Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-09-04
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
Kansas and Freedom.

To TIE Editor Of the Belmont Chronicle: .
A meeting of the friends of Freedom and
Fremont was held in Hunter, on Thursday,
2sth August, as previously announced
There was copious turn out. Friends of
Buck and Breck and Fill. and Don. were
present; and there was mingled with the
crowd wives and mothers, with their pratt
tling infants-buds of our country's future
hope, and fuir-haire9 daughters-roses of
affection, hoping, no doubt, soon to be en-
braced by the congenial sons of Freedom; all
seemingly fraught with the political inter-
ests of the day; and from many countenances
seemed to be beaming the glad ray of hope
that the dark, unhallowed pail of Slavery
would not be permitted to cast lis blighting
shadow over the congenial soil of Kansas
and neighboring Territories. And not ab-
sent were few of the sons of Africa, whose
eyes sparkled with the hope, no doubt, that
the day is not far distant in which they
may be thought of as beings created by God
to fill higher, nober sphere, than that of
brutes, TO be bartered sold, and "lashed into
obedience" by the unmerciful torture of the
wretched slave-master. Speeches were
made by Judge Cowen and D D. [. Cowen,
Esq, in which were nobly painted out the
principles of the Republican party, in con-
trast with the Democratic and American
parties. There being no house Except the
church) suitable for the purpose, the grove
Goods first temple"-was chosen as the
most appropriate place. The most profound
attention and the best of order was PEE
served throughout the meeting. The Bel
mont Band was on hand to cheer up the
heart-failing ones of Buck and Fill, who
must have felt ere the speakers closed that
they had the wrong end of the tail.
Dear reader, this is period of untold in
terest, in which must be decided the future
lot of our nation. Two months more and
the day will have rolled around on which
must be decided, and that by our Uotes,
whether we will be "lashed into obedience"
by the blood-thirsty slaveocracy, or rise tri-
umphant on the wings of Freedom and soar
abroad over the occidental Territories of
our Contine mt, and there plant the germ Of
Freedom-that will grow, bud, blossom and
lead the fruit of nations glory and ma
tion's pride.
Three months ago stood On advocate of
the Democratic party. But it was because
had not properly investigated the princi-
Piles upon which that party is based-if they
can be called principles, unsound ones,
think-in relation with the governmental
affairs of our country, and especially of Kan
sas Territory. But proper investigation
soon convinced me that it is not the true
Democracy, tina. it Is the name without the
hanimal; the shadow without the substance;
the frock without the child. And now, in
the behalf of an oppressed race, bleeding
Kansas, and nation blighted by the curse
of Slavery, come out boldly advocating the
cause of the Republican party, and sup
porter of Col. JOHN C.. FREMONT and VIM.
L. DAYTON. | have ever been an enemy to
Slavery, and therefore know how TO sympa-
thize with those pitiable individuals in our
midst who have been so ublucky as to inhale
the stagnant atmosphere that has arisen from
the unhallowed deeds committed on peace
able and harmless emigrants to Kansas, by
the Border-Ruffians of Missouri; which at
mosphere has seemingly diminished or i'm
paired their moral sensibilities; developed
their combative and destructive faculties
deprived them Of sense, reason and right
and made them to say it is all the fault OF
the Free States, those troubles in Kansas;
that we have no right to interfere in the
matter; and that if they were in Kansas
they OouLd fight for Slavery. How much
Like noble sons by noble sires begat"
are THESE, our neighborS!
The bright day Of Freedom is dawning
and may God speed it onward. New &C
cessions are daily being made to the Re-
publican party; daily the people become
more and more convinced of the curses OF
Slavery, and of the fact that
Freedom is law divine,
Embodied in every created thing:
And that they arIl not under oppression repne,
And bear its awful sting"
Who that has any feeling Of humanity, or
interest in the future success and happiness
OF our Union. would be found among that
number who are laboring to extend the
blightirg curses of Slavery over the virgin
soil of Kansas! am satisfied that if every
young man-who has not lost reason and
sense-whether he expects to make his
home in the West or not, would properly
investigate the vital question, Shall Kansas
be free! that an unanimous shout would 60
up in the affirmative; and an unanimous
vote be cast en- next November for that
heroic gallant who has mastered science
faced the perilous storms of the Rocky
Mountains--planted the Flag of Liberty in
California-and on the 4th of March next
will turn new leaf in the history of our
nation.
In behalf of Col. John c. Fremont and
our Unions best interests, am
JOHN G.. BERRY.
LAMPsvILLE, Ohio.