The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1855-06-23
Opinions Of the Pfess.
The Missouri outrages.


The Missouri outrages.
1t is with no slight satisfaction that we
have observed in some papers in Missou-
ri and Kentucky, the language of strong
condemnation of the course pursued by
those persons who went over from Mis-
souri, into the Territory of Kansas, and
enacted fragrant outrages in connection
with the late elections there. The re-
marks which we made on former occa-
sion, expressing bitter regret anda strong
sense of disgust at these deeds of yio-
lence and wrong, have been copied into
papers in Missouri, as an expression of
public sentiment. The Louisville, KY,
Journal has also spoken with great ear
nestness on the subject. 1t is painful
that some papers in Virginia, and other
States, have given forth sentiments which
are calculated to encourage that spirit of
iawless violence which threatens the in
tegrity of our institutions, and Hooks to
the settlement of SO important a question
as the right of self-goyernment, by force
of arms. The Louisville Journal goes
so far as to suggest restoration of the
Missouri Compromise, with some modi-
fications to meet the existing state of
things. 1t proposes. that the compro-
mise line should be restored and extend
ed through to the Pacific, excluding
Kansas however from its application, the
public faith having been already pledged
in regard to that Territory, and thou
sands having emigrated there in reliance
upon the principle involved in the Ne
braska bill, that the people of that Terri
tory should have the exclusive right to
determine whether slavery shall exist
there or not. The Washington Union
speaks in very respondent tone, in ref
erence to the violentmeasures introduced
into the elections of Kansas, and consid-
ers the subject as involving the integrity
of the national confederacy.
All these expressions of opinion we
gather for the purpose of calling to view
the great seriousness of the question
which is now fairly in the hands of the
general government. Unless the Gov
ernor of the Territory of Kansas is sus-
tanned by the whole strength of the Ma
tional Government, we apprehend that
the most deplorable results will follow.
This is not question with two sides,
whatever may be the diversity of senti-
ment, North or South, with reference to
the repeal of the Missouri Compromise,
or the Fugitive Slave Law, oron the sub
ject of slavery itself. 1t is impossible for
fair men, North or South, to contemplate
the measures of violence and outrage by
which the expression of sentiment in
Kansas was defeated at the last election,
with any other feelings than those of in
dignant condemnation. This'is the time
and here is the ground for the rallying
of all conservative men of every party,
and shade of sentiment, in reference to
great national conflicting interests, for
the purpose of now protecting the most
sacred rights of American citizens, and
maintaining the supremacy of national
law. Those who are now the ioudest
and fiercest in justifying the measures by
which the settlers in Kansas were pro-
hibited from choosing their own men,
are the parties who have hitherto been
the most clamoFous for the right of the
people to decide for themselves in refer
enee to the nature of their State institu-
tons. They are not only at war with
the rights of the people of Kansas, but
they are fighting against themselves
They are destroying the democratic fea-
ture of our institutions, and affording a
plausible pretext for the interference OF
one State in the internal affairs of anoth-
er. If, as has often been commended, il
is wrong for citizens of one State to at
tempt to control or change the character
istie institutions of another, still more
outrageous is it for the citizens of Mis-
souri, to leave their own homes, with
arms in their hands, and with every
demonstration of force, actually to con-
troll the elections of a neighboring Terri.
tory, in which they have not eyena tenn
lporary residence. We have strong hopes
that the conservative clement in the pres
ent administration will prove sufficient
for this emergency, and that Governor
Reeder and the citizens of Kansas will be
abundantly sustained in the full enjoy
ment of their rights, and the people be
allowed to establish on their own sol
such institutions as they shall prefer, and
that all future attempts on the part of the
people of Missouri, or any other State, te
/ control their internal affairs will be re-
buked and defeated.-N T. Observer.