Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1856-02-15

and prescribe the manner of electing del
egate to Congress, and to provide for hold
ing a convention to frame a Constitution,
preparatory to application for admission in
to the Union as State. E
On the 9th of October last, the day des-
ignated for the election of delegate to
Congress, Andrew H. Reeder was chosen to
that office; and on the Esd of that month
State Constitution was promulgated by
the convention elected for that purpose.--
On the 18th of December, this State Con
stitution was ratified by the people, and on
the 18th Of January, just passed, an election
was held for State officers and members Of
the State Legislature. The Governor and
Secretary, whose signatures are affixed to
the appeal herewith transmitted, were chos-
en- at this election.
While these things were in progress the
Territory was again invaded, early in De-
cember, by armed bandsfrom Missouri, now
called into action by an extraordinary proc
lamation from Wilson Shannon. who had
been appointed Governor of tho Territory in
place of his removed predecessor. The
town of Lawrence was actually beleaguered,
and It's destruction fiercely threatened. The
people of the Territory rallied to its defence,
and, for many days, evil war was imminent.
At length, however, the Governor became
sensible of the error he had committed, and
succeeded in inducing the invaders to re-
tire. l
Their presence had been marked by out
rage, rapine and murder. Their withdraw
al was angry and reluctant. 1t indicated a
remission of hostilities, not peace.
Hence it is not surprising that the cleo
tion of State officers under the new Consti-
tuition, on the 18th of January, was made
the occasion of further hostilities. The
Territory was again invaded, and an actual
recounter took place between the invaders
and settlers. Sometime after its termina-
ton, 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 I transmit,
expresses strong apprehension that prepa-
rations are now making for new invasion
with greater numbers, and more ample
provisions of implements of destruction than
any which has preceded it. Information
from other sources confirms the opinion that
this apprehension is not groundleSs.
1t is impossible to contemplate these
things without deep feeling. They are the
legitimate fruits of the repeal of the Missou-
ri Prohibition. 1t may not be possible at
present to re-establish that prohibition. It
is, perhaps, not probable 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, no legisla-
tive power to redress the wrongs of the peo-
pie ofthe Territory; but still something, not
unimportant; may be done. The General
Assembly can express the sense of the peo-
pie of Ohio, in Resolutions addressed to their
Senators and Representatives in Congress.
They can recommend the admission of
Kansas as a Free State: the enactment of
a suitable law securing freedom of elections
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 Con
gress, that he may have the most favorable
of gaining the attention of the
National Legislature to their wants and
their wrongs. The General Assembly may
also, by suitable resolutions, commend the
cause of Kansas to the warm sympathies
and liberal contributions of their constitu-
ents. They viii not, am sure, invoke the
prompt action of the people in vain.
Having thus performed what to me seem
ed to me to be my duty, in transmitting to
you the communication of the popular au-
thorities in Kansas, with such observations
as the occasion appeared to demand, L cheer
fully submit the whole matter to the supe-
rior wisdom of the General Assembly.
S. P. CHASE.