Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-02-21
Kansas.

Although the Presidents continual recur-
renee to Kansas affairs gives MS sufficient in
formation Of the alarming difficulties in the
Territory, we collect few suggestions from
Other sources The following letter has been
addressed to the governors of the different
States, and by those whose Legislatures are in
session responded to with zeal becoming their
positions as inhabitants of a free C) country.
LAWRENCE CRY, K. T., Jan. 81, 1856.
To his Ercelency the Governor of Ohio
SIR We have authentic information that an
overwhelming force of the citizens of Missouri
are organizing upon our border, amply supplied
with artillery, for the avowed purpose of invad-
ing our Territory, demolishing our towns, and
butcherng eur unofending Free-State citiz ms.
We hope to be able to hold out until assist
ance can reach us. We respectfully request,
on behalf of the citizens of Kansas, that such
steps may be taken by the people of the States
as humanity suggests, to prevent the successful
carrying out of so inhuman an outrage.
Respectfully,
JOHN H. LANE, Chairman Elk. Com. K. T.
G. Robinson, Governor Elect of Kansas.
GEo. DEITzLER, Secretary.
The Boston Journal in commenting upon the
affairs of that territory says:
The Free State men in Lawrence have have
reason and justice upon their side. 1t NAV be
that some of these sturdy champions of the right
are hot-headed fanatics, but we know that the
majorityof the inhabitants of that territory from
the Free States were once New England men
that they are cool, clear-headed men, who have
been nurtured in regard for the laws and for
the duly constituted authorities. We believe
that majority of the Free State men of Kansas
are not even abolitonists, in the true sense of
that word. They had gone out primarily to
conquer home in the wilderness, and they are
determined, as what man would not be who
lives ia Free State, that the home of their
adoption shall not be cursed by the blight of sla-
| very.
In the strife in which they have become nvol-
we'd, they stand upon the broad principle Of self
government, which we boastingly proclaimed to
be the principle upon which their territory was
organized They demand only what the Kansas
bill comedies to them-lhe right of sef.govern-
ment. In word, they refuse to recognize the
laws which were found upon them by invaders
from neighboring State.
They have established government for them.
selves, and ask its recognition by Congress, and
aithouSn tiey may Have Ueen 100 last IN electng
their officers before such recognition yet there
is some justification in the fact that they are
now without law, and require the protection Of
stable government.
We see no means by which the present com.
p'ication Of affairs in Kansas can be unrayeled.
except by the immediate admission of the terri.
tory into the Union under its State government.
Recognize the government which the people of
Kansas have established, and they will take care
of themselves. The territory is rapidly increas
ing in population and resources, and with sta
Bile popular government could readily resist the
inroads of the border fufians. There might
there probably would--be struggle for supre-
+ macy; but justice and freedom would ultimately
triumph. Buff Kansas is not admitted and
with apro-slavery Senate we fear it will not be.
f her future is indeed gloomy. With President
who is committed to sustain the laws of the
squaster Legislature, and who is ready and will
ing TO do the duty work of the slavery propaoan-
dists, what chance is there for the Free Sta,c
men who are struggling to establish the pricple
OF self-government We would look hopefullv
INTO the future, but that future presents nothing
but unconditional submission to the rule of The
f slavery propagandists, or bloodshed and civil
war.