davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-11-03

JAMS NJ. ynIny. ~, ,E1UNknoCSxa.
DRUDUCx, Commission md S6fNnr4ing nsr
u chants, soEns " State Ard eontA Wstsf street.
thicaSo. Ill febl1d0
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-05-22
PATIENCE-PATIENCE.
TOPEKA, KANSAS, May l, 1856.

TOPEKA, KANSAS, May l, 1856.
TO the Editor Of the National Era:
We are frequently cautioned by Eastern
friends against doing anything endangering q
collision with our Federal or Territorial Gov
ernments. Were they to endure, personally,
what we have endured, OF wrong and outrage,
they would find it much easier to preach such
doctrine, In their present condition, than prac-
tice it, under our circumstances. The Pro-
Slavery party seem determined to drive us into
" organized resistance" by opening, continually,
the wounds they have heretofore inflicted on
our persons and rights, which those Govern
ments have refused to heal. The public mind
Is thus brought to state like that of person
whose nervous system, by acute, protracted
suffering, is excited to the highest degree of
sensitiveness. In proof of what have stated,
/ will relate two facts, of recent occurrence in
this place; and remember, we live some dis
stance in the interior Of the State, and do not
suffer those do who live nearer its eastern bor-
der. One of our citizens is now, and has been
several weeks, in close confinement, on charge
of contempt of court. He neglected to attend
court as witness, the validity of which he did
not acknowledge. Another of orr citizens-a
man peculiarly amiable in his personal appear
ance and deportment-was, without any provo
cation, brutally assaulted by one of Shannon's
volunteers to keep law and order in Kansas,
and so I'M ured as to be more than week in an
almost helpless condition.
While the Government imposed on US gives
no protection to life, liberty, or property, we
are liable at any moment to be dragged from
our business and families by its officers, with
out the shadow of crime.
Our wrongs are aggravated by the character
of those who perpetrate them, the men raised
by the influence of the President to the govern
ing class, the aristocracy of Kansas. They are
generally men who are destitute of intelligence
and moral principle. Many of them have been
trained by shareholders for their particular use
just as they train their dogs to howl on the
track of the fugitive-such men as compose
their patrols and mobs, when they find them
necessary to sustain their peculiar institution.
Shall the Government with which we are
now cursed become permanent? This is the
great question to be decided in the coming po-
litical contest. No other political question or
issue can compare with it in Importance. The
dearest interests of the whole nation are in
volved in it, and Freedom or Slavery depends
on its decision. PAUL.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-05-22

st. Nicholas is stained with the blood of a
murdered man, while the criminal is now at
large, pardoned by the Governor of the State.
And when has ever Washington been thronged
with excited multtudes, marching to witness
the apotheosis of a prize fighter, killed in a
drunken brawlT A paper whose columns are
daily enriched by the personal and pungent
letters of j. s. p, now sojourning here, indig-
nantly exclaims, "what security has any man
in such state of society as that in Washing.
ton, except in holding his tongue?r Precisely
the security J. s. P. enjoys, who never holds
his tongue any more than he chooses. Our
friend talks as freely about members of Con.
gress as they talk about one another, and we
have yet to learn that he considers himself at
all insecure. The truth is, Washington is very
much like other cities, and human nature here
is just what it is elsewhere. IF one man insults
another, he is very likely to have quarrel on
his hands, no matter where he lives, but it is
just as easy for a man to speak good whole
some truth here as it is in New York.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-05-22

