The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-12-06


LEAvENwORTH CITY, KANSAS,
November l6, 1855.
To the Editor ofthe National Era:
On the 3Oth ult., Mr.. Collins, a prominent
and highly respectable Free State citizen of
Doniphan, was murdered. 1t occurred in this
way: Pat. Laughlin, who was a member of
the Free State Convention of September, has
lately deserted the cause, and in the Pro-Sla
very papers has given a protested expose of an
alleged secret military association, which he
affirms exists among the Free State men of the
Territory. After this publication, Collins's
children tainted Laughlin with being traitor
He retorted that the family were liars. Collins
demanded afterward that he should retract that
SANDER by ten o'clock the next day. At the
time appointed he called upon Laughlin, gun
in hand, to require the retraction. He and his
friends had armed themselves. One of them,
named Foreman, probably thinking Collins
would shoot, struck down his gun, and by the
jar it went off, without injury to any one.
Upon this, a man named Lynch discharged
rife, loaded with ball and buck shot, into the
side of Collins. AS he staggered, MORALLY
wounded, he knocked down Lynch, and, draw
ing knife, stabbed Laughlin. Collins died
| Immediately. Neither of the others was dan.
gerously wounded. Lynch has absconded, and
Laughlin has gone to St. Joseph's, Missouri.
1t is evident that Collins was a brave and
honest man /; but he did not Justly weigh the
considerations, which would have dictated great
er caution / dislike to mention such facts
because they give countenance to the exagge-
| rations which have been spread abroad in re-
gard to the perils that attend residence in
Kansas. Along the Missouri border one needs
considerable prudence but in most parts of
| the Territory people can dwell as securely as
elsewhere.
| The Constitutional Convention has adjourned.
| 1t has framed Constitution, to be submitted
to the people on the 10Th of December. Janu-
airy 18th is the day appointed for the election
| of State officers and the members of the first
J Legislature of Kansas. The Legislature is to
meet at Topeka en- the 4th of March, 1856.
| The Constitution contains no Black Law
clause. 1t prohibits the introduction of slaves
after its adoption by the people, but allows the
slaves now here to be retained till July 4, 1857.
The Law and Order Convention, composed
il part of the men who tarred and feathered
Phillips, has Just been held in this place.
Governor Shannon presided, and DIR. String
fellow was Secretary. The Governor is a very
pleasant, courteous man in social intercourse.
But l am constrained to say that he made a
weak and Uncardid stump speech against the
Free State movement. No word of censure
did he utter against the Missouri forays, but
freely poured out his Indignation on the Free
State men, for their alleged disorganzing and
revolutionary movements. He expressed his
belief in the validity of the Legislature and its
| laws and he affirmed, that whoever might be
against them, they might rest assured that they
| had fast and firm friend in President Pierce
Mr.. Calhoun, of Illinois, Surveyor of the two
Territories, made an abusive and glanderous
speech against the Free State misunderstanding
| that he would not believe them on oath, and
| that he would rather the Car of Russia should
rule over this country, than see the Free-Soilers
| in power.
| | did not hear the resolutions of the Con-
ventiOn; but ! understand they are very tenn
perate and conservative in character. Govern
| or Shannon was appointed chairman of a com.
mittee to draw up an address to the People.
The address, as we'll as the resolutions, will be
made to suit the new character of these claw
and Order" men, who recently gloried in the
| name of "Border Ruf6ans." They will palm
| these conservative documents upon the people
as the real sentiments of the men who recently
| acted as the leaders, followers, and friends, of
! the Missouri invaders.
| Gov. Shannon predicted that in the next
Presidential election the strife would be be-
tween the BLACK Republican party" and the
Union Democrats" and, says he, "knowinp
|
not on which side you will he found.n
During the nesting, q letter from .our Kan
sas correspondent which Ia Las been reOubl;sbs n
in the Kansas Herald, was called for, and read.
The letter contained the statement that Nebras.
ka Democrats, who were believed to act under
the influence of Senator Douglas, had entered
heartily into this Free State movement. This
| statement disturbed them; and, ON the princi.
pie of the boy who kicks the stone over which
he has stumbled, they fell upon your CORES.
pondent, and his character was dreadfuily blast.
ed, if the abuse of such men could effect it.
Gen. Calhoun said he was intimately acquaint-
ed with the man whose name was attached to
that letter, and, in the classic language of this
gentleman, your correspondent was described
as without character among his acquaintances
in Illinois, and "more loathsome in their view
than the rotten carcass of dead hog" and che
so stunk of Abolitionism, that they could not
be persuaded TO touch him with a pair of tongs
twenty feet long," Your correspondent was not
present at the meeting, but the next morning
! he called upon Calhoun, and informed him that