Squatter sovereign., 1855-09-25
From the st. Joseph Gazette.
To the Voters Of Kansas.

FELLOW CIrIzEEs.-An election is
approaching which involves momensous is.
sues. Our country is In most unforsu-
nate situation. The public mind is agita-
ted with intense excitement. Our govern
ment, the institutions we have so long hon.
ored and cherished, stand, as it were, up-
on a powder magazine, which the slight
est spark may explode. Here may orig
mate the explosion that. will rend to
pieces, not ourselves only, but the bonds Of
our federal union.
The free-soil party of this territory have
proclaimed the higher-law doctrines of Sc
ward. Phillips and Parker as their rule of
action. They assert it to be the right Of
each individual to determine for himself,
the extent of his obedience to the acts of
the Legislature, and deny it to be the pro-
vince of the courts to decide the validity of
the laws. This is TevoIution. 1t is the
destruction of all government, and makes
force the arbiter between man and man.
Such result carries no alarm to the pro-
slavery party personally. They doubt not
that they have the power to eject from this
land, the Abolitionists, as the volcano elects
the burning lava from its crater. But they
deprecate resort to arms to decide dis
pute between citizen and citizen, because
they love their country. They know that
when civil war begins the reign Of terror
commences, and the voice of justice and
humanity is seldom heard.
Ex-Governor Reeder solicits your suf-
frages. His career in this country has
been one of bitter hostility to its best in
terests. For reasons that he has never
explained, he permitted US to remain with
out the protection of laws, for months af-
ter our twin-sister had been blessed with
wholesome code. Driven at last by exc
cutive edict TO convene oar Legislature. he
called the members together at a point,
where, surrounded by pestilence, pressed
by famine. and destitute of every conven-
fence to transact public business, it was i'm
possible for them to legislate. And when
under the pressure of these multiplied diff
ficulties they adjourned to more suitable
point, he endeavored to convert that act,
induced by his own misconduct into an ex-
cuse for depriving you still longer of the
blessingso of government. And now that
efforts have failed, he endeavors to excite
our people to civil war, and to ihcarnate
our plains and valleys in the blood of our
citizens. Still he pretends to be law
abiding man. Thus far his course has been
that of a hypocris, let him look to it that
his end is not that of traitor.
turn with pleasure from this charac-
ter to Gen. Whitfield, his pro-slavery oppo-
nent, who, if not great man, is at least
an honest one. His motto is obedience
to the laws is the first duty of the citizen.
He never incites mob. nor sympathizes
in their violence. But if the civil authori-
ties ever require his assistance to maintain
their supremacy, he will not disappoin.
them. You have known him as a public
officer. You have known him as Dele.
gate to Congress. Is he faithful Is he
competent Is he true to the constitution
of his countrys If you believe him SC
your choice is already made, for detected
ohicaneny cannot contend with honor; nol
the enemy of law and order with the friend
Of both. PUBLIUS.