some, to have been committed deliberately, by
some, IN paroxysm of passion, by others, in
self-defsnce. He is arrested, arraigned, and
held to bail to answer to the charge of man.
slaughter. We submit that under such circum
stances, he owes it to himself, to mankind, to
the majesty of the Law, and to the dignity Of
the Legislative body of which he is member
to maintain marked reserve, and retire from
the public gaze, until the charge upon which
he stands arraigned shall have been decided by
the proper Tribunal. Human life has been
taken by his hand, and family bereaved
Ought he not to mark his own conjunction for
the act, and his reverence for the Law, which
he is charged with having violated, by refrain
ing from any attempt to exercise the functions
Of legislator?
We make these remarks in no unkind spirit
God forbid Homicide, under whatsoever cir
curnstances committed, is an act full of horror
and the man-slayer must indeed be hardened
in sin who does not exclaim, in the agony Of
remorse, my suaerings are more than l can
bear. We would say nothing to extenuate Oh
aggrsvate the offence of Mr.. Herbert, nothing
to prejudice his case, or aflct his friends, but
we must insist that by voluntarily suspending
the exercise of his functions as legislator, he
ought to have precluded the necessity of the
introduction of such resolution as the fore
going.
The resolution having been introduced, how
could any right-minded man vote against it 7
1t did not censure Mr.. Herbert--or PREJUDICE
his case. 1t was simple resolution of inqui
ry-and the inquiry proposed was to be con
Quoted by the Committee on the Judiciary, a
Standing Committee, appointed at the organi
zation of the House, without, of course, any
reference to the possibility Of such case.
1t certainly does not seem right that a mem.
Der of the House, charged with crime, and held
to bail to answer the charge, should continue
to occupy his seat, speak and vote, as if moth
ing unusual had taken place; and as there is
no precedent for the action Of the House in
such a case, why not refer the subject to its
Judiciary Committee, to consider it, and report,
whether and what action should be taken
We can see some of the difficulties that might
environ the question. Should the Committee
investigate the facts, and report them to be of
such nature as to demand the exclusion of
the alleged offender from his seat, it would be
prejudgment-involvlng an assumption of
judicial power, by the Committee of Legis-
lative body. Would it be right for it to re-
port as general principle, that no member,
charged with felony, ought to be suffered to
continue in his seat, till the charge should be
tried by the proper Tribunals, and the case de-
cided?
We repeat, it seems to us that member so
charged, ought to relieve the House, by his own
act, of any occasion to move in the matter.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-05-22
KANSAS.

KANSAS.
The Congressional Investigating Committee
How the Administration Party View it-At
tsmpts to Break it Up.
LAWRENCE, X. T., May 9, 1856.
To the Editor Of the Missouri Democrat:
The Congressional Investigating Committee
has been in session for fifteen days. They have
collected a mass of evidence of outrages COM
mitted on the rights and persons of American
citizens, unparalleled in the recorded history of
civilized Western communities.
Senators will never again presume to say that
it is doubtful whether Kansas was ever invaded.
The cry of Abolition lies," which has been so
effective in certain sections of our country,
will never again be raised by the friends of the
Administration. Douglas and his report will
have to go to the wall. The Free State men of
Kansas, instead of being regarded as rebels and
fanatics, will be looked on as men with a mar
vellous talent for silence and long suffering. The
people of the Southern States, who have hitber-
to been inclined to regard the followers of
Atchison as champions of their rights, will re.
pudiate them with scorn, and rally to the sup.
port of the Squatters they have so often con-
demnod.
The Administration party in Kansas. con-
scious of these things, have been zealously stri-
wing TO thwart the object of the Committee AL
though 1t has set on an average ten hours day,
the organs OF Pierce have sought to create the
impression that it has been idling away its time.
They next attempted to deny the impartiality of
the examination. General Whitfield said, or is
reported to have said, that he could not bring
ms witnesses to Lawrence, as their lives would
not be safe. The Committee promptly deter
mined hold asession at Lecompton and Tecum-
seh-both of them Pro-Slavery towns. They
went there, but General Whitfield failed to pro-
duce his timid witnesses even there.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-05-22
THE TROUBLES IN KANSAS.

81. Louis, May 19.-Kansas dates of the l4th
instant have been received. Sheriff Jones is
represented as convalescent. Mr.. Brown, edi-
tor Of the Herald Of Freedom, was arrested.
while endeavoring to leave the Territory. Elk.
Governor Reeder had fled, but it was thought
he would be captured. Judge Fame, of Geor-
gia, has been appointed sheriff, until Jones
shall be able to resume his duties. It is said
that fifteen hundred men with Sharpe's rifles
are strongly fortified at Lawrence BY breast
work defended by two pieces of artillery. They
declare that they will resist all attempts at ar
rest. About one thousand men had already
responded to the Marshars proclamation, and
encamped in the vicinity of Lawrence and LIE.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-05-22
VOL. X.

