant that the free State men should
have concluded to obey the laws, and attend
to their own affairs, instead of making capital
for Greeley and his friends in the East. The
correspondents Of the Tribune and Times having
been at considerable trouble in getting up
war in Kansas viii undoubtedly cndeavor to
put of peace to the last moment, ard they will
be seconded by their employers here We said
some days since that Seward, Greeley, Ray
mond & co. wanted to have fght in Kansas,
and that they would be sorely disappointed
il blood did not flow from this quarrel The
truth Of our assertion il proved by these agi-
tators, Who in the face OF the late despctches
certainly as reliable as their own, which con-
tradict each other-attempt still to make tae
public believe that civil war in Kansas is in
evitablc. Il is part Of their trade to do this;
but they are harmless when the public Is warn
ed Of their intentions.
~ tiN s5Ao" siAsst Viz ptlptc Va @.tsl5i5 l2afc
come TO their senses. We hope the news il
true. The question now is not slavery or
igeedou-it ia not whether a certain set of
statutes passed by certain Legislature shall
bc endorsed, but it is whether the common
law, which regulates civilized society--which
ID founded upon the immortal principles OF
equal rights and equal protection for all
whether this law shall be obeycd. Every one,
except the Seward leaders, will be glad to see
that the men OF Kansas have an swered this
question in the Affirmative.
Meanwhile, in spite Of al the disturbance
and We Nigh. soy partly il consequence of tt
Kansas progresses rapidly. Eighteen months
ago there was white population OF two or
three hundred scattered over the missionary
stations and forts. Now the white population
is estimated at thirty thousand Some authori-
ties put it much higher. The agitation Of The
slavery question has had the effect OF drawing
large numbers OF emigrants IRON The North
and South, while Nebraska is never mentioned,
and no Que seems to think OF going there. Agi-
tation promises TO do for Kansas what gold
has accomplished for California and O new
State win soon be added to the Union on our
Western border, the growth of which is quite
as wonderful as that Of the now III Dorado.
We think that these hardy pioneers arc per-
fectly capable Of settling all their affairs with
out outside interference from any quarter. If
they arc let alone, they will get along we'll
enough.
THE SrRuGHr Vines SrnL ALIVE AND
KckEc--A DIVERSION AGAINST CEonoE LAW.
From the proceedings o. Constitution Hall
on Wednesday night, it seems that the straight
whigsn are still alive, ana resolved to do "thcir
own voting and their own fighting = that they
intend to organize in behalf Of Millard Fill
more as the wing candidate for President of