Squatter sovereign., 1855-10-23

We have witnessed the declaration Of
open and auowed resistance, and we see
in il manifestation Of lawless and reck-
less spirit which will soon suhyert the foun-
dations of all law, and reduce us to the
widest state of anarchy and confusion. un-
less it is speedily arrested in its mad ca.
reer. 1t counsels dissolution Of all social
and political ties. Itconstitutes every man
the sole Judge of the validity of all law
the opinions of the highest Judicial Tribu-
nal in the Territory are set at naught and
treated with utter contempt-op defiance
to "the powers that be" is already pro-,
claimed. It is needless 10 argue against
the folly and wickedness of such conduct
Il is higher-lawisln-it is Treason.
The undersigned earnestly hope that the
fanatical and insane spirit is not so broad
spread, as the present aspect OF things
would lead US to suppose persistence in
such a course would involve us In COLI
sion which ali good men would deprecate.
and strive to avoid. Nevertheless, we
think the indications are such as cannot be
disregarded. This Tebellious and resolu-
tionary spirit must be met and resisted,
even with the strong arm of power, and
better met and encountered in its inception
than hereafter, when it may have acquired
more strength and vitality.
| If we have amongst US a class of men
who are unwilling to abide by that funda-
mental democratic principle, that "the ma
iority shall govern n"--men who would mad
ly plunge US into anarchy, confusion and
civil broils, for such must be the result. if
persisted in,) why. it behooves US all as
good citizens, as lovers of law and order,
at once to assemble and adopt some meas
ures to arrest and turn away from US, the
train of evils which such course must In
evitably bring about. Let us consult to-
gether, Gall law-abiding men, without dis
tinction of party and calmly and dispas-
sionatiely mature such plans, and take
such steps as may be deemed most advisa.
bic to avert the dangers which threatened
our liberties. Our present Chief Magis.
trate has already pledged himself in ad'
vance, to see that sofar as in him hes, the
laws of the Territory shall be, inforced.-
The legally constituted officers Throughout
the Territory, will, we believe, do theil
duty. but in this they must be sustained by
the law-abiding portion of the community
The great mass Of the citizens of Kansas
we knowto be a law-abiding people. We
believe that many who are now co-opera
ting with this higher-law party are goot
men, and not to be classed with those wht
would resist the legally constituted author
tiles of the country. To such misguided
) men, we would appeal, and ask them t.
unite with us in opposing course, which
: little reflection must convince them - 81
fraught with danger to the prosperity ant
happiness Of the whole country. We ain
only to promote the general welfare. w,
therefore in conclusion urgently call upoi
all lovers of law and order, throughout tn,
Territory, all who desire to see the consti
tuition and laws of the land regarded ant
enforced, and who wish to live in peac,
and harmony, to assemble at a genera
mass meeting to be held at Leavenwortl
City, on Wednesday, the 14th of Novem
: Der next, and there to devise such meas
ures as their wisdom may dictate.
ANDREW J. ISACKS,
| JOHN A. HALDERMAN,
}, D. ]. JOHNSON,
WIN. G. MATTHIAS,
), r. r. REES,
L. F. HOLLINGSWORTH,
u. A. n. GROVER,
: Committee.