The Kansas herald of freedom., 1856-01-12
The Kansas Rebellion,

: late difficulties in Kansas, and as many
conflicting reports h9ye gone forth. We
J propose to give brief statement of the
! matter, its origin, extent and settlement
/ The public have learned from the
publication of Laughlin, that an armed
organization of abolitionists existed in
Kansas, the avowed object of which was
to resist the execution of the laws enact.
ed by the Territorial Legislature; to ex-
Ipel pro-slayery men from the Territory
and to make it "a Free State. Arms and
money for the purpose were supplied by
| the Emigrant Aid Society in the East.
i The armes consisted of Sharp's rifles
/ with minnie balls and Colts Navy Re
Volvers. Rumor says artillery was to
be furnished, aud that one or more Can
/ non were actually reeeived-of this last
Istatment we have our doubts. The abo-
litionists in their public meetings, under
the lead of Reeder, Lane and others,
proclaimed their determination to resist
| the execution of the laws, and at length
under the impression that they were
strong enough to contend successfully,
commenced by burning several houses
occupied by pro-slyery men. in Douglas
county. Among others they burned the
house of Coleman and turned his family
out. Coleman who had gone for arms
to defend himself, on his return, finding
his house burned was met by one of the
Iincendiaries armed with Sharp's rife
aud revolver The latter attempted to
fire but his gun missed FIRE, and Cole
man killed him.
/ Coleman Immediately surrendered
himself to Jones the Sheriff, and also
made affidavit for the Arrest of another
abolitionist who had followed and sought
to kill him. Jones arrested the aboli-
zionist, and while taking him to Le-
compton, called at the house of the abo-
litionist to inform his family of the oc-
laurence. He was thus separated from
his prisoner few moments having
left him in custody of guard of some
six men. This was about midnight and
very dark. On separating from the
prisoner about forty armed abolitionists
rushed out and surrounded the prisoner.
Jones finding that he was SO greatly
outnumbered and not willing to risk the
lives of his men was forced to abandon
his prisoner. The rescued man was
taken to Lawrence and threats were made
by the abolitionistS there that they would
take and hang both Jones and Coleman.
There not being in Douglas county
sufficient force to enable Jones to put
down the abolitionists, he called on the
Governor for aid, to assist in arresting all
who had been engaged in the house
bHsning, the rescue DC.
The abolitionists relying on their
arms and military organization, and
knowing the difficulty of assembling
pro-slavery men from settlements SO
sparse and remote from each other, were
very impudent and boastful.
| Their agents were out in every direc-
ton calling in their forces. On one of
them, arrested at Doniphan, were found
papers containing the constitution, by
laws, passwords &C., of the Kansas
Legion precisely as stated by Laughlin.
| The numbers assembled in Lawrence
were yariously estimated, but we are sat
listed that they at no time exceeded 400
men. In. less than four days from the
Governors proclamation, the pro-slavery
men, the real law abiding men, began to
assemble at Wakarusa, below, and Le-
compton, above, Lawrence. In less than
a week from the proclamation of tie
Governor, 1900 well armed men, with
six or seven cannon, were around Law
rencei No abolitionist dared show him
self outside OF the town! the few who
ventured out travelled by night, and bat
few Of them escaped. Although there
was burning and feverish desire on the
part of the pro-slavery men to hang the
leaders and drive the last one of the mis-
erable wretches back to their dens in
New England, they determined to re-
strain theirpersonal feelings while eaforc-
ing obedience to the laws. They hoped
the abolitionists would stand to their
threats, and would thus give justifca-
tion for blotting them out. Not only
Gov. Shannon. Gen. Richardson, the
officers, but the men felt that if one
blow was struck, the end would be the
summary execution of every abolitionist
in the Territory. The abolitionists were
not slow to discover their condition, and
were ready to submit to any demands
made by the Governor
| Their leaders at once declared that
Though they believed the acts of the
Legislature invalid, until so decided by
courts, they would not only submit TO,
but will aid in enforcing them, and Wo'd
assist the Sheriff in arresting any per-
son charged with their violation. Gov.
iShannon was NOT willing to take the
word of Lane and others, their leaders,
| but required evidence Of their submis-
sion which would justify him before the
public. They then proposed that they
would subscribe written declaration of
! THEIR submission to the laws, and of their
ipiedge to sustain and aid the sheriff m
their execution, and would obtain the
! signature of every man in Lswrence.
/ This they proceeded at once TO give,
land the sheriff Immediately went into
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