compton. Their avowed purpose is to comneI
the people of Lawrence to acknowledge Tho
Territorial laws.
The correspondence of the Missouri Dsmo.
crdt, copied in preceding column, will inform
the reader of the grounds upon which Ex. G ov.
ernor Reeder refuses to be arrested. The proc.
lamation of the Marshal of the Territory. abovo
referred to, is dated the llth of May, and com.
mands the people en- naasse to appear forthwith
at Lecompton, armed and equipped, of course
Affairs begin to look more threatening tbsn
ever. Here is copy Of the proclamatior
which we happen to have at hand.
Proclamation TO the People Of Kansas Tsrritoy,,
Whereas certain judicial writs of arrest baya
been directed to me by the First District Con-
of the United States, &C., to be executed with
the county of Douglas; and whereas an atter,n.
to execute them by the United States Dannr,r
Marshal was violently resisted by LARGE pnn;.
Der of the citizens of Lawrence, and az tber,
is every reason to believe that any attemn, -
execute these writs will be resisted by larso
body of armed men Now, therefore, the Law,
abiding citizens of the Territory are comnanJ
ed to be and appear at Lecompto as soon n.
practical, and in numbers sufficient far G's
proper execution of the law. Given under mn
hand, this lth day of May, 1856.
|. b. Donaldson,
| Z. s. Marshal for Kansas Tcrr;t,r,,I
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-05-22

EsE- The intelligence from Kansas is calcu-
lated TO arouse the Indignation of the most
phlegmatic. The whole force of the Admins
tration is prosttuted 10 the Infamous work of
enforcing the infamous acts of the sham Legis-
lature imposed on Kansas by Border Ruffian-
ISM" A more atrocious system of "legalized'
persecution was never attempted, even in the
era of the Star Chamber. American citizens
in Kansas must submit to barefaced oppres-
sion, backed up with United States dragons
TO execute it, or throw themselves on the right
of revolution. But one peaceful mode of re-
dress now remains; and that is, to elect a
President, and Congress, which shall undo
the devils work, and visit with swift retribu-
ton the DEVILS agents. If the People of the
Free States are not prepared for this, they
themselves deserve to wear chains, and suffer
the lash of Oppression.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-05-22

ESE-. The speech of Mr.. Sumner, on the
Kansas Question, commenced last Monday, and
concluded the next day, occupying four or FIVE
hours in the delivery, was an extraordinary
effort, even for that accomplished Senator.
The thronged Senate Chamber and galleries
evinced the profound interest taken both in the
subject and orator. We shall commence the
publication of the speech in our next paper.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-05-22
U. S. Marshal for Kansas TeJriioyy ,

THE TESTIMONY OF THE KANSAS Coy,os
SION. - Washington, Nay l9.-The Kapsa.
Commission sent by Governor Robinson /,
large quantity of testimony taken by them, en-.
closing it in sealed package, addressed to the
Speaker Of the House. On Robinson's det4r
ton at Lexington, Mo-, his wife, at his reoues
continued her journey, and she handed the
package to Hon. c. X. Watson, one Of the Com.
mittee of Elections, who to-day delivered it 10
the Speaker privately. The Congressional
Commissioners request it to remain with n,
seal unbroken until their return. This is The
testimony which, it is said, the Mssou,ian,
threatened to destroy.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-05-22
RADICAL DEMOCRACY IN NEW YORK.

The New York Ecening Post contains a long
article, signed by one hundred prominent men
of the Democracy of New York State, protest
ing in strong terms against the perversion OF
the Party to Pro-Slavery purposes, as shown in
the late movements Of the Sohs and Hards. and
announcing their purpose to resist, by the most
strenuous means, the new and base policy. Not
one of the signers is known as having hereto
fore committed himself to the Republican move.
ment.
The Post remarks
THAT the address truly reflects the senti.
ments Of the Radical Democracy of New York,
admits of no question. We understand that nc
Ell brts have been made to procure signatures
thereto, beyond sufficient number to indicate
the prevalent sentiments of this important class
OF electors, and to forewarn the Cincinnati
Convention that, without the adoption of a
creed and candidates whom the Radical De-
mocracy can consistently support, the vote Of
New York will never be given to the nominees
of that body.
Tins 1t does most distinctly, and no one
can rise from the perusal of it, and its impo.
sang iist OF signatures, without a conviction
thai the vote of New York will never again be
given Tor Presidential candidate who is. or
can be converted into, an instrument of Slave.
~ Propagsndisu.'
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-05-22
THURSDAY, MAY %, 1856.
THE NATIONAL ERA FOR THE CAMPAIGN.
Extension of Time

