The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-09-27
AFFAIRS IN KANsAs-GOy. SHANNON
Sept. 3, 1898.
To the Editor Of tie National Era:
LEAvENwORTH CRY, X. T.,

Sept. 8, 1855.
To the Editor ftte National Era:
The Democratic Convention to organize the
party, which was called at Tecumseh was a
failure No resolutions were adopted no can
didate for Congress was chosen. Mr.. Perkins
has announced himself as @ Democratic Pro-
Slavery independent candidate.
Cen Whitfield, the nominee of the Pro-Sla-
very party, is not popular among many of his
own party, because he is understood to agree
with Colonel Manypenny in the management of
Indian affairs. This management the settlers
consider unjust and inexpedient.
An enthusiastic Free State Convention was
held at Big Springs, X. T., on the 5th and 9th
of September. Delegates were present from
all parts of the Territory. In respect to the
great questions that came before the Conven-
ton, general unanmity prevailed
The spurious Legislature was repudated, its
laws treated with contempt, and defed It's
election law was so framed, that the great body
of free State men would be excluded from the
polls. Every man who would not swear to sus-
tain the Fugitive Slave Law and this Kansas
Bill might be deprived of the right of suffrage.
The law ia also burdened with other odious Tnd
insupportable provisions. But, apart from the
character of its legislation, the body ITSELF as
an illegal and invalid Legislature, was un,eer-
sally denounced, as undeserving allegiance or
respect.
The Convention authorized its executive
committee to issue proclamation, setting forth
the necessities of the case, and calling upon
the voters of the Territory to meet on the sec
ond Tuesday of October, for the purpose of
choosing delegate to Congress. The Legis-
lature has appointed the first Monday of Oeto.
Der for that purpose. The election occusring
on the second Tuesday is to be held according
to ali the forms of law which the circums an
ces of the case will allow. A memoris. to
Congress, setting forth the facts, which go to
show that the voters of the Territory were
driven by tyranny and usurpation to adopt
this course, is to be signed by every voter at
the polls. This memorial, with the returns of
election, and all the evidence pertaining to the
case, is to be forwarded to Congress and, thus
furnished, we trust our delegate will be re-
ceived. Governor Reeder attended the Con-
vention, but took no part in its proceedings.
With great unanimity he was chosen as the
candidate of the Free State party for Congress
This was the unsolicited and spontaneous choice
of the People of the Territory.
After the nomination, Governor Reeder was
called upon to address the meeting. When he
came forward, he was greeted with hearty and
long continued cheering. His speech was.re-
celNcu Will universal III an earnest
and dignifed manner he announced his hearty
determination to live, and, if need be, die, in
the glorious warfare for Freedom in Kansas,
Governor Shannon, at Westport, Missouri,
on the LIST instant gave his inaugural speech.
While thus addressing Missourians, at two rev.
eral times, in speaking of the Legislature of
Kansas, he said Your Legislature" He de-
clared that its acts were valid and in full fo>ce,
and affirmed that he had the will, and vas
clothed with the necessary power, to carry its
laws into execution and again turning aroand
to his Missourian audience he said0"I ask
you to sustain me in the discharge of this duty.
Governor Shannon will find that he is dealing
with men here; and if he expects to enforce
the bloody, tyrannical, and detestable laws of
this Legislature, he will have his hands full.
The Legislature has taken out of the power
of the People the right to elect their own off,
GERS but by appointment they have divided
the Offices among their relations and friends in
Missouri and elsewhere and when the num-
bers of these failed: they appointed Themselves
1t cannot be that even Pro-Slavery men will
quietly yield to such injustice and tyranny"
In regard to the establishment of the seattof