Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1855-12-15


ry, as before remarked, have joined issue
with the Governor on the validity of the pro-
ceedings ofiheMissouri legislators. Theyhave
taken the spirit Of their organic act as their
guido, and are determined to carry out ia a
legitimate manner, and to a legitimate con-
clusion, the principles avowod by those who
secured its passage While they claim the
protection of the laws of the United States
the inalienablc right OF every American citi-
zeu--they do not recognize the power of Mis-
sourians, Of Congress, or Of the President, in
foisting upon them laws and regulations for
their territorial and municipal government
Whatever may have been their notions orgi-
nally as to the power of Congress to regulate
the a6airs of the Territories, Congress hav-
ing abjured that right by the passage Of their
organic act, they now feel absolved from its
claims TO control their actions. 1t is not a
factious opposition that they make. II is the
solemn and determined action of large ma
jority Of the actual settlers of Kansas; and we
venture to say that more law-loving and law
abiding set of citizens cannot be found in any
State, or any Territory of this Union.
Their course has been consistent with their
professions. They rcfrained from going TO the
polls at the time prescribed by the bogus leg
stature for the election Of Delegate in Con-
gress, and appointed time when they would
meet to elect their Delegate. They chose ex-
Gov. Rceder nearly or quite unanimously Mt
that election, giving him quite three-fouiths
Of all the votes east 10y actual settlers at both
elections. They subsequently met by a con-
vention of delegates and adopted form for
a State Constitution. They have fixed upon
a time when this form shall be submitted to
the people, and, if accepted by them and thus
made their organic law, also upon period
when they will proceed to elect the officers
therein provided. This being done they will
present their Constitution, which provides for
a Republican form Of government" to Con-
gress, and claim admission into the Union rs
right Of theirs under the provisions of the
Federal Constitution.
Such is the attitude in which the Free State
men of Kansas now stand before the country
and before the world. They are battling for
the wholesome provisions of constitutional
law, and against the usurpaiions Of a comb
nation Of "border rufiians,' Missouri rcgula-
tors, and unprincipled shareholders. They
desire free institutions for themselves, and TO
leave them untnrnished as the richest legacy
their children can receive. They are opposed
by an oligarchy, comparatively small in num-
bers, but all-powcrlul in its resources, and
counienanced, if not openly supported, by the
agents of the present administration. Under
these circumstances il cannot excite wonder
that their course is watched with the greatest
interest, and that all who are not only in favor
of freedom from bodily servtudc, but free
dom from u far more CALLING oppression, per-
petrated under cover of law, will most ar
IDENTITY desire their success.
The New York Erening Post truly re-
mafks,--"lt is impossible not to feel an in
tense sympathy with those who have taken
the attitude Of bold and determined resistance
to the DEGREES of the pretended legislature
which sat at the Shawnee Mission. Every
liberal sentiment-the love of freedom, the
Interest ofoppression, the deieslation of fraud,
the adherence of wrong cloaked under the
guise Of law-evcry feeling of the human
heart, which does no, counsel cowardly sub
mission and the purchase of present safety at
the price Of future evils, takes part with the
residents Of Kansas. They may commit i'm.
prudent nets---,hey may be rash; there may
be fanatical persons among, them, who will
do what we cannot Justify; but their cause is
a great and righteous cause, and we must
stand by it to the last"