Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1856-06-17

", the friends of Freedom there became more
fixed nther resolves to stay and fight the battle,
which they had never sought, but from which
they disdained to retreati while the friends Of
Freedom elsewhere were more arousedto the du-
~ Of timely snocors, BY men and munitions of
just self defence.
But, while defeated in the first two processes
proposed the conspirators succeeded in the last
By the violence already portrayed atthe election |
of the 30th March, when the polls were occupied
by the armed hordes from Missouri, they imposed
a Legislature upon the Territory, and thus. un-
der the iron mask of law, establisheda Usurpa-
ton not less complete than any in history. That
this was done, proceed to prove. Here is the
evidences:
/. Only in this way can this extraordinary ex-
pedition be adequately explained. In the words
of Moliere, once employed by John Quincy Ad-
ans in the other House, QUE DIARLE ALLAIENT
Ills FARE DAMS cETTE eALEREY What did they
go into the Territory fort If theirpurposes were
peaceful, as has been suggested, why cannons,
arms, flags, numbers, and all this volencei As
simple citizens, proceeding to the honest exer-
else of the electoral franchise, they might have
gone with nothing more than pilgrims staff
Philosophy always seeks sufficient cause, and
only in the ONE IDEA already presented, cana
cause be found in any degree commensurate with
this Crime; and this becomes so only when we
consider the mad fanaticism of Slavery.
2. Public notoriety steps forward to confirm
the suggestion of reason. In every place where
Truth can freely travel, it has been asserted and
understood, that the Legislature was imposed up
on Kansas by foreigners from Missouri; and this
universal voice Is now received as undeniable
verify. 5ft R..4 s
3. 1t is also attested by the harangues of the
conspirators. Here is what Stringfellow said be-
fore the invasion: -
"To those who have qualms of conscience as
to violating laws State or National the time has
come when such impositions must be Disregard
ed, as your rights and property are in danger; and
advise you, one and all, to enter every election
district in Kansas, in defiance Of Reeder and his
vile mymidons, and vote at the point Of the
bowie-knife and revolver, Neither give nor take
quarter, as our case demands it. 1t is enough
that the slaveholding interest wills it, from which
there is no appeal What right has Governor
Reeder to rule Missourians in Kansas2 His proc
lamation and prescribed oath must be repudia-
| ted. 1t is your interest to do SO. Mind that
Slavery is established where it is not prohibited"
Il Here is what Atchison said after the invasion:
"Well what next2 Why an election for mem
bers of the Legislature to organize the Territory
must be held. What did advise you to do then?
/ Why, meet them on their own ground, and beat
them at their own game again; and cold and in
clement as the weather was, went over with q
company of men. My object in going was not to
I vote. had no right to vote, unless had dis
i franchsed myself in Missouri was not within
two miles of voting place. My object in going
was not to vote, but to settle difficulty between
two of oar candidates; and the Abolitionists o
the North said, and published it abroad, tina
Athcison was there with bowie knife and revol
yer, and by God twas true. Inever did 90 in
to that Terrtory-1 never intend 10 60 into tina
Teuitory-without being prepared for all sucl
], kind OF cattle. Well, we beat them, and the Gov
, ernof gave certificates to majority Of all the
members Of both Houses and then, after the,
were organized, as everybody will admit, the,
were the only competent persons to say who
J, were, and who were not, members of the same.
4 a. 1t is confirmed by the cotemporaneous ad
, mission Of the Squatter Sovereign, a paper pub
lished at Atchison, and at once the organ of tn,
, President and of these Borderers, which, unde
date of lst April, thus recounts the victory
"lNDErENDENcE, Missouri March 81, 1865.
Several hundred emigants from Kansas hay,
, just entered our city. They were preceded b,
the Westport and independence brass bands.--
They came in at the west side of the public
square, and proceeded entirely around It, th
bands cheering us with fine music, and the emf
D grants with good news Immediately following
: the bands were about two hundred horsemen il
Q regular order; following these were one hundre
and fifty wagons, carriages, &c. They gave re
a peated cheers for Kansas aud Missouri. The
-lrepori that not an Anti Slavery man will be Il
! the Legislature fKansas. We have made cleai
J, sweep.
h s. 1t is also confirmed by the cotemporaneou
i testimony of another paper, always faithful
q Slavery, the New York Herald in the letter of
: correspondent from Brunswick, in Missouri, un
k der date Of 2OthApril, 1855:
: "From FIVE to seven thousand men started frol
= Missouri to attend the election, some to remove
= but the most to return to their families, with a
!, intention, if they liked the Territory to make
n their permanent abode at the earliest momer
. practicable. But they intend to vote. III
. Missourians were, many of them Douglas mel
a There were one hundred and fifty voters fro
- this county, one hundred and Seventy-fve fro
Howard, one hundred from Cooper. Indeed, e,
:, cry county furnished its quota; and when the
- set out it looked like an army"
s. "They were armed" *& "And, +,
~ there were no houses in the Territory, they ca
~ ried tents. Their mission was peaceable one
IN TO vote and to drive down stakes for their futu
ns homes After the election, some one thousar
~ five hundred of the voters sent committee to
Reeder, to ascertain if it was his purpose to rat
s. fly the election. He answered that it was ar
- said the majority at an election must carry Il
~ day. But 1t is not to be denied that the oil
y, thousand five hundred, apprehending that II
~ Governor might attempt to play the tyrant-- sin
ne his conduct had already been insidous and unju
W ---wore on their hats bunches of hemp. Tn,
ag were resolved, If tyrant attempted to tramp
u upOn the rights of the sovereign nennle IN ha,