Squatter sovereign., 1855-05-15
The Massachusetts Foray upon Missouri

The telegraph advises us, that one Mr..
Black has introduced into the Massachu-
sets Legislature preamble and resolu-
tons concerning the invasion of Kansas
by armed Missourians- upon the
Executive of Missouri to prevent a repeti
ton OF these outrages, and upon the Presi-
dent to take instant and effective measures
Tor maintaining the sovereignty of Kansas,
and pledging the Commonwealth of Mas
sachusetts, If necessary, to aid with her
whole power the government Of Kansas,
and the people of that or any other State,
OF Territory. in the support of their Con-
stitutional rights, by whomsoeyer infring-
ed"
The telegraph does not tell us what dis
position was made of this preamble and
resolutions. We take it for granted, how
ever, judging from the past action Of this
notorious Legislature, that they were adj
opted. In State which has some re-
markable periods In her history-in which
women have been put to death because
they were so unfortunate as to lie under the
imputation of witchcraft-which, only a
few years since, was disgraced by the burn
ing Of convent, and the turning of unof-
Tending women out of doors, and whose
Legislatures vain appeals have ever since
been made for restitution of the value OF
the property destroyed; in a State which,
only last year, saw law of Congress SO
far set aside as to permit mob to shoot
down and murder one of the individuals
appointed TO enforce that law, and whose
murderers have not yet been punisheG-it
comes with bad grace for them to talk
about violated law or the infringement of
their constitutional rights. But, not to go
so far back, what has distinguished the
present session of the Massachusetts Leg
islature, save and except a perfect con-
tempt of the rights of the people of other
States, and of individuals within her own
limits! Have they not manifested thor.
ough contempt Of one of the series of Com
promise measures passed in 1850, and
known as the Fugitive Slave Law? Have
they not voted to turn Judge Loring out OF
office-a man whose only offence was, that,
In carrying out the obligations of his oath,
he had simply, but faithfully, executed the
law under which he was called to act2-
Have they not appointed inquisitoria1 COM
mittees of most novel and extraordinary
character, and did not those committees
disgrace themselves, as well as the State,
by lntruding themselves upon the ladies of
a private school, prying into all the apart
ments, and putting insulting questions to
them-conduct so grossly outrageous as to
call forth the condemnation Of the whole
press OF Massachusetts, with, we believe
a single exceptions Was not another of
the visits of this same committee signal
lied by taking with them, or with one OF
the members, from Boston to Lowell, at
the expense of the State, woman of i'll
fame? And are they not pretty set OF
fellows TO lecture the people Of Missouri
upon morals, or politics, Or the rights Of the
States under the Constitution?
Whatever the citizens of this State NAV
have done, in Kansas or anywhere else, il
is certain that they cannot have exhibited
more intolerance, more utter contempt OF
the rights Of individuals and States, more
profound indifference TO good morals and
good breeding, a more settled design to
prevent the execution of, and to bring obi
UNI upon, n law of Congress, than this
same fanatical and abandoned set of Mas
sacusetts Legislators. If they are so very
keen to know the views of the Governor OF
Missouri in regard to their acts, they will
send their preamble and resolutions to him.
Perhaps, also, the President will feel him
self called upon to respond to them; and
then, if in their wisdom they should de-
termine to march to the frontier of Mis-
souri,, in hostile array, to aid in any pro.
ceeding against our citizens, we have nc
doubt that the people there, and in Kansas
will be prepared to give them such recep-
as they deserve.-.Wssouri Republican.
Yes, we are prepared to receive all
strangers. With our friends we share our
household. Our enemies we welcome "acih
bloody hands and hospitable graves.