The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-09-26
ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED

you suggestions upon topic which vitality concerns
our State and which, IL is believed may TO serious
tent affect the general welfare Of our country.
We propose TO discharge this duty by concise and
candid exposition OF facts touching condition and
its bearing upon Kansas accompanied with such reflections
as the facts naturally suggest
That portion of Missouri which borders on Kansas COR
tans, as nearly be ascertaned population OF
fifty thousand slaves and their estimated value the
prices prevailing here about twenty-five millions of dol
lars As the whole State contains but about one hundred
thousand slaves il will be that half Of the entire
slave population of Missouri is located the eighteen eoun
ties bordering Kansas the greater portion OF which is
separated from that Territory by natural boundary
and is within days ride of the line This part of
State is distinguished by uniform fertility of soil tenn
perae and healthfu climate and population progressing
rapidly in all the elements that constitute prosperous
community. Agriculture is in a most iourhing condi-
ton and the and villages which have sprung up
dictate steady progress towards wealth. refinement and
commercial Importance Nor have the higher interests of
education religion aud science been neglected; but
schools and respectable institutions of higher grade
and churches of every Christian denomination found
every county The great staple of this district is hemp,
although tobacco, and corn and wheat also largely
produced The culture of hemp has been found profitable
than cotton in the South and this fact with the
additional that almost every foot of land within the
counties alluded to is wonderfully adapted by nature TO its
production, in greater quantities ana finer qualities aud
cost tIdu III otutr Union, ana
that the climate is such TO permit the growers of this
article reside their estates will readily explain aud
account for the unexamped growth Of the country AL
ready constitutes the denscy populated portion Of
State, and its remarkable fertility OF soil and general
saubrity OF climate with the facilities for outlet furnished
by noble river running through its midst and two great
railroads. destined soon TO traverse its upper and lower
borders will render it at distant period, if left undis-
turbed desirable and fourshing district can be
found in the Mississippi valley.
An idea has TO extent prevailed abroad that Mis-
souri, contained but very small slave population and that
the permanence of this institution here threatened by
the existence Of at least respectable minority of her c
ready and anxious to abolish it. and that only slight
external pressure necessary accomplish this purpose
We regret that this opinion has extent received
from the publication and patronage Journals
in commercial metropolis evidently aiming at such
result Without however going into any explanation Of
political parties here which would be entirely foreign
purpose think it proper to state that the idea above al
uded is unounded and that respectable party
be found in this State outside of St Lou prepared
bark in any such schemes In that city, constituting the
great outlet OF commerce. well that of several
other States and Territories will surprising that
its heterogeneous population should furnish foothold for
the widest and most visionary projects ST. Louis was
however represented convention aud it sno thought
understandable that the resolutions adopted by
this body have received hecorda appreciation large and
influential portion Of her citizens. Other counties besides
st Louis outside of the district which observations
have been principally directed also represented by
delegates and had the Of the year, the short
notice OF its intended session. and the locality where the
convention heldremoe from the centre of the State
prevented doubt that delegates from every county
in the State would have been in attendance. Indeed
portion of the Upper Mississippi and Lower Mississippi
counties deeply though less directly interested in
this question any part of this State and their citizens
known to accord most heartily in the sentiments and
tons of Missouri Even In the southwest part
State, from the Usage to the borders of Arkansas
where there but few slaves the proceedings Of public
meetings indicate the entire and active sympathy of their
people From the general tone of the public press through
out the State similar inference is deducibe and feel
warranted in asserting, very general II not unanimous,
in the principles adopted by the Lexington
convention Those principles imhodied in series of
resolutions appended to this address, and which,
happy to say, were adopted with entire unanimity by a
body representing every shade of political opinion TO be
found in the interior of our State These facts conclu
sve of the condition Of public sentiment in Missouri The
probabilities of changes here in reference to the question of
slavery not essentially different from what they in
Tennessee, Virginia or Kentucky In relation to
bers reference 10 the shows that Missouri
double the number of Arkansas nearly double the number
of Texas, and about equal number with Maryland
These facts are stated with view proper under
standing of position in reference TO the settlement of
Kansas and the legitimate and necessary interest felt
the progress and character of that settlement Previous
to the repeal Of the congressional restriction of 1890 by
which Missouri thrown into isolated position in
reference the question of slavery, and made solitary
exception to general rule her condition in regard the
territory of her border and yet north of the geo.
graphical line which Congress had fixed the terminus
/ OF southern institutions truly unenviable With two
States her northern and eastern border in many por
tons OF which the constitution of the United States, and
the ugitivesave law passed in pursuance thereof were
known to be notifications for the protection of our
rights rs they would have been in London Canada 1t
left to the will of Congress- by enforcing the resrc-
ton of 1920 Missouri off almost entirely from all
territorial with Sntes having institutions
genial her own and with populations ready and willing
to protect and defend them No alternative left that
body but TO repeal the restriction and thus leave The
constitution and the laws of the settlement of our
Territories or by retaining the restriction indirectly
abolish slavery Missouri If the latter alternative had
to be selected it would have been of charity and
mercy to the Shareholders of Missouri them in
time OF the necessity OF abandoning their homes
hitting or selling their saveato give them ample time 10
determine between the sacrifice of fifty millions of slave
property and seventy millions Of landed estate Direct
legislation would have been preferable 10 indirect legis
la,ion leading the result and the enforcement
of the restriction in the settlement OF Kansas virtually
the abolition Of slavery in Missouri But Congress acted
more wisely think and with greater fidelity to the
4 constitution and the Upion.
The history Of the Kansass ebrGsks bill is known TO the
country II abolished the geographical line of 80 deg 30
min by which the limits Of slavery restricted and