The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-10-04
AFFAIRS IN KANSAS-THE PRO-SLAVERY
PARTY IN CIRCULATION.
LEAvENwoRTH CRY, X. T.

LEANENWORTH CITY, n. Il.
September 20, 1850
To the Editor ofMe National Era:
The battle of Freedom here wakes warm.
| The Kansas-Missouri Legislature was such an
| aggregation Of weakness and folly. that the
| Pro-Slavery party is actually crushed beneath
the load. Its laws and its policy are held in
| general contempt. None are so poor as to do
them reverence. The Legislature, in its eager
ness to secure health and strength to its party,
| has employed such violent remedies as to XIII
Its patient outright. The oppressive and ty-
rannical election law, with its odious tests, il
was supposed would be effectual in excluding
from the polls the great body of Free State
men. In this way, the importation of foreign
votes was to be unnecessary. But the Free
State Convention, by repudiating the Legsla
ture and appointing another day for election.
took the wind completely out of their sails; and
the party, knowing the political character of
the next House Of Representatives, is ALREADY
mourning over It's expected defeat Having
made the work otherwise sure, the Legislature
actually passed laws which will render the i'm
portation of foreign votes more difficult than
before; and, still farther, poll tax of one dol
lar is to be paid by each voter 1t is apparent
that such an odious tax on the privilege of vo-
ting will deter many Pro-Slavery men from
coming to the polls.
am informed that fund has been raised
in Platte county to pay this dollar in one or
more precincts but do not believe that suf-
cient money will be raised to pay the tax for
all the Pro-Slavery men-hence, / apprehend
| the Pro-Slavery vote will be small. | am IN
formed that arrangements are being made for
introducing three hundred Missouri voters into
this county, to vote in the Delaware precinct.
A oh ;ty ic /
believe that such shortsighted and disastrous
policy will be pursued again. 1t will certainly
kill the party, if it had any life left after its
previous suicide.
You are aware that an attempt has been
made by Douglas men to organize n National
Democratic party in this Territory. The effort
entirely failed Slavery or no Slavery was the
only issue practicable here Mr. Delahav. the
leader of this party, and the editor of its organ,
has just returned from a visit to Illinois; and
much to the surprise of MANY, he and his
friends have suddenly united with our forces Of
the Free State movement. So have others.
who are believed to act under the influence Of
Senator Douglas.
A Convention has been called by the Free
State men, to meet at Topeka, which is now in
session, to take preliminary steps on the sub
ject of State organization, ard the admission
Nebraska men were appointed delegates to this
Convention, and, with the zeal of new converts,
they travelled most Of the night to reach the
Convention in season.
1t is openly maintained that it is the wish Oh
Douglas and other Democratic leaders that the
vexed question of Kansas should be settled be
fore the next Presidential election. Col Lane,
now citizen of this Territory, who killed him.
self in Indiana by voting in the last Congress
for the Kansas bill, has identified himself with
the Free State party here. He affrms that
Douglas would make any sacrifice to secure the
immediate admission of Kansas 70 the Mon
as free State and, in his opinion it would
result in the election Of the Senator Of Illinois
to the Presidency. 1t is manifest that the ques.
ton of Kansas can only be ultimately settled
in favor of Freedom. 1t is claimed that two
thirds, or even three-fourths, of the settlers are
in favor of free State. Democrats here hold
that the salvation Of the Democratic party re-
quires that this question be settled immediate
ly, and that this alone will secure the Demo
cratic party from defeat in the next Presiden-
tial election. With this question settled, IT IS
expected that the honors and spoils Of office
will continue in its hands; and the evidence
probably is, that these views originated with the
party leaders abroad.
The argument in favor Of State organize
ton, which will prevail among the people IS
that it is impossible for American freemen to
live under the present antirepublican and ty-
rannical Government of the Territory, and thai
the organization Of State affords the most
easy, legal and peaceful solution Of our dim
culties If Congress does not at once admit
the Territory as a State it is intended in some
way to get rid of the Territorial Government,
and go on under State organization, as Cal'
fornia did, till such time as Congress sees Mt to
receive us.
From present indications, in the early par'
of the next session of Congress you may look
for the appearance of Kansas with ConSttu-
ton, asking for admission to the Union as a
free State. The objection to her admission, Oh
the ground of irregularity Of proceeding, WI"
be met by the example of California; the %,
lection on the ground of a population too SmaI
for State, will be answered by reference u
Michigan and Florida. The men who will IS
sumo to lead in this movement are Kansas.Ne-
braska politicians and they will introduce
stringent blacksw principles into the organic
law, unless they are deferred by the fear thas
such provisions would cause Congress to relec'
the application for admission. | do not think
they will fear this.
This movement frightens the Pro-Slavery
party. prominent member Of it lately was
heard to remark that the party was beaten.
am also informed that General Whitfield, the
Pro.Slavery candidate for Congress, who IS
stumping the Territory, has suddenly neglect
ed his appointments, and gone in haste to 10