The Kansas herald of freedom., 1856-11-01
To The Reader.


reader. in the capacity Of journalist
That six months has been the most
eyentful of any in our existence
eventful not only TO ourself, but to
Kansas, with whose history our journal
has become identified. Arrested by
iighwayn,en. on the Nth of May last,
while pursuing cur way homcward from
Kansas City, and robbed Of a horse, sad
die and bride, with two revolvers and
bowie knife, then detained for several
days against our will at Westport, We
were placed in charge of strong escort,
closely guarded, and after passing
through numberlcs incidents, were taken
to Lecompton. Then, to cover over the
baseness Of the outrage perpetrated in
Missouri and Kansas upon our person,
we we're indicted for high treason, and
held as traitor to our country, and
threatened with death, through four long
months.
During those four months mob, led
by government officials. and protesting
to act in the name of law, entered our
Office, and despoiled it of our entire
Job and newspaper Offices, broke up two
hand presses, and one power press, de-
stfoyei our stock of material which
had just arrived for the season; pillaged
and either torein pieces or carried away
a large and well assorted library. threw
onr private papers into the street, and
closed tkeir barbarous acts by setting
the building ON fire. Other hands cx-
tinguislled the flames ere the work OF
conflagration was completed. and thus,
through the kindness of friends,
but with no thanks to the Yandals
engaged in those outragcs, was
our Office building saved from dcstruc-
lion. But our Office was, by no means
the end of the outrages of those bare
nereeaaries of the federal government
Other buildings were destroyed, other
houses were piliaged, another press was
broken up. From that time, down to
the period of our release, it seemed as
If the demons incarnate were loose
among us. There was no safety to
person or property. Human life was
wholly insecure. All the baser pas
sions of mans nature were unbridled,
and Crime ran riot over the land. But
it is not our purpose to enter into details
The causes of our protractd suspension
are known to every intelligent reader.
In reviying the Herald Of Freedom
we have met with numerous discourage
ments. At first we thought to publish
It in Alton, and commenced making
arrangements to that effect. We had al
Office shipped to that city, as also &
stock of paper; but the feasibility o
the project and the necessity of tht
movement vanished together. We ther
commenced thinking and laboring tt
re-establish ourself in Lawrence. De
lays we little dreamed of have occurred
Difficulties, easily surmounted unde
other circumstances. seemed of noun
tain weight, and almost bore us down
but we have triunlphed over all, ant
appear before our patrons again greatly
improved, and, we trust, in a satisfac
tory form. The clouds of yesterday
have given place to the bright sunshin'
of to-day. Hope has entwined its gar
land flowers around our pathway, ant
our future is obscured by no darkenine
cloud. We can well say
"The erea;ng was dark, butthe NoRSlsG is fair
Those friends who have cheered u
with material aid ;" who have step
ped into the breach when all seemet
lost: who have wrested from Borde
Ruffians their power to harm, are entitlet
to the thanks of the friends of fire.
press the thanks of our patrons tn
everlasting gratitude Of ourself AM
family, for their self-sacriiicing generos
ify, extended to us in our hour of gloom
While recollection holds sway thei
names, and the aid they have rendered
will be treasured as Of inestimabl
worth.
In marking ont for the Herald Q
Freedom, its new work, we find no in
ciination or necessity for changing it
course. Independent AND fearless i
shall pursue its way, regardless of tn
dictatioD of professed friends, or tn
anathemas of its undisgaised enemies
Whether it leads to fortune OF tn
seaffold we are bound to publish
Journal which shall be a terror t,
tyrants, and the s,rora foe Of deRsa
gogses. Wrong shah not go unrebuke'
because it is clothed with power, no
shah iasoleaee escape censure because
shrinks behind kigh-souadiag titles.
We feel confident the Herald o
freedom viii be a welcome visitan
In every family it is allowed to enter
We mean it shall be truthful, and Jus
the paper intelligent freemen viii nee,
TO advise them of events as they trans
pire at the center of this mighty nation
Ia view of our past losses, we III
gently selicit the aid Of every reader {
our journal--of every friend of ii
right, TO laborwith energy in swellin
our subscription list: thus enabling ,
to go On again without embarrassmcn
Tbs cause IS worthy an effort. II
paper. we trust, viii be worthy of pa
ronage. Reader, may We not expe