The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-10-14
IRON tbs Independence (Mol Messenger
LETTERS FROM GEN. REID AND GOV.
GEARY.


INDEPENDENCE, Mo-, Sept 30 1856
Mr. EDITOR AS msapprehensions exist concerning
the result of the late expedition against band of
ders who infested the neghborng Territory ask Of you
the publication of the annexed letter perhaps su
cient explanation Of the reasons governing me in my
agency therein.
have not asked of Gov Geary his consent to this pub
lcaon but feel he will have objection that all the
world shall know the honorable motives actuatng both
himself and US in this whole affair.
1t well known that when expedition started its OBJ
ject was TO redress the wrongs Of recent fellow
citizens and brethren then in daily preparation against
them upon the soil Of a Territory where say
the least they had good claim to settle any other peo
pie That this mode of redress only resorted to after
it became apparent that all the ordinary and usual
of relief against wrong had utterly failed and that to the
strong of their friends alone they could look for any
efficient aidwhen the courts and laws had been set at de-
fance and the civil authorities overawed by bold organ
ized and desperate bandi acting upon the pretext of
political sentiment but whose purposes corresponding
with their deeds, rapine, plumber, and murder.
II only under these circumstances when we were
daily and hourly reminded of their atrocious ourage
upon brethren by constant tide Of returning fam
lies stripped of everything and driven from their homes
by these remorseess robbers to find protection within
borders and when the protecting of the government
itself parayzed by the factous of the prompt
of these evil deeds, who for the time dsgraced
orty of the se of house Of Congress- that with one
voice people who witnesses Of these things deter
mined to take into their hands their redress
questioning for moment though grieved at the necessity
that if the law of might to be the law Of Kansas Mis-
souri, had good right to her strength upon
that theatre any adversary who had impudently nva
ded it, panopled for war, from any other quarter.
And this the state of things when in the late exp0
dition Missouri entered the lists to expe in their
from its borders exterminae the murderous band who
desolatng Kansas 1t never was 80 far as know
believe, waged our part against any citizen or
any part the citizens of Kansas for their opinions
account OF their origin.
1t was, believe the intention of any respecta
BILE connected with the expedition to place it upon the
footing of Lanes Browns marauders by any indscrim
mate page persecution of private citizens whatever
shades of opinion they may have held, by etaating
upon harmless people the bad deeds of others 1t
against the organized murderers and their rngeades
wherever found that waged war; and it because
there seemed be other remedy that felt justified
and impelled in our purpose.
The arrival of Governor Geary, with full power and am
pie instructions from the government to do all that we
had thought needful to do not only superseded the
cessy for action but the prompt taken by
him suppress the wrongs complained of and to bring
the wrong-doers to justice took from the justification
we before had for taking redress into hands To
have persisted in this changed state of the first
would have placed in tie very attitude OF
those we condemned, and made liable Lane and
his party the penalties of violating law and deing the
civil authority-law then for the first time in Kansas
asserting its supremacy in the person Of executive who
it apparent has the will and determination maintain
its majesty.
There were some honorable men, know who at the time
controlled by their feelings of indignation for wrongs
med on their friends would have been better satisfied
with the destruction of Lawrence and who chagrned
that this not accomplished when had the power to
do it. 1t may be that of these may in their heat
have attributed results to wrong motives but all SUCH
am satisfied upon reflection will think more justly.
We had the power it Ia true not only have taken Law
and RACED the ground but have ertermnaed
every freesosr from the Territory in three days We
were conscious of this But what credit glory profit
in deeds like these ourselves State 1t not
against defenceess people, in Lawrence that
to Kansas If Lane and his marauders had been in the
town. defending themselves there by the help of its
houses and Notifications and could have taken them
and in doing had destroyed the town. this would have
been excusabe because the incident of legitimate
with men prepared to fight
have no regret that Gov. Geary arrived when he did
and nterposed between and purpose and relieved
us from the necessity of doing exaudciAly that which
can be done SO much eectualy and satisfactorily
the name and by the authority of the awredresng the
wrongs of our fellow-czens and restoring them their
rights in Kansas.
have no doubt with the we had Of the result |
no doubt we should have driven Lane and his band
and all confederate bands from the soil Of Kansas but
not prepared to say would have preferred 1t think
better for the peace Of the country and for the good Of
all that il should be MS II is and hence then thought and
think the arrival Of the governor most opportune
for Kansas and for the whole country In suspendng
strife which had been forced upon in such
as regarding our honor and rights could de
cline t. and which threatened TO involve the whole country
in civil and sectional catastrophe which every
good man who has the relentless and savage spirit
which such will engender will desire to post
poned to a future generation.
For my part although as ultra in my sectional attach
ments as think ought to be- and belonging to party
even more punctlous for the honor and rights of my
State than many think proper needful though
Tossing to some andpahy for Of the ways Of Of
nv northern countrymen and 10 my share Of sectional
prejudice although outraged and indignant at the
duct OF the northern emssares in Kansas towards my
southern friends the conduct Of the northern press in
habiuay sandering and revng people, and Of their
pulpit which breaches perpetual crusade against
sttutons yet constrained to remember still have
there many friends and brothers who have forgotten
or torn asunder the ties of kindred and country and who
at this moment standing in the breach and defending
our cause and will be with heavy heart though hope
firm one that will acknowledge the necessity when II
comes to settle quarrels by bloody arbitrament-at
least willing to do nothing that could be well left
undone to hasten such calamity IT. indeed Il shall be
inevitable that preserve rights, honor
equaty-all dearer than existence itsefwe must meet