We propose to issue the National Era for the
Campaign, from the lst of May, instant, to the
LIST Of January, inclusive, comprising thirty-six
numbers Of the Era, covering the whole period
of the Presidential canvass, election, and re-
turns, for 81 a copy, in clubs of five or more.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-05-22

IA The reader will miss the accustomed
chapter from our worthy contributor, Bell
Smith. She is always punctusl, but the
pressure of political matter on our columns
is so great that we must lay over part sixth
OF her story till next week.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-05-22

sI Send in your orders for the "Cheap
Document" if you want it. 1t forms very
neat and instructive volume. See terms, &C.,
in our advertising column.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-05-22

sI- We have just received from the Har-
pers, New York, Alison's Europe, and several
other valuable publications, which shall be duly
noticed in our Review.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-05-22

Ma. Buchanan lately paid visit to Wash
ington. Here, as in Baltimore, through which
he passed, he was welcomed by his friends,
and made speeches on the Union, announcing
that we had passed the crisis Of the Slavery
Question, which he considered finally disposed
of by the late Legislation. His case is good
deal nearer finality than that question.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-05-22

MExIcO.-The decree of President Aware
OF last November, abolishing the privileges Of
the Church and military, has been ratified al.
most unanimously by the Congress of Mexico.
1t takes away all civil and criminal Jurisdiction
from military tribunals, and all civil iursdi,
ton from the ecclesiastical courts, leaving onl,
to the clergy cognizance of criminal case.
against priests or other religiosos. This law
crushing to the clerical and military aristocra.
cy, heretofore triable only by their peers in all
cases, both as regards crimes and property.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-05-22

CALIFORNIA AND OREGoY.-Tho Legislature
of California voted to dissolve on the DIST Of
April. So the election for United States Sen,
ator goes over.
Intelligence from Oregon 10 the 9th ultmo,
reports the settlers as still in conflict with the
Indians. The movement for Convention TO
form State Constitution has been voted down
So says the Ore9Onian.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-05-22

BoHN's Picture OF WASHINGTON CITY-Mr
Bonn has kindly presented us a copy of a large
and handsome picture Of Washington city
drawn from nature by Edward Seeboe. The
Capitol stands in the foreground, represented as
completed, and the whole is quite impressive
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-05-22
WASHINGTON, ID. c..

Office, No. sol SeDersth street, between d and z,
one square south Of City Post Office.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-05-22

Hon. J. G. MILLER, member Of Congress
from the 9Th district, Mo-, died at his residence
in that State on the lth Inst.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-05-22
TO ADVERTISERS.

n. q. wIuTsET is authorized canvassng agent for
New York ey and vicinity and will receive and forward
advertisements for The Era a lowest rates
Advertisements bs ieh a MS ofkce No p Spruce
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-05-22

JUSTICE DoNE.-Messrs. Harlan, Penning-
ton, Galloway, Purviance, Giddings, Cumback,
and Bingham, of the House of Representatives,
having lately written to Judge Leavitt, of Gin.
cinnati, inquiring whether Judge Mclean sug
gested, approved, advised, or acquiesced in bis
decision in the case Of Gaines and his slaves,
Judge Leavitt promptly replied in the mega.
tive.
There is another point on which Judge Nc
Lean is at last placed in his true position be-
fore the public, as will appear by the following
correspondence:
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-05-22
l." WASHINGTON, May IL, 1856.

