Eastern times., 1855-12-27
Things in Kansas.


of the flood Of absurd reports, to give fair
view of the state of things in Kansas and re-
marked that the probability was, the Missouri
ans, brought over the border BY false rumors,
were returning home. This turns out to be
the case. Other facts are coming out. We
have stated already significant one, namely,
that measures are in progress to try the muir
derer of Dow. This is as it should be. Let
the law, by all means, have its course and
deal Justice on the guilty. This. with other
facts, indicate that, to the grief and disappoint-
nent Of the abolition tribe, it is probable there
Will be no war in Kansas.
But we continue to ask good citizens to con-
slider the full import of the position taken BY
some In Kansas, and by freesoil agitators and
their alders here, = e., that the Kansas legis-
lature is an Illegal body; that obedience is not
due 10 its acts or submission due to officers
appointed under its authority Nor is this
view mere theory. The sheriff sent 10 Law
renee 10 make arrests was such an officer
The Kansas freesoil dgitaiors declare for open
resistance TO this officer. We do not aIlege
this yet Of the people Of Lawrence or Of Kan
sas but we do charge that such is the po.icv
urged in the flood of rascally abolition letters
that have appeared in such traiorous prints as
the New York Tribune. This, as we under
etand it, is the kernel view Of this matter. II
is this purpose of resistance TO eriSting dHhori-
ty that we desire to be considered. This is
the position we deem an illustration of the
higher law doctrine; which is so full of i'm
port that it strikes at all law which is an
archical, and therefore deserving of the sever
est censure. ~
This is the position which is boldly justified
by such abolition presses as the N. Y. TTi-
bune, and even by the Boston Daily Adver-
tiser Let US look briefly at what they Iusti-
| fly and what they would have Gov Shannon
do. Now nobody has doubted the power of
Gov. Reeder to convene legislature; or al
legged that in calling it at Pawnee City, he ex-
ceeded his authority. This is allowed to be
right. He granted certificates to the mem
bers. They then became representative as
sembly for the term for which they were elect
ed, with all the rights and privileges of such
body. Gov. Reeder sent messages to it /; in
vited Legislation by it but vetoed an act ad-
journing it to Shawnee Mission. They passed
the act nearly unanimously over the Veto
/ Their right to do this was questioned by him.
Then the legislature called by resolution on
each of the judges of the supreme court of the
territory for his opinion, who each gave an
elaborate opinion declarative of the right OF
the legislature to adjourn to Shawnee. Such
was the position Of things when Gov. Shan
non arrived in Kansas.
| His few remarks on his welcome were char
acteszed by SO much good sense, and SO well
fitted for existing circumstances, that they
were highly commended even by such journals
as the National InteIligencer. He announced
his intention Of causing the laws Of the land to
be respected. This officer, like every other
executive, cannot proceed a step tUithoW The
sanction of ld,V. Now what the freesoilers
law and take upon himself the responsibility
of dissolving, or of subverting, this legisla-
ture of paying no regard to it of treating
| the judges as though there were no Judges
and declaring it an Illegal body, to convene a
new Legislature at Pawnee These freesoiE-
ers asked him in a word TO be despotI The
bare statement of this position would seem to
be enough 10 condemn it. Surely it is not too
much to ask those citizens who mean to be
true to the foundation principles of our sys-
TEN, to pause and ask what they will do if
they sustain this position.
1t does not meet the case TO allege that
portion of this Legislature was illegally elect
ed. We have denounced repeatedly the foray
OF the Missourians They had no business
with the elections of Kansas but the illegal
election Of portion of the members cannot
make the whole illegal. How came Reeder
TO acknowledge the Legislature if it was ille-
gal This body, according to his action, was
legal body until it voted to adjourn to Shaw
nee; and this IS the precise time when it is al
legged the legislature became illegal In view.
of all the facts Of this adjournment-of the
land speculations in Pawnee-of the Judges
opinions not this a very weak ground on
which to Justify resistance to established au-
ahority, civil war, the shedding of blood, that
worst of states, anarchy' Is it any justifca-
ton at all!
But we have not yet reliable facts as TO
Kansas. The sky Is becoming clear. When
the flood of the most absurd rumors has sub
sided when we have clear relations Of the
purposes of the people when we get correct
relations of official action then a correct
judgment can he formed as to Kansas mat
tiers. The abolition TRADES on this subject
are anarchioal at they are disgraceful.
1t is astonishing TO see how the opponents of
the Nebraska bill persist in basely misrepre-
senting the position otits friends. 1t is false
10 say that we are in favor Of the extension Of
slavery into the territories of Kansas and Ne
braska it is a calunny to charge Us with de-
tending outrages by missionaries il is wan
tonly base to accuse US of iustifying murder.
Those who make such accusations and con-
tinually utter such misrepresentation. knolo
they are false and calumnious Those who
violate the laws deserve punishment, let them
hail from Missouri or from Massachusetts.
The right asserted for the people Of Kansas is,
that in moulding the forms of their constitlp-
tion-in framing an organic law under which
they shall liye-they shall have the same
rights that exist in other states. This right
is claimed for the actual settlers in Kansas,
not for the people OF Missouri, or of New Eng
land.-BOSton PoS.