The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-10-22
IzAvrrwoR1n err, KANSAS TERnroRY, I
0Ctntov lQ5k


he DoscaJdu Of Co., Resder-Lisory of the Efforts Of
the Exo,utiN to Crush the Pro-Sarery Pcrty-7ne Elec
tios, Of 1854 and Us Moral.
Having been resident of the Territory called
Kansas for a number of years, propose give to the
people through the columns Of your widely known jour
nal history Of Kansas politics from then dawn the
downfall OF Governor Reeder. am prompted 70 do this
from the that have noticed, time and again. many
false statements in relation 70 Kansas elections
In the fall of 1858 convention assembled il
wyandotte county to nominate candidate for de-
epaic to Congress This resulted in tho nomination OF
Abelard Gutherie Ia native OF Ohio, who was mar
ried in the wyandote nation) 10 represent the PEG
re OF Nebraska (the Territories we're then undivided
This nomination not very acceptable 70 many OF
The old settlers, and a short time thereafter conven
ton called TO nominate opposition candidate
The action of this convention resulted in nominating
Rev. Thomas Johnson old settler fo- Congress. The
ELECTION OF on the 10th Of October, 1853 Johnson
wM elected by an overwhelming majority. Indians and
whites all voting.
The delegate visited Washington city, bat did not pro
seat in Congress Of the ilegality
Indian votes; but by this act the ball was IN
tion,o and the far famed Kansas. Nebraska bill was
passed. The Governor and other territorial Off
appointed and made their appearance among The
ception given Governor Reeder at the time of his
at Fort eavenworth quite hatteriDg, indeed. This
reception took place on the 10th Of October,
Ii was supposed that newly appointed executive
would Immediately issue his proclamation ordering an
election for delegate to Congress as census
should be TAKEN but instead of this he remained mac
tive except travelling about through the Territory I'M
| III the 10th Of November when proclamation was
issued :eriDg an election the Goth OF that month";
to be made the 4h ofthe succeeding month
giving only ten days for the proclamation be pub
shed throughout Territory Soo miles north and south
and mill aaaf aYdg a
| show that he was not disposed to act justly 70
both parties. Our principal strength the slave party
| refer toy was he well knew, In the southern
part Of Kansas while the whole antslayery strength
was in this portion and could receive the pro'a.
would take Ave and eight days to send it TO Fort Scott
other precincts where the proslavery party were
| settled.
The people Of Missouri this attempt annul the
principles of the NebIaska-Kansas BILL and subvert to
aate private desires the power vested in the executive
Of Kansas Territory and who would not, ask of
the Northern people, be excited beyond measure at this
act of injustice? Gov Reeder was here exerng all his
power and influence to elect man who had accompanied
him Pennsylvania with the avowed purpose Of run
ming for Congress upon the slavery PLATFORM who had
Gov. Reeder's proclamation expressly and implicitly
stated that with other qualifications voter must have
claim in the Territory and have declared his inten.
ton to become permanent settler. Mr.. Flennken had
claim and had not declared his intention to become
settler but st he under the auspices Of the execu,
tive when he not according to the proclamation OF
During this time the Emigration Aid Society was
pouring in hordes Of their men, who came here avowedy
10 make Kansas free State. Missouri was looking on
with much interest at this usurpstion Of power
VItaly interested in Kansas politics should Kansas
become free State, her slave property and
| slave labor would diminish in value; her fugitive
negroes would be harbored by the sboitioniss upon
her western border her institutions would continu
ally unsafe nhor her al was At stake The people be-
led astray They vengeance against all per-
the East declaring them abolitoniss and negro
ceu ent which boiled within the bosos OF the lovers OF
Missouri welfare The excitement clouded their
and advantage of their Judgment; and do not pre-
tend to deny but what many acts were perperated by
| Missourians under these circumstances which they
ss
her dearest interest is at stake win always be-
ready and prepared ~, to defend herself her sister
what he may The people Of Missouri most assuredly
had as much right to visit Kansas and make their land
selections the men Of the Emigration Aid Society.
Again. the thereof had certainly, after having 10
vote as the Eastern people had who had recently ar
ved from the Fast and were Themselves boarding at
city, Mo- Parkylle Mo. This latter fact the
Irecedng-incontrovertibe. The Missourians visited
kansas, made their selections, but their pens 70
ly person legally authorized to do so. The persons
from the East visited Kansas left their families in the
tate in comfortable quarters and boarded at the Law
Hotel until after the election They had made
claim but stu they voted, and Governor Reeaer and
his friends wpked the movement but kicked up ire
mendously about MissouriaDs coming into Kansas.
The election off the 10Th Of Novembcr-the
"a one was prevented from snsno ons
was deferred iom giving an expression Of his views
took possession Of the polls, as have stated
Everything went of quietly The judges performed their
duties rigdiy at one precinct ecurnseh) the appointed
judges refused act and the voters appointed others
their stead Such are the facts to which DEFY all proofs
| TO the contrary.
tary Of the Territory the proper daythe votes
counted an the count stood, Whitfield 200 Flennikeu
some 200, and Wakefield 26o,-these are, as near as
my memory serves me, the correct number OF
votes received by the candidates. Great excite
%ent prevailed throughout Kansas among the PEG.
| Tolled;i "Missourians came and took possession Of
the polls 'woud not let settlers cast their votes,
with against Missouri and Missourians. The
ports deliberately written and exaggerated beyond
all reason and sent the East-there be by per-
sons who unacquained with the facts and
ready to devour everything that not totally absurd
| about Kansas and Missouri.
The polls we're returned and votes counted Whitfield
Resder put forth his power declared i6e ole Illegal
another day for the trial Of the case; but for Reasons
unknown he did the evening Of the 7h Of December
three days after the votes had been counted give Whit
| field q certificate OF election.
Where was Ficnniken during this time He
| his way to Pennsylvania to join his
family, never probably to return Kansas Territory.
will here state for the benefit Of persons unacguainted
was one Of u.s. We did not import him 10 run for Con
gress, but he has been with for eevera years. His
interests and were identified. Whatever act re-
ceved his support in Washington city, the passage there
Of affected him well ar ourselves
With Mr.. Flenniken It was altogether different. He
bad nothing In the Territory. His family In Penn
sylvanis, his home the same. He had not even made
selection Of land and built his house upon H. Such
| the facts in relation to the election Of 1854.
Many circnm stances could be produced to show
the manner in which the pro-slavery party has been
tramped upon by the executve but my communication
| ID now so lengthy that will await another time.
/ B. d. C..
i Our Psnsma Correspondence.