The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-09-04
OF this principle, and be found suggestive of
other things:
FRIENDS IN KANSAS.

The Philadelphia Friends Rerie,o, of the
23d ult., contains letter from our friend,
Richard Mendenhall, dated at Crescent Hill,
near Ossawatemie, Kansas, 9th of 7th month.
Alter stating that there are now some twenty
families of the Society of Friends scattered
over the Territory, whose situation, owing to
the actual state of war between the Free State
settlers and the ruffian invaders from Missouri,
Georgia, and South Carolina, may we'll be sup
posed one of great trial and difficulty the writer
says:
Under the present excited and unsettled
state of things in Kansas, it is not likely that
other Friends will soon join us by immigration,
and we do not feel at liberty to leave the Ter
ritory, critical as the state of things around US
may seem to be. Under the gross outrages
and grievous wrongs which are imposed upon
the people OF Kansas, it requires close exercise
OF faith for a man of peace to maintain his
principles. 1t is not In human nature to main
tain the right kind of feelings towards the wick
ed perpetrators OF the wrongs we suffer. 1t is
only by close exercise of Christian faith that
this can be done; and supposing one to have
gained the victory over wrong in his own
breast, his work is but half accomplished. If
defensive warfare could be justified in any
case, it would seem to be so in the present
one; and while the people in Kansas, general
ly, are preparing for defence, and calling upon
all to do the same, the advocates of peace can
but feel themselves placed in a trying position,
not knowing at what hour they may be called
upon to test their faith in the principles of
peace. We know not but that we may be re-
CURED to seal our testimonies with our blood.
Some of our number have been threatened
with violence, but, so far as we are certainly
informed, none has yet been offered, though it
is rumored that one Friend in distant part
has been shot, but not MORALLY wounded"
The Friends in Kansas, while strongly SYM
pathizing with their Free State neighbors, and
sharing in their privations, sacrifices, and dan.
ger, cannot join them in resort to arms, for
selfdefence. They can only abide the conse.
quences of a faithful adherence to their princi-
Piles, and wait patiently for
"The victory, OF Endurance bornn
resolute noncompliance with the atrocious
laws of the Shawnee Mission Legislature, a
firm maintenance of their testimony against
Slavery, and such exertions to ameliorate the
horrors of the strife in which their neghbors
are involved, as Christian charity and love may
dictate, may expose them to insult, persecution,
and outrage; but we fervently trust that they
may be enabled, through Divine assistance, to
remain where their lot has been providentially
cast, prepared to suffer, even unto death, rather
than dishonor their profession. They will thus
offer another salutary example of the power
and efficacy of passive resistance to evil-the
martyrs unresistable might of meekness.
There is, beyond doubt, at this time great
amount of restitution and suffering among the
Kansas emigrants, growing out of the harass-
ing Pro-Slavery invasons to which they have
been subjected and, as many have been de-
tered from making contributions to the relief
fund, through fears of its application to pur.
poses of military defence or preparation, it has
occurred to US that, by means of these Friends
in Kansas, a safe channel might be opened for
the judicious distribution of pecuniary aid in
the Territory. We have no doubt the Friends
alluded to would cheerfully undertake, and
faithfully discharge, the duties of almoners of
the free-will offerings of all who sympathize
with them in their trying and painful position.
j. G. w.