The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-03-10
A Letter About Kansas,

A Letter About Kansas.
WILL KANSAS BE A SLAVE 5TATE!-ITs CLIMATE AND
PRODUCTS CHARACTER OF THE KMIGRANT5-sEN
TIMENTs OF THE CONGRESSIONAL DALEG ATs, Rrc.
have received your letter of February nquring as
to the probability of slavery being introduced into
Kansas.
lean answer without any hesitation, speaking from
the observation of six months residence there, that
while it remains Territory, established there when
il becomes n State And will give you the facts and
The free and frank interchange Of opinions wh,h
characteristics Western men gave me fair opportunity,
by freely mingng with the settlers, q ascertainng
their sentiments the subject Of slavery And found
to my full satisfaction that large majority Of those
even from savehoding States opposed 20 the ad
mission of slavery into the Territory Like other pio-
neers they were men as a general thing, of moderate
MEANS and unable to slaves. They were also them
selves familiar with labor and white laborer the
natural opponent of slavery. II is needles to what
the views OF settlers from the free States, Of whom
there are already large number.
You hear it said that have slavery there aud,
strange it may appear, this erroneous assertion is
obstinately reiterated by those who, from ap
parancts should be the most reluctant In giving IL
DIT slavery does not exist In Kansas Several Of the
army officers at Fort Leavenworth hire slaves.
Iesdeats have seen southern.rs at the White Noun.
tans during the summer months, attended by slaves,
1t would have been ridiculous for ae to say that
slavery existed in this State during their temporary resi-
dence than 1t is to assert that the Institution ia 10
Kansas It might be added that the vote of the people
must sanction Il before it I'm exist there
Matters standing thus at the present tne the inquiry
arises what will be the position of this subject year
hence or more than all when the Territory asks ,or ad
slavery increase diminshf This must depend upon
two thing the nature of the soil and climate OF Kan
and the character of the emigration thithcr II 1t was
similar to Mississippi in its productions and climate,
l should suppose it would be slave State But its
climate products far different 1t has net the
burning sun Of the South SO white labor but
possesses mild and temperate climate under which the
Northern farmer can work win comfort r eyesy month
winter The products Of the territory which flourish
best not such considered peculiar to slave Ia
Dor, may be observed from the bountfu crops for
many years raised on the government farms thereof
which there two on the military reserve at Fort
IeayenwoIth The different Kinds Of grain and vegetl
bes which are most thrifty in the Northern Western
States Shelly If not entirely, cultivated on those
farms is said that tobacco can De cultivated there;
but If it is successfully cultivated in Connecticut by free
labor its cultivation in Kansas viii not require the hand
of slave It is apparent there ore, that IL slave labor
is Of peculiar profit there as the facts show no great
exertions will be made for its introduction even by
those residents who do not in any moral objection
But the question will be set at rest when consider
the description Of sc tt!ers who flock there.
The emigration from the South flows into Texas from
the Nerth, goes West from the West further West
States. SO it win be with regard Kansas which is
pref minently Western rather than Southern state.
was frequently assured by from different parts
OF nearly all the free States that farmers and others in
their vicnites in great numbers making prepara
ton to coms there during the ensuing spring and
mer: and have heard the fact from other We
could not expect to them there the first year. hardly
the second for it requires some time for the farmer 10
convert his real estate into money and remove with his
family beyond the Missouri.
Allow me word about the election of our Deesete to
Congress People have haste to coaclu is that be-
cause General Whitfield elected, majority OF the
setters must have been pIoslavery The fa:ts are
the 6eld-Gepsral whitfield aud Hon r. 7. Elem.
nik.u Tie latter was opposed to the admission
Of slavery, and reseivei part Of the att,
until about two weeks before the election and
unable visit all the settlements and make hims-u
known to the beope had he lived long the Terri
tory On the other hand Genrehl WHITFIELD who for
longer time had been resilient Of the Territory vi
entity, started candidate much earlier, visiting
he had become known for his prudencs, integrity and
energy He did not bring slavery up us as an issue Ia
the election, bot promised elected to attend faith
ly 10 the interests Of the Territory and he received
the votes CT many Who when the question Of sla
ofeedora Then is currently alleged that he received
. great number OF non resident votes. or my own
from the active part which portion Of the citizens of
Mssouiour ne0r neie hbors-were accustomed to take
in affairs, and sometimes passing resolutions
tuty opposite TO tbs sentiments OF the settlers can
have but little doubt tia they went far
as 20 vote at the election. At any rate, they de
cared openly their intention Of doing So iussfying
Themselves the ground of self defence that their
own protection, owners of slaves required 1t. Adj
hitting that they went it shows conclusvely THAT the
II was known BY pro.slavery men that ihefeAuse was
vote. The fact admits of no other explain alton, You
may BIO surprised that our authorities did not prevent
such proceetipgs But il must be remembered that
States, where law and police force better esab
lshed, and where the check list il used. Hereafter
think such scheme succeed.
/ might refer TO another fact though my letter Ia
already too long. Hundreds OF settlers from the East
lett the Territory previous to the election spend the
winter at home and arrange their business As to
turn with their families 10 the spring The election
the Goth OF November and they felt obliged TO leave
before lest the navigation Of the Missouri river should
Close Had these settlers been present. the ntsayery
vote would Of course have been much larger
The facts have stated for the most part within
m Al oh md Gems
the written statements of Others living in Kansas
In the published correspondence from that quarter
Ny means OF knowing the real sentiments OF the people,
equal to those of any did | carry
with me prejudces 10 deceive my Judgment citizen
Of the Territory almost from the day Of its ,uguration
and participant in Of the public Affairs the posi-
ton which early took against the introduction Of
slavery lat first unpopular .ts in the section Of
residence and which adhered to- gave chance TO
understand the state OF public opinion this subject
went there with the views of Northern man. regard
ing IL my duty, under the onJuon, not TO inter
feTe with slavery where IL exist and my right, well
. duty, TO oppose its extension.
In conclusion, sir can only repeat emphatcally what
in substance have already said aud what IL evident
from all the facts that slavery csnnot be iurodu ,ed
into the Territory Of Kansas and that II will become
free state. CHRISTOPHER C. ANDREWS.