The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-12-20
THE WAR IN KANSAS.


were crowding into the Territory, and regular
ly organizing for the determination of the Free
State men. In this unnatural and brutal work,
Governor Shannon, the agent Of the Admins
tration, takes the lead, placing himself at the
head of the armed hordes from Missouri. 1.-THE
Administration continue to tolerate this state
OF things, to give countenance to this devlish
war against the people of Kansas, it must not
| expect to escape retribution. Its guilt will be
blacker than that of its truculent agents in
Kansas. 1t has now the power to prevent the
bloody strife, and give peace to the prescribed
Territory. We give the latest accounts:
From the Kickapoo City (Nro.) Pioneer of Nov 81
Preparations Of tie Pro &aoery Mcn-TAc
Call Of GOcernOr Shannon Responded to.-The
demand of the Governor for the assistance of
all good citizens to uphold the laws of this Ter
ritory obliges us, much as we regret it, to post
pone the issuing of our paper for one week. IS
both editors march with the Kckapoo Brigade
to the scene of action. 1t being but thirty. five
miles to Lecompton, and forty to Lawrence, we
shall be able to give our readers all news of i'm
portance Immediately after it transpres, in ex-
tras.
The whole country is aroused Immense
bodies of men are arming themselves, and pre-
pared to march to the assistance of the sheriff
of Douglas county By next Monday, the whole
draft of Governor Shannon $4,000 men) will be
in the field.
Deputy Sheriff S. w. Tunnel carried the
news to Atchison, and, having Just returned,
states company was formed Immediately.
The news is spreading like wildfre, and the
Pro-Slavery sovereign squatters are buckling
on their armor. The Rangers will march from
here on Saturday, December LIST, under COM
mand of Colonel A. B. Hazard and Brigade
Major M. p. Berry.
1ncendiarism is abroad in the land. An eff
fort was made by one or more black hearted
Aboitionists last night to destroy Mr.. b. ID.
Hamilton and his family, residents at Salt Creek,
by fire. Mr. Hamilton is an undoubted Pro.
Slavery man, and this is the only cause that
can be assigned for setting fire to his premises
few days will finish Abolitionism in Kan
sas, and the perpetuity of the Union be saved
by the firm action of Southerners.
From the Jefferson Mo- Inquirer of DecrmberG
The NeWs from Kdnsds.--Our dispatches
from Weston and Independence are of serious
character, and have gone far enough to demand
the interference of the proper authorities Our
citizens in the border counties, in our opinion
are altogether premature in their movements
1T Gov. Shannon cannot enforce the laws of the
Territory, let him call ont the militia; and if
they are inadequate, the President should order
the soldiers at Leavenworth to his aid. Many
of the laws of the late Kansas Territorial Legis-
lature are Objectionable, and some of them, as
we believe, in direct conflict with the Constitu-
ton; yet the better plan for the citizens of Kan
sas to have pursued would have been to have
sought redress through the ballot-box; repealed
or amended the laws through their Representa-
tives elected to the next Territorial Legislature
Up to the present time, we had not anticipated
anything serious would grow out of the Difficult
ties in Kansas, but we must confess that our
opinions have changed. There is one thing,
however, very certain. Our opinions have not
changed in regard to the Kansas Nebraska bill,
for we still regard it as one of the most unwise
and inJudicious measures that could possibly
have been concocted. And as an evidence of
the contradictory provisions of the bill, we now
have men mp in arms against each other. and
both claiming protection and right under it.
FREE STATE MEN ON TIE DEFENSIVE-rIIEIR
MILITARY ORGANIZATION AND OFFICES
Correspondence ofthe Evening Post.
LAWRENCE, X. T., Dec. 3, 1855.
Since my last, announcing the opening of the
war, circumstances have gradually arranged
them so that collision seems inevitable. The
Free State men have gathered in from the coun-
try to the number of about five hundred, and are
still coming. Our force is under constant drill
and tonight we throw up entertainments, to
protect our rifemen from the artillery Of the
enemy, for such they assume to be. 1t is now
one week since preparations on both sides com
menced, and they are still going on with a
vigOr and thoroughness that show they mean no
boys play. All the principal men in the Ter
ritory are here, to try and effect reconciliation,
but upon the terms proposed by the other side,
that can never be done.
They demand to hold the town responsible
for the acts Of few individuals, and also for
their delivery up to officers. These persons
have not been seen here for more than four
days. and no one seems to know where they are
They also say they will demand of Lawrence
a pledge that they will allow no more infrac-
tons of the hated law, and that they give up
their Sharp's rifles. This being their ultimatum,
of course we fight, and the fighting spirit is
fully up. The great difficulty is to restrain our
men from making sally upon the camp on
Wakarusa. Thus far the committee of direc-
ton, to whom L before alluded, have been able
to conduct the thing so that our record shows
not blot.
The Governor has issued proclamation,
which is q base lie from beginning to end, and,
in obedience to it, Gen. Richardson, of the Ter
ritorial militia, is on his way here with Doni-
phan's Mexican battery, manned also by men
from Missouri.
Secretary Woodson has written to Mr.. Eastin,
a prominent Pro-Slavery man in Leavenworth,
that Governor Shannon needs "our friends in
Platte county," (meaning the SelfDefensive
Association,) and that he must get them with
out duplicating the Governor.
Let our friends believe no stories Of outrages
committed we are not the party here that
engage in that sort Of thing. Houses have
been burned, but under such circumstances
that fastem it upon the persons who owned
them. DR.. Robinson is Communicating chief,
and Hon. ]. II. Lane, of Mexican war celebri-
ty, is our Colonel. To morrow is the threatened
attack, and many are removing their families.
l..
From the Lexington MOI Citizen OF December =
A letter from COL Reid of this city. dated
Sunday night o'clock, received by last nights
mail, after we had gone to press, SAYS that they
have in their camp at Franklin one brass six
FOUNDER. We shall tomorrow be reinforced
by 800 men, with three cannon. Gen. Rich
ardson is Commander-in-chief of the forces He |
was of opinion that light would take place on |
tuesday or this day. He is fearful, when the |
volunteers get into Lawrence, they will not be
restrained.
IYDEPEYDENcE, December 3.
To Gen. Shields, Lexington: have just re-
turned from near Lawrence, where | have been
to obtain information regarding the difficulty in
Kansas. The Sheriff's force is three hundred
and fifty, all told. He is supplied with arms.
The Abohtionsts number eight hundred or q |
thousand men, armed. Send wagon with |