The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-03-03
ADDRESS.
For the Herald Of Freedom.
Freedom or Slavery in Kansas.
By n. W. GOODRICH, ESQ.


We are now close upon the eve of an
election, which viii be the most import
ant event in the history of Kansas, wheth-
er as Territory or State an election
which viii tell most powerfully, for veal
or for woe, upon Kansas, for long, long
years. if not through all future time
THERE'S deep and weighty obligation
resting upon us to approach this ques-
tion with deliberate ealmness, and inves-
tigate and decide, with full sense of the
responsibilities under which we are act
ing. 1t is our duty to lay aside all
prejudice and passion-to strip the ques-
ton of all disguises, and look at it and
examine it as it really is.
And what is this question 1t is
nothing more nor less than to determine
whether the incubus of slavery, with all
its paralyzing influences, socially, NOR
ally, politically, commercially, shall be
fastened upon US, and the Territory be
Africanized-or whether we shall start
out, basing our future prospects upon free
labor, with all its genius, enterprise, and
energy. so much better adapted-as the
whole experience of our new States
proves most clearly-to improve and de-
velop the resources with which nature
has so bountifully blessed our Territory.
We should decide upon this question
without any reference to whatmay be the
preferences or wishes of any and every
class of men out of Kansas Territory
The institutions of Kansas should be so
framed as to meet the wants and wishes,
and promote the happiness and prosperity
of the people of Kansas Territory. Are
the people of Kansas Territory the vassals
of the people of any State or section of
the Union, that they should frame their
laws, and adopt Institutions to meet the
particular wishes of any class of people
out of the Territory? Its those who be-
come citizens of Kansas, who make it
their home, who are to decide upon her
position and course of policy; and they
must be strange men indeed, if they
would be governed by the wishes aud
interests of men out of the Territory, in
stead of acting for the welfare and inter
est Of the people of the Territory.
Our interests in Kansas are all the
same, no matter from what section
of the Union we come. whether from
the North or the South, the East or the
West; and the promotion of the general
good of the people Of che Territory should
receive our concentrated efforts. We
should lay aside all the cid questions
which have divided Us in the old States,
the local questions of difference between
the North and the South, between Wing
and Democrat, and all the divisions and
questions about which we may have
differed. A mans political anteeedents
should be traced no further than his en-
trance into the Territory. If you under
take to trace mans political position IN
the State from whence he came, and pro-
scribe or indorse him As you approve
or disapproye of his previous course,
what is the consequence |? Why it is
simply this: those men who have oceu-
pied particular position in the States,
viii rally around and defend and sustaia
each other, and you effect the orgaaiza-
4ion of IS many parties IS you have In the
.old States; and if you prescribe men on
account of their previous position as rbli7.
ticians. you can never secure union OF
st the different parties to accomplish any
great object. Let everything be COM
menced on new. basis. Let the, only
political organization We have be union
of effort to accomplish any object which
VIII work the greatest good, for the pres
ent and the future, TO the people of the
Territory. Is
i trust that on the question of slavery
every man win carefully review the ques-
ton IN ali its bearings, its influences, in
every point of view, upon The Territory
and the people. / know that many peo-
tple are alarmed at the cry of Abolition
sism, which is thrown at all who are in
favor of making Kansas free, and exclud-
ing slavery. Nov this charge is astrick,
and very shallow trick, too. What
does Aeolitionism mean 2 Why, itmeans