fore the public, as will appear by the following
correspondence:
WASHINGTON, May IL, 1856.
my DEAR SIR: A friend stated to me yes.
terday that he understood you to say that did
not consider that Congress had power, under
the Constitution, TO prohibit Slavery in O Ter
ritory. i never doubted that Congress had this
power, and i could never have expressed any
doubt on the subject.
You may recollect that / have, in CONVEX
sations with you, often said that Congress, hav-
ing the power to establish Territorial Gov
eminent, might, in the exercise of a police
power, prohibit Slavery, although they had no
constitutional power to institute it.
al informed my friend that l was sure he
inexperienced you. l drop this note, that in
the publication of your speech you may correct
any mistake of the stenographer on this sub
ject- Very truly yours, JoHN MCLEAN.
Hon. L. Cass."
"WAsHINGToN, May IL, 1856.
any DEAR SIR: | received your note lust
az l was preparing to resume my speech, and
therefore could not answer you then. Your in
formant is in error. All said was to present
precisely the view | took in 1850.
Il have Just looked it over, and find have
said nothing of your denial of the power. 1t
refers to your opinion that Congress has no
right to control the domestic relations, and in
Produces quotation from your article of l847,
in which you deny the power of Congress to in,
troduce Slavery into the Territories. If can
get proof copy of that part of my remarks
this afternoon, | will send it to you but, / re-
peat, the views have presented of the question
are little more than a repetition of my views
in 1850. am, dear sir, truly yours,
LEWIS CAss.
Hon. John Mclean"
The New York Ecening Post remarks
More gratifying evidence of the growing
popularity of a policy which, though as old as
the Government, has Of late years been under
the ban of the Federal authorities, could hard
ly have been expected, than this frank decara-
ton in its favor, from one of the Oldest men,
bers of the highest Judicial tribunal in the land"
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-05-22


House as welcome as ever; who knows what
might happen to Mr.. Dubois, should he appear
on the stand and testify to the truth A c;t;.
zen of the United States must, of course. run
such risks; but the diplomatic gentlemen at
Washington are, we suppose, of opinion that,
being foreigners and strangers, they have right
to keep themselves out of harms way, by taking
shelter behind their privileges"
What is the use of eternally abusing Wash.
ington, as if it were Golgotha? We are not
set for its special defence, but Heaven knows
there is quite enough sectional feeling growing
out of legitimate causes, without wantonly ex.
asperatingit. We do not know on what grounds
M. Dubois was counselled by his diplomatic
brethren to withhold his testimony, but the hy-
pothesis of the Tribune must proceed on the
assumption that they are fools. We are to be-
lievs, forsooth, that the minister of a FOREIGN
Power cannot appear in a court of Justice
in Washington, and testify the truth, the whole
truth and nothing but the truth, without ex-
posing himself to being cowhided or murdered.
Is the cause of truth advanced, the reputation
of our country maintained, the anti-SIavery
movement promoted, by such abuse as this
What is there in the state of society, or in the
administration of justice, in New York city, to
authorize its press to indulge in such denunci-
alton? Wretched ARRAYS, from time to time.
have disgraeed Its chief hotels, and its famous
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-05-22

"LEAvESwoRrH, Nays.
10 Governor Robinson: II ia believed by
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1856-09-15
ToURNAMEST-A grand Tournament ,ool

ToURNAMEST.-A grand Tournament took
place at Berkely Springs, Va on the Sd instant
The grounds were decorated with pavilions flags,
flowers &c, and there were several hundred spec.
tators present The riding was spirited and high.
ly exciting-the honors of the day were awarded
as follows:
LIST, Magill Turner, knight of Berkeley; I'd,
George II Murphy, Knight Hiawstha; 3D. VIM NJ
Morrison, knight Inv ahoe: 4th, DIR j Delaplane
Knight Rob Roy; johnson Orrick, knight of Nor.
gan.
Queen. Miss Inez Ellis, of Natchez Miss; Is,
Maid of Honor, Miss M Betty Smith, of Clarke
county, Va; I'd Maid of Honor, Miss Mamie Van
doren. of Berkely county, Va; Sd Maid of Honor
Miss Ellen d Wolf of Martinsburg, We, 4th Maid
of Honor, Miss Corinne Miller, of Natchez, Miss.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1856-09-15

LowLY IN HEAhT.-Mr. Folland an actor. who
followed Lola Monies to Australia, was drowned
on his birthday, the 18th of July last, one day.
sail from Honolulu, on the return passage. The
Golden Era says: "The admirers of the divine
Lola Monies will be panied to hear that the death
of Folland, her agent, has nearly unsettled her
reason. Ever since the sad event she has mourn.
ed and refused to be comforted. She says he was
the first and only man she ever loved-which is
quite complimentary to her two husbands-and
w III henceforth cast aside the foolish vanties of
life, and gather jewels which rust not, and gold
which never perisheth."