The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-10-13
Eve of fthe Election.

dom was held at the Free State Hotel in
this city, on the evening previous TO
,he election of Tuesday last. G. w.
Smith, Esq, late of Pennsylvania, pre-
sided assisted by several Vice Presi-
dents. The spacious room on the first
aoorseventy feet in length, the halls DC,
we're filed TO overlooking. The Ladies
hOnored the occasion with their presence,
and were interested listeners to the elo-
auent speeches of the occasion. Trans
parences were suspended in the room
among which were "The eve of our dis
enthrallment % "Reeder and freedom !''
"God Speed the Right p Remember
the 30th of Marchp' "Freemen to the
Polls Liberty or Death ~
Mr.. SMITH on taking the chair spoke
several minutes in his usual happy
strain. His remarks were well received,
and prepared the meeting for what fol-
lowed.
Hon. ]. FL. LANE spoke briefly, and
showed the importance of the movement
(which Free State men were concern
ed, and the practicability and moral
certainty of the success of the Constitu-
tiOnal movement. He painted in glowing
eolors the glorious future of Kansas, and
was frequently interrupted by applause
We took very full notes of his speech
for publication, but find our space too
much crowded TO make room for all,
hence we have laid them aside for the
remarks of Gov. REEDER, knowing how
anxious the whole country is to hear
from him.
GGv. REEDER was called for. As soon
as his name was mentioned cheer fol-
lowed upon cheer and his name was re-
peated time and time again by all pres
eut. The Governor appeared upon the
stand, when the applause was almost
deafcning. As he was about to speak
some person proposed three cheers for
Resder and Right, which was responded
to in manner which would have made
the most houored man in the Republic
feel proud of such a constituency--one
Of intellect and moral worth who could
appreciate his position.
When silence ensued the Governor, in
a deep sonorous voice, worthy the Old
keystone from which he came, said =
LADIES, GENTLEMEN, AND Mr.. PRES
IDEsr, thank you with full heart fol
these repeated evidences of your conf
dence and partiality. should be want
ing in the finer emotions oftrue manhood
if such iattering demonstrations did not
touch me, and | should be unworthy oI
hem if they did not bind me to you
your interests to my interests with hooks
of steel In the retrospection of my
whole life, in the recollection of past con-
tests and yictories-in the varied light
and shade of many friendships and some
eamities many successes and some fail
ures; many joys and some sorrows,
find none of the past years to compare IN
interest or Importance with the twelv:
months spent among the people of Kan.
sas, who, by their unfaltering faith and
generous confidence have so bound me
10 them, that to any call or demand o
theirs shall ever hold myself in duty
compelled to respond, as have this
night to yours. Upon former occasion
called attention to the unprecedented
character of our position and the unpre-
cedented Importance of our actions. The
results which shall finally grow out OF the
present confusion will be, not for to-day
not for the present age, only, but for all
time The full grandeur and .magnifi-
cence of this enterprise is not for ouI
eyes-we stand too near to see it all; to
The enlarged and enlighted vision of pos
terity-through the meridium OF purified
experience, and from the standpoint ot
future years, alone, will it loom up with
all its true proportions apparent. And
when the last sound of the hammer shall
have been heard, and beautiful edifce,
and dome, and cornice, and architraye,
stands forth complete, it will be proud
boast to say | was laborer here ; and
when, we in our turn are gathered to the
aecomplishmentof Natures great plan oi
change and reproduction, the eye thai
kindles in admiration at our work vii
turn to shed tear of pious reverence up
on the narrower house that gives eterna
shelter to the builders. Never so small 8
stone laid here might be proud mans
monument.
Since then our actions are likely te
undergo the inspection not only of Co
temporaries but posterity, have we thus
far fraD,ed our course so as to deserve
approval For one believe we have
i am proud at this moment of the Free
State Party, and of tue principles of ac,
ton which it has promulgated. 1t stands
in the position of rendering good for evil
1t says-"We were born free white men,
and claim the privileges arising from ths
condition-the first OF those is the unmo
tested regulation of our institutions
upon our Territory we want not the
blighting curse OF slavery--we do not
dispute nor do we in any way wish te
interfere with il elsewhere-we stand
upon the platform of justice and equa
rights and within the compacts of the
Constitution, and the safeguards OF law
We ask that Popular Sovereignty become
Il. IL. q