The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1855-12-08
Kan,.. and Rseasr.

The state Of affairs in Kansas is becoming
somewhat alarming, il the late accounts are
true. The free state men seem resolved
On bringing the question invOlyedto q sPee-
dy issue. 1t 10 easy to do 50 # that Is their
wish. The laws Of the late session Of the
Legislature arc stringent and place every
man there who openly opposes the introduc-
ton of slavery into Kansas in the position Of a
criminal. Those laws were to 20 into oper-
alton in October last; but up TO this time
they have been dead letter over q great
portion of the terrilory. Where the free
state settlers are much the most numerous,
very little effort will be made 10 enforce
those laws. In districts where pro-slayery
men prevail they may be enforced. But
there are few such districts according to late
accounts. The free state men are all armed
and prepared for bloody resistance if the
the execution of the laws is attempted.-
Gov. Shannon has resolved to enforce the
laws. We sec not how he could do 9th
erwise. His official oath requires it. They
are laws, however unwise and unjust they
may be. Yet a clear majority Of the peo-
pie are resolved to rcpudiatc and resist them
There is a fair chance for civil war. The
first attempt to punish an offender for vio-
lation of the law will be resisted, and gener-
al war throughout the territory may be the
result.
This is revolution begun. And it must
certainly be admitted that it is an unneces.
sary revolution. 1t is now well known that
majority, and large majority of the peo
pc Of that territory are opposed ID The iii
PRODUCTION of slavery, and 10 thUse laws oi
the late Legislature. What is more needed
then than that they wait till another legis
latare is to be elected, and then turn out il
all their force and elect a Legislature to undt
the evil work Of the former. Repeal ever!
act if necessary. That is the remedy. Blu
to choose civil war and revolution to ri
easy and peaceful remedy is not the way +
Y obtain justice, or secure the sympathy Of tn
d people of the north.
t 1t is certainly unfortunate that Mr.. Reed
er was ever sent to Kansas as Governor
His course throughout was an ill-advise,
A and unfortunate one. He called legisl'
ture together, giving certificates of electio
:, to most of its members. He fixed its plaC
of meeting at Pawnec city, on his own Ian,
!, He addressed message to that legislatur
and he vetoed one of its earliest acts. II
o thus recognized it as Legislature havin
" the power 10 enact laws, and it was SUCH
4. After doing all this we find him next d.
at claring that it was not Legislature becaui
,e it had removed to another place. And y,
10 after that he vetoed another of its acts, tht
y recognizing it as Legislature still. He w
- then removed. He then counselled resi-
= tancc to those laws, and got himself inforr
le ally eleetedas delegate to Congress. H
e. is now at Washington to claim his sea
e, leaving to his deluded friends in the territ
is ry to fight the battles of a civil war if Il
ed quarrel comes to that unfortunate result
e. Mr.. Recders mistakes have done much mi
ID chief. The wrongs and rasealities of
- Stringfellow need never have led to reso
to arms if the free State men had been gu
- ded by wise counsels. ,-,
as We hope yet to learn that there is n
lis danger Of bloodshed, but The late accoun
IN look ominous Of evil Should war cor
of mence there, it might extend beyond Il
st limits of that tcrritory.-Pias. Post.