The Kansas herald of freedom., 1856-04-12
Speech of Hon. W. 8. Damrell, of Ma.


Below we give some extracts from
! this gentleman's speech, on the Kansas
contested election case, delivered in the
House of Representatives, March 18Th:
Mr.. SPEAKER: After this lengthy de-
bate, it must be apparent to every MEM
Der of the House that there has been
fraud and foreign interference in the
elections in the Territory of Kansas. We
desire information on that subject. We
want to know the facts in the case. We
have right to know them. Who are
they that refuse us this privilege? The
friends of the Administration. They
are the ones who are sinking. They
wish to cover up these frauds, and pre-
vent the people of this nation from be-
coming acquainted with the facts in re-
lation to these outrageous proceeding
We have right to this information, and
We will have it. That is the reason why
We are stoutly contendins for the privi
lege of sending for persons and papers.
| care not how we get at the information,
SO that We do get it in full. If there
have been no outrages there, the friends
of the Administration will not be injur
ed; if there have been, the friends of
freedom will be righted.
The gentleman who last spoke, Mr..
LAKE has taunted these emf grant set
tiers Tor their want of energy, as craven
towards, because they did not drive off
the armed band that came to the polls,
with banners waving and drumbs beat
ing. What energy would he have them
manifest, to merit his appreciation as
brave men? They were few in number
and unarmed, for they did not so there
to fight. but to plow, and SOW, and reap,
and build houses; in short, to make Kan
sas a pleasant dwelling place. And
Sharpe's rifles were not heard of there
until the Border Ruffians interfered with
the elections and overpowered them with
an armed force, who went over for the
express purpose of carrying the election
against them. We think they were wise
men to wait for reinforcementS, arms and
ammunition.
Gentlemen ought not to express sur
prise that, under the circumstances, the
settlers from New England were anxious
to procure Sharpe's rifles, or their friends
at home were prompt in furnishing them.
1t was suggested by a gentleman on
the other side of the House, this after
noon, that before Massachusetts, philan-
thropistS pour out their treasures SO free
ly to send men, arms, and ammunition
TO Kansas, they had better provide for
their own starving population. tell the
gentleman that while Massachusetts sup
ports liberal portion of the paupers and
criminals of Europe, she makes ample
provisions for her own unfortunate poor,
and has some funds to contribute for the
defense Of the constitutional rights of her
noble sons against the attacks of the bor-
der ruffians.
1t is enough for the men of Massachu-
sets to know that their fellow citizens,
who have gone to that distant Territory
with honorable purposes. have had their
poll ical rights invaded, their printing
presses and types destroyed, and their
lives taken in cold blood, to arouse them
TO meet promptly any demands made
upon them by the survivors, even for
arms and ammunition, if needed in SO ho
| ly cause as self-defense. And they
would not stop to ask permission of this
House, of Missouri, or of the country, to
contribute to their necessities.
In answer to the speech of Mr. OH
YER, of Mo-:
"The people of Missouri were indig-
nant at so gross an interference with the
affairs of Kansas An interference pre-
judicial to the interests of Missouri
Who made Missouri Tie guardian Of
Kansas Territoryg admit it was pre-
judicial to the petultor institutions of Mis-
souri,, but not to her true interests. to
settle Kansas with freemen. But where
is the constitutional power to prevent it?
Northern emigrants have never been sent
to the Territory to interfere directly with
slavery in Missouri, but to establish free
dom in Kansas. Has not Massachusetts,
the same right 10 carry free institutions
into free territory that Missouri has to
establish in it her peculiar institutions?
Must every foot of land that borders on
slave territory be overshadowed by its
deadly upas? No! in Gods name. no!
not if by auy lawful means it can be
avoided. "The Missourians were de-
iermined they would not stand quietly by
and behold thisintorference." We would
inform the gentleman, the House, and
the country, that the North, too, are de-
termiaed ed-determined toSsend into Kan
sas her best men, with strong arms and
brave hearts, who viii fearlessly rally
round the standard of freedom and de-,
fend their legal and constitutional rights.
trust the gentleman. when next he adj
dresses the House on this subject. will
inform US what is to be done TO prevent
the emigration of men from the North TO
Kansas, even though they should contin-
us to be guarded against swindling rail-
road agents, and assisted TO the lowest
iares, and have hotels and saw wniils built
for their accommodation by the emigrant
aid society? We do not ask of nissou-
ri permission to enter this new Territory.
j The gentlemen says his people have
been denounced as "Border Ruffians. -
and that. to determine the correctness of
what is intended IS an opprobrious epi-
thet. You have but TO go through that
! part of the State to behold. the wide
j Snread fields. churches of every dehomi-