Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1856-08-23
THE CONDITION OF KANSAS.
REPORT OF THE BUFFALO CONVENTION COMMITTEE


GENTLENENi The undersigned respectfully re-
port as follows;
Their mission Ind a double nurpose of ascer.
to;ning NV nersonnJ observation Tho aciuol condi.
ton and wants of the settlers in Kansas. AID also
of the bodies of Free State emigrants supposed to
lc on the road thither.
They learned at St. Louis and elsewhere THAI
no Anti-Slavery man who scorned to DENY or con.
ceal his rame or his sentiments could attempt to
enter Kansas by the Missouri River without great
risk of being insulted, abused and turned back.
Il has been said that men going quietly about
their business. and not proclaiminr Anti.Slayery
sentiments would not be molessed. This, however
is not true in any lust sense, at least of men hav-
ing strong convictions and indisposed to DENY them
when called for. ANY traveller toward Kansas is
liable to be reported by spies to Vigilance Com
mittees, or bands of DULLES, who take law into
their own hands (cowing the honest inhabitants of
Missouril, who accost strangers, force them to de-
clare their business and their sentiments, and NAL
treat them and turn them back as if such senti-
ments are displeasing to the ina Visitors.
Some travellers, indeed, may escape, but this is
because the system of spying is not complete, and
the vigilance of the Rufian's is sometimes dulled
by whisky or by sleep; but the fact is potent, that
Anti-Slavery men are prescribed, hunted for, and
their free passage barred by bullies-so potent, IN.
deed, that it has been common for Eastern men
(even of Pro. Slavery .cndenciesl to erase marks from
their luggage, and destroy papers, before entering
NllSSOuGl, ltSU lntlT DilCe VI slubll sUJUlu W
known. To a system of espionage which apes the
Austrian, is added a system of brigandage which
excels the Neapolitan.
When it is considered that this inquiSition and
terrorism prevail upon the great throughfnre OF our
country, and that men are subject to it solely be.
cause they do not deny their love of Freedom and
hatred of Slavery-solely because they cannot
pronounce a shibboleth, and be declared "aH right
on the ~qoose"-then must Americans hang their
heads, and confess the existence Of a tyranny
which puts down free speech in a large part of
their boasted Republic.
1t is an untruth and a bitter mockery to say that
travellers can have redress by appealing TO the
courts of Justice. The peaceful and Just citizens
Of Missouri in the infected district, dare not pro-
tect strangers who are denounced by the Border
Rufians rs 'biue beiied AboltiOHiStS;' and victims
who have tried to appeal to court have been sub
even put to death. These are painful truths. The
undersigned preferred to make a tedious journey
around Missouri, by Iowa, though it led through
three hundred miles of sparsely settled country,
unprovided with coaches. hotels, or the ordinary
facilities for travel, but where the settlers in their
log cabins enjoy and permit free speech.
During this journey the undersigned passed sew
eral parties of emigrants from the Free States,
toiling slowly along on foot toward Kansas and
Nebraska-their families and furniture drawn by
oxen. Some were forced to take this circuit be-
cause they dare not follow the route through Mis-.
ouulf OlhtI DutllcS q Lic lObulHihH VI
disheartered by the difficulties of the way and by
the dangers ahead.
The tendency of Americans to enigrate West
ward and fill up new countries is too strong to need
any assistance from Emigrant Aid Societies under
ordinary circumstances, or to be entirely checked
by any common difficulties; but what n comment
upon the practical workings of our system is found
in the fact that men must dodge and skulk through
Missouri, or make this long, rounda boat. tedious
and costly journey through lava to to get into to-
ritories which the law declares open 10 all!
Our test of the power and ju stice of a Govern
ment is Its ability and disposition to shield the
humblest subject. To say Il am a Roman citizen"
was once a safe passport the world over; but the
American Government cannot, or will not give its
citizens the protection at home which the Roman
Government, even when administered by tyrants,
gave to Romans abroad.
Having passed through Iowa, the Undersigned
crossed the Upper Missouri at Nebraska City, and
entering the Territory found that several parties
OF emlgrants, from various parts of the Free
States, had congregated together and were en-
camped in tents and wagons upon the open prai-
rie, about forty miles north of the frontier Of
kansas.
New difficulties and delays here occurred. The
report of the approach of this Emigration" had
stirred up the commotion in Missouri; and the
Rufians we're again upon the border. A large
band was posted as far east as Marysyille: and
smaller parties we're securing the frontier to ascer-
tttiil az Nhtb Dolu Vic OlllG lubo hCdnb w CIOSS.-
The undersigned could not enter Kansas, even
through this remote pass, except by running a
muck over the frontier, and risking encounter with
bands of mounted ~Iufians, who are ever ready to
pounce upon parties smaller than their own; or
else, by waiting until the whole body of emigrants
could move. For the first they had no great in
cl%ination. not having come out prepared to fight;
and for the second they had no time. They have
gathered however. much evidence from various
sources respecting the state of things in Kansas.
There are in the encampm.nt many noble men who
were driven out during the late troubles, or Obliged
to 20 to the States on business, and who are now
seeking to return.
There are individuals, and even whole families,
in Nebraska and in Iowa, near the frontier, who
were driven out. There are men who have left
Kansas within a few weeks. From all these sour
ces the undersigned gathered evidence which will
be laid before the Committees; suffice it to say now.
that thousands in Kansas are suffering actual pri-
walton and want, in consequence of the late out.
RACES, and their prospects Tor the coming winter
n ~ draaru ind aI hacousa tho oopar,l ~ oal