Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1856-05-29
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We copy from the New York Times and Tribune,
the two great organs of the abolition faction, several
articles which they have written themselves or CO.
pied from congcnal prints relating to the affairs of
Kansas We choose to copy from these sources that
our readers may know the strongest arguments that
can be urged against the Southern side of the ques
ton.
We gather from these papers that the abolition
gang have been beaten at their own game. They
the first to resort to force; they were the first
to resort to egrant aid societies." to expedents of
raising money and men, and arming them with
Sharpos rifles, in order to control the destinies Of
Kansas But through excessive stingineSs cowa--
dice, want of orethought, or all combined, they
have failed in their schemes, and now they make the
welkin ring with their bowls at the wrongs they have
sustained Some OF these articles admit that large
supplies of arms had been sent from the North to
Kansas but many of them seized on the way
by BORDER Rufians"-others were scattered through
the territory by Encouragement, and not enough
could be found in Lawrence TO arm $50 men, Others
concedc that men also had been sent forward; but
they too were missing at the critical moment. They
wisely concluded that valor was the better part Of
discretion, and withdrew in time from the scene Of
danger to the quiet walks Of Nebraska Their lea
dcrs had set them the prudent example. The he
roes Reeder, Robinson Brown Co, fled ingloriou>
~ from the field before the first gun was fired, and
either in hiding or in prison. Some Of the
papers again appealing to the North to send more
men, more money and more Sharpcs rifles, TO regain
the ground that has been lost by cowardice or folly
As this may be the beginning of contest which
NAV endure longer than the Pooponesian war, ami
may be attended with consequences equally impor-
tant it may be amiSs to define exactly the issue
in controversy. This may be done in few words,
and We shall attempt it with strict regard to truth.
The Territorial Government of Kansas was autho-
rzed by act Of Congress- all other Territorial Go
yernmentS have been The Government organ
lied in virtue Of that act Reeder appointed
Governor. lie entered upon the discharge Of the
duties of the office in pursuance of the act of Con
gresS, Territorial Legislature was elected. The
Governor at first recognized this the legally elect
eel Legislature OF the Territory. Subsequently,, hc
disnvowed it., on the ground-a mere quibble-that
il required to hold itS sessions at Il particular
place-at which it could obtain no accommodations
and from which it consequently adjourned to an
other neghboring hutdom, where the means of sub
sistence could be had The Secretary Of the Terrific
~, the judges and other officers of the Territory,
appointed by the same authority under which Rec
der held his commission, recognized the Legislature,
which accordingly proceeded pass such laws they
deemed cXpedient for the welfare of the Territory
Reeder continued refractory, removed, and
Shannon appointed in his place lie recognized the
Legislature -operated with il, and the work of
legislation proceeded.
In the meantime Reeder and the defeated party
refused to acknowledge the established government,
pretending that il the creature not of the peo-
pie of Kansas but of citizens of Missouri. OF this
charge they have never adduced any proof in con-
tirmation They therefore took it upon themselves
10 set up another government in opposition to that
which had been established Inder the act Of Con
greSs. They elected Governor-Robinson now il.
durance vilc-caugh; flying from the storm Of hi
own brewng-they also elected Legslature-elec-
ted Recdcr to CongreSS-and held Convention
which adopted constitution preparatory to adEii
sion as State for which application has been mad,
10 Congress. These men, who call themselves Pre-
State men, repudiate the authority of the REGULAR
constituted officers of the TerritOry-they refuse
obey this law, passed by the only Legislature kno,
To the Constituton-that elected in pursuance Of L..
act Of Congress, and recognized by the Goyernortl
pointed by the Presdent-and they refuse to pa,
the taxes imposed 10y that Legislature. 1t is the
refusal to obey these laws and the effort Of the au-
thorities To enforce them which has brought about
the eXistin; crisis.
OF course, the conduct Of these "Free- Stdte mei"
is revolutionary. They are acting without sha
ow Of prctence to legal authority-they repud.ste
the legally constituted powers--defy their laws aud
set up an opposing government. They are, to all
intcuts and purposes guilty Of rebellion and treason
10. IA, ..rtt
this point-although too clear for CONFERENCE.-THE
are glad to have the sanction Of calm, conservative
paper Of the North-,he ~ Y. COmmereiaI .diser.
tiser. That paper says:
'ln few words it might be shown that if the "T,e.
State legislature or any Of the Free state ofcer, -
called hdse dssOed 10 cJercise The functions ofau bl,
cHi,e ILa'H'Hrdiiss and L,giafss boiy betore C,n-
gTe' hd' af"t'd ha'd' as State, they virtual,
guilty 81 treason, aud should be punished accordingly
The question at issue i simply OF fact aud 30 abuse If
Judge LecOmpt the territorial authorities all hind
rejecting men 10 this. the real issue"
We have made this statement Of facts that We may
know exactly where the right lies. and delibcratcl,
determine to what lengths we are willing ~ 20 to
maintain IT, The South submitted whatever right.
It had IN Kansas to the decision Of the baot.box.
II won. Another aud another trial followed with
the same result Our pretensions are sustained by
the uniform usage Of the gOyernment-by the ,luly
constituted authorities Of tho rcrritory-by the
laws enacted by those authorities and by a majority
Of the people, shown by three several elections
The question arises, shall insist on outright, ani
demand rigid enforcement Of the law-be the con
sequences what they may or shall We, alter WIN
ming 40 thc baotboX, abandon what we have won.
and all our rights IN the common property Of ti,.
mon, at the dicauon Of baud Of desperate fans
ties who seek to substitute force Or right aud reason
For one, we prefer u meet the issue at once. an,
to stake everything upon the result The South ha
been going down ml ever since the establishment O
the present government Before the Revolution. vi
had ships aud commerce. aud were the pride Of tn
new world but since We went into close partner
ship With the Yankee we have been swindlcd out d
nearly every thiug we had. We were content 10 ei
durc thc lcccug 80 long as Il was carried on wit
some regard To dcccucy, aud while the North WIZ ii
the habit Of sending gentlemen 10 Washinetop Bu
now, th, breed Of gentlemen is extinct IN NsN Eug
land -'r Il some noble scous still cxis'. ticy ~
powcrc,s anil ia retirement, and blackrutrds an
canung hypochtes occupy their places This rci
dcrs th. partnership di>agrccable a. It has Away