The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-07-18

1 IN tne unohSos suV AotfttoIy. hVcfy Hos'
ment Of whatever character which tende
| 70 establish free Institutions, was rcgarde
as an interference with their rights.
Within few days alter the organic Ia,
passed, and as soon as its passage could B
known on the border, leading citizens {
Missouri crossed into the Territory, hel
Squatter meetings and then returned I
their homes. Among their resolutions ar
the following %
"That we will afford protection to no Al
olitionist as settler Of this Territory"
"That we recognize the institution Q
Slavery as already existing in this Territory
and advise shareholders to introduce thei
property as early as possible"
Similar resolutions were passed in variou
parts Of the Territory, and by meetings i
several counties OF Missouri. Thus the firs
effsc. of the repeal Of the restriction agains
Slavery was - substitute the resolves Q
squatter meetings, composed almost exclu
siycly of citizens Of single State. for tn
deliberate action Of Congress, acquicsced In
for thirte-fve years.
This unlawful interference has been con
tinued in every important event In the his
tory Of the Territory; er1y election hai
been controlled not by the actual settlers
but by citizens of Missouri, and rs conse
quence every officer in the Territory, from
constables to legislators, except those ap.
pointed by the President, owe their posi-
tions to nonresident voters. None have
been elected by the settlers, and your Com
mittee have been unable to find that any
political power whatever, however unim'
portant, has been exercised by the people ol
the Territory.
In October, A. d., 1854, Gov. A. II,
Reeder and the other officers appointed by
the President arrived in the Territory. Set.
tiers from all parts Of the country were
moving in, in great numbers, making their
claims and building their cabins. About
the same time, and before any election was
or could be held in the Territory, a secret
political society was formed in the State OF
Missouri. 1t was known by different
names, such as Social Band" Friends
Society" ""Bluc Lodge" "The Sons Of the
SOUTH Its members were bound together
by secret oaths, and they had passwords,
signs, and grips by which they were known
to each other. Penalties were imposed for
violating the rules and secrets Of the Order.
Written minutes were kept Of the proceed
ings OF the Lodges, and the different Lodges
were connected together by an effective or
ganiza,ion. 1t embraced great numbers OF
the citizens of Missouri. and was extended
into other Slave States and into the Terrific
ry. Its avowcd purpose was not only to
extend Slavery into Kansas, but also into
other territory of the United States and to
form union of oil the friends Of that in.
stitution. Its plan Of operating was to or
ganize and send men to vote ut the elections
in the Territory, to collect money to pay
their expenses, and if necessary to protect
them in voting. 1t also proposed to induc'
Pro-slayery men to emigrate into tho Ter
ritory, to aid and sustain them while there,
and to elect none TO Office but those friendly
to their views. This dangerous society was
controlled by men who ayowed their pur-
pose TO extend Slavery into the Territory nj
all hazards, and was altogether tho most
effective instrument in organizing the subsc-
quent armed invasions and forays. In it,
Lodges in Missouri the affairs Of Kansi'
were discussed, the force necessary to con.
troll the elections were divided into hands,
and leaders selected, me rs vera. collected
aud signs and badges were agreed upon
While the great body Of the actual settlers
of the Territory were relying upon the right.
secured to thew by the organic law, and
had formed no organization or combination
whatever, even ofa party character, this
conspiracy against their rights was gather
ing strength in a neighboring State, and
would have been sufficient at their first cleo
tion to have overpoweied them, II they had
been united to man.
FIRST MISSOURI INVASION.
The first election was for q Delegate "a
Congress. Ii was appointed for the Goth OF
November, 1856. The Governor divided the
Territory into Seventeen Elections Districts,
appointed Judges, and prescribed proper
ru,es for the election. In the lst, 3D., 9Th,
9th, 10th, 10Th, 18th and 18th Districts
there appears to have been but little If any
fraudulent voting.
This election was held for the choice Of a
delegate to Congress, only to serve the short
time of the last Congress.
The committee say in relation to thi'
election.
The following abstract exhibits the Who'll,
number of votes ut this election for eacl
candidate the number jf legal and illega
votes east, and the number Of legal voters
in February 70 lowing:
ABSTRACT OF CENSUS, AND ELECTION OF nov