Kansas weekly herald., 1855-02-02
To the Public.

W aeIeas seFe8ai Icttefs nave Deen VIII
ten in this community and published abroad,
respecting the election for delegate to
Congress from Kansas Territory on the
29th Of Noyember last; in which letters the
most false and slanderous statements have
been made respecting the friends of Gen.
Whitfield in particular; and the pro-slave-
~ party in general:--We the undersigned
who were all personally present at the polls
in the City Of Leavenworth during the day,
deem it due to truth and justice. as we'll to
sindicate ourselves personally and our par
~; and no less to vindicate the legality and
fairness of election of our worthy Delegate
In Congress, to meet these false and slam
derous charges in these letters, by fair,
honest and truthful statement Of the history
cf that election. v
1t viii however be necessary, in the first
place, to inform the public abroad, that
prior 70 the election number Of abolition
lists with their freesoil allies, came among
us in diguise-concealing their true princi-
ples-to deceive if possible the pro-slavery
party: pretending to be what they were not.
10 conceal what in reality they were. But
the sheep skin, which they had mistaken for
lion skin; OF more probably assumed as a
type and emblem of their arOolly proclivitdss
was too small and awkwardly worn to
hide the genuine nature Of the real animal.
V They professed to be the friends ofsquat-
ter rights and squatter sovereignty; and
were loud in defence of the Kansas and
Nebraska Bill; and warm advocates OF the
people in each Territory TO choose their own
institutions and form of government; but
laboring with all their irnbecile ability 10
persuade the citizens here that in this, the
first election in Kansas, the question of
slavery should be kept out of sight; though
at the same time using all means and efforts
to elect their candidate, r. P. Flenniken,
who in public speech delivered near this
place, declared himself to be in favor Of
making Kansas free Territory.
Then, all these men were affectedly the
sworn friends of the Kansas Nebraska bill;
defenders fthe rights of squatter sovereign
ty-and the repeal OF the Missouri compro-
mise; and prominent among these were
these ietter-writers. -Now, since their sig
nal defeat, and the explosion Of all their
schemes, and the exposure of their duplici-
ty-their sentiments are reversed. "Squat-
ter sovereignty is vile humbug; and the
Kansas Nebraska bill a high-handed, fraud
and iniquity, violation Of the constitution,
and pregnant Of terrible calamities 10 our
country"
And now for the election In Leavenworth
City-respecting which SO many slanders
nnd falsehoods have been published.
We the undersigned were at the opening
of the polls, and remained there during the
day. We saw 10 rietous conduct; such as
in a greater or less degree is seen at most
elections in the States and cities. We saw
but one revolver exhibited on the ground
and that was in the hands Of o,lc Of these
letter-writers; who was 100 cowardly 10 use
It il there lad been necessity for it. We
did not see single bowic-lsnife drawn that
day, nor heard a gun or a pistol fired. And
no voter was driven or eren crowded away
from the polls because of his freesoil or ab-
clifton principles: the fact that s. Of these
were cast for their candidate is proof suffi-
cient Of the falsity Of the charge.
And yet these letter-writers say they saw
all these things. Verify in the words Of
Hudibras,
DIE a,ast have optics good ween
Who sees what is not TO be SEEN"
Nov we can truly say that never in the
old States and cities from which we came
where any excitement prevailed, have we
witnessed more orderly and quiet election
than this, the first of the kind ever held il
Kansas. And it is the more creditable toe
to the squatter sovereigns, when we con.
slider that there was no law, no organizations
no authorities to preserve the peace and
prevent outrage or riot-and up to this time
are none;-indeed no government but il
name. We are and have been such peace.
able, quiet and orderly squatters, that per.
haps this is the reason why our Chief Ma.
gistrate delays providing US with laws, see.
ing we do so well, and behave SO well with.
out them. And indeed the only necessity
existing for laws is created by those evil
spirits; those universal disturbers of peace
and order and violaters of law who have
come among us in Sleeps clothing, but in.
'wardIy are raving wolves. And these are