The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-07-19
KANSAS AFFAIRS.

The Kansas Tribune of June 9th has man
ly and forcible article on "the destiny of Kan
sas," IN which the editor expresses the confident
opinion that Slavery cannot obtain foothold in
that Territory. We are highly gratiGed to wit
ness the resolute spirit manifested, and the fat
terIng view of the question which is presented.
The editor remarks:
No mob can enter any of the settled por-
tons OF Kansas, and commit depredations, with
out stern and manly resistance. The day has
gone by for mobbing the people here. Depre.
dations may be committed without notice by
large parties upon a single Individuals in
the case of the cowardly assault upon Phillips
but no attack upon any considerable body will
be made, without the assaiants being shot in
! their tracks. The spirit of the people is arous-
ed, and they will no longer tamely submit to
outrage.
ave can see no possible way in which Sla-
very can be planted in Kansas. The present
| Legislature is no more the Legislature of Kan
sas than that which sits in Jefferson city, Mis-.
souri,, and it has no more right to establish Sla-
very here than the Autocrat of Russia, nor will
its tyrannical acts be any more likely to be obey
ed. Bands from Missouri invaded and overrun
our Territory, and trampled upon the rights OF
| the elective franchise, and made mockery OF
| the greatest boon of American Freemen-the
right of self:government."
In this connection we may allude to pr.
vate letter from prominent citizen of Kansas
which takes similar view of the question to
that above expressed. He thinks that the Free
Soil members should resign, since, by taking
their seats in the body which claims to be the
Legislature of the Territory, they will give a
tacit assent TO the usurpation. There seems to
be much force in this view of the question; and
since the Free-Soilers are in a lean minority
with no chance of preventing the mischief
which the majority may devise, we incline to
approve the idea.
The following paragraph from the Cquattey
Sovereign will illustrate the spirit of the Pro-
Slavery party in Kansas. 1t will show the
| strange confusion of ideas which prevails in
the brain of the brutal or besotted wretch who
proposes to celebrate the great anniversary of
Freedom, by hanging the enemies of Slavery.
ain the absence OF the customary facilities
| for n due commemoratiOn of the glorious 4th,
| a pleasant pastime, and n fit type of the day we
| celebrate would be the hanging of Abolition
| lists. he departed spirits OF our revolutionary
sires would greet with approval work like
this; for in their time, in this mundane sphere,
it was their wont to use the utmost rigor with all
traitors. Shall we, then, deviate from their ex-
ample, and permit treachery to thrive and grow
| strong in our midst? AT least, let us devote a
portion of that day to a calm consideration OF
| the expressions sought to be imposed upon us.
| 1t is vain for us to contemplate with emotions
of pleasure the memories of the morrow, while
we are ourselves subject to tyrannical and ar
bitrary rule. Let US, then, gather fresh vigor
| and zeal from the reflection Of the glorious
achievements of our patriotic ancestors, which
| ought to be brought wildly before us by the
remembrance of the events that have endeared
the fourth day of July to every American"