The Kansas herald of freedom., 1856-02-23

original right, inherent in every commu-
nifty, to provide for its own safety and
good order, they proceeded in regular
convention to appoint day and pre-
scribe the manner of electing delegate
to Congress, and to provide for holding
a Convention to frame a Constitution,
preparatory to application for admission
into the Union as State.
On the 9Th of October last, the day
designated for the election of a delegate
to Congress, Andrew IL. Reeder was
chosen TO that Office; and on the 23d of
the same month State Constitution was
promulgated by the Convention elected
for that purpose. On the 18th of De-
cember this State Constitution was rati-
fed by the people, and on the 18th of
January, just past, an election was held
for State officers and members for the
State Legislature. The Governor and
Secretary, whose signatures are affixed
to the appeal herewith transmitted. were
chosen at this election.
While these things were in progress,
the Territory was again invaded, early
in December, by armed bands from
Missouri, now called into action by an
extraordinary proclamation from Wilson
Shannon, who had been appointed Gov
ernor of the Territory in place of his
removed predecessor. The town of
Lawrence was actually beleagured, and
its destruction fercely threatened. The
people of the Territory rallied to its de-
fence, and, for many days, civil war was
imminent. At length, however, the
Governor became sensible of the error
he had committed, and succeeded in in
ducing the invaders TO retire.
Their presence had been marked by
outrage, rapine and murder. Their with
drawal was reluctant and angry. 1t in-
dicated remission of hostilities, not a
peace.
Hence it is not surprising that The cleo
ton of State officers under the new Con-
stitution, on the 18th of January, was
made the occasion of fresh hostilities.-
The Territory was again invaded, and
an actual rencontre took place between
the invaders and the settlers. Sometime
after its termination, respected citizen,
an emigrant from Kentucky, of the name
of Brown. who had been engaged in it
upon the Free State side, was seized and
inhumanly murdered by the opposite
party.
The communication which | transmit,
expresses strong apprehension that pre-
parations are now making for new in
vasion with greater numbers, and more
ample provision of implements of de-
struction than any which has preceded
it. Information from other sources con-
firms the opinion that these apprehen-
sions are not groundless.
1t is impossible to contemplate these
things without deep feeling. They are
the legitimate fruits of the repeal of the
Missouri Prohibition. 1t may not at
present be possible to re-establish
that prohibition. 1t is, perhaps, not
possible that Congress, as at present
constituted, will consent to the admission
of Kansas into the Union. under her
Free State Constitution. The General
Assembly of Ohio has, perhaps, nc
Legislative power to redress the wrongs
of the people of the Territory. But still
something, not unimportant, may be
done. The General Assembly can ex-
press the sense of the people of Ohio, in
resolutions addressed to their Senators
and Representatives in Congress. They
can recommend the admission of Kansas
as Free State; the enactment of sHit-
able law securing the freedom of elec-
tions in case the territorial government
be not superseded; and what, perhaps
is of more importance still, the prompt
admission of the Delegate of the people
to seat in Congress, that he may have
the most favorable opportunity of gain
ing the attention of the National Legis-
lature to their wants and their wrongs
The General Assembly may, also, by
suitable resolutions, commend the peo.
pie of Kansas to the warm sympathies
and liberal contributions of their constit,
uents. They will.not, l am sure, invoke
the prompt action of the people in vain.
Having thus performed what seemed
to me to be my duty, in transmitting to
YOU the communication of the popular
authorities IN Kansas, with such observa.
tons as the occasion appeared to de.
mand, | cheerfully submit the whole
matter to the superior wisdom of the
General Assembly. s. P. CHASE.
LAWRENCE. K. T., Jan. 21st, '56.
To his ExcELLEScY THE GovERNoR OF
0HIo-SIR:-We have authentic infor.
nation that an overwhelming force of the
citizens of Missouri are organizing upon
our border. amply supplied with artille-
y. for the avowed purpose of invading
our MISUNDERSTANDING our towns,
and butehering our unotfending Free
State citizens.