The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-05-19
Kansas.

:. The result of the late election IN Kan
sas Territory has already been announced
through the Union, aad it is very gener-
ally understood how Il was conducted
According to the census, taken but a few
weeks previous to tlleelection there were
a little over 5000 legalvoters inthe Ter
ritory, and yet the returns showed vote
of between seven aud eight thousand. It
is to be deeply regretted that such state
of things should exist IN this interesting
Territory. and that so little regard is paid
to the actions and directions of the con-
stituted authorities of the government
Any such violation of the principles that
govern us as people. while it agitates
and conyulses the entire nation, viii go
far tosiaake the faith and weaken the GEN.
idence of the democratic party of the
North, in the principle of popular SOW
ereignty" as recognized IN the Kansas
and Nebraska bill. There are thousands
of warm, true democrats who approved
of the plan. deeming it no more than just
and fair and in keeping with republican
principles, that the citizens OF every Ter
ritory should mould their own institu-
tions; butif such scenes as Kansas has
Witnessed are to be enacted whenever a
new territory is to be organized-f the
81 actual residents " in each instance are
not to be permitted TO carry out the IN
tent Of the-law-if the people of another
State are encouraged or sustained in a
systematic and formidable inyasion-they
will soon arrive at the conclusion that 1t
were far better that no such bill had ever
passed. We speak plainly on this sub
ject and wish to be properly understood.
We were an ardent supporter of the Ne
braska doctrine of popular sovereignty"
we are so still, if it can be properly and
practically carried out. We desire to
see those who have a right to vote in a
new territory, exercise that right without
hindrance or restraint. When they are
not allowed to do this. the doctrine be-
comes farce and humbug. And If
this course is to be persisted in, we re-
gard it as the bounden duty of the Ma
tional Administration to enforce the spir-
it and the letter of the law, even if it
must be done at the point of the bayonet.
What is it but rebellion against the laws
of the United States? What is it but
self-constituted mob law Suppose the
people of New Jersey or New York should
come in large bodies to Pennsylvania,
disregard the acts of our legal authori
ties, seize upon the ballot-boxes, thrust
out of their places the legally chosen
election officers, fill the vacancies. with
men of their own selection, and do all
the voting to the exclusion of our own
citizens Would we not be justly indig-
nant and demand the interference of the
government in our behalf? Thatthis has
been done in Kansas no one pretends to,
deny. And yet the citizens of another
State have no more right to overrun Kan
sas and over-power her people than the
residents of New Jersy have to do SO in
Pennsylvania, Such conduct, let itcome
from what quarter it may, should not be
tolerated, and the sooner it is checked the
better for the peace and the happiness,
not only of Kansas, but of our whole
country.
Governor Reeder has proven himself,
in this crisis, brave and an honest man
and true patriot. He fills position
that calls for the exercise of much moral
courage and irmness. Those who knew
the man felt satisfied he would never
finch. Knowing him as we do, from
long and intimate social and political ac
quaintance, we have no fears for him
Bad and reckless men may threaten to
chang" him, but no power on earth can
force him to swerve from what he feels to
be his duty. He will die at his post be-
fore he will be forced into wrong act.
He has too much of the spirit of old
Hickory in bis composition, to be driven
into any step. that his conscience does
not approve. If threats of assassination
make him yield Que inch. then we don't
know the man. 1t is very evident those
who made them did not know him, or
they would have spared themselves the
trouble.-Easton 4rgas.