The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1856-07-29
THE FOURTH OF JULY AT TOPEKA.
Legislature Dispersed by u. 8. Troops.
OVER FOUR HUNDRED DRAGONS IN TnI
FIELD.
Grand Mas Convention of the People.
INCIDENTS OF Thx b&i, &C.


Naturally moro beautiful, politically
more important day, never rose in Kansas
than the present Fourth Of July.
Cannon in the camp Of the cavalry an
nounced its advent.
Yesterday afternoon, and during the night
the Free Slate men received aecessions to
their strength.
About eight hundred men were in the city
this morning. Of this number, Ave hundred
at least, had arms and were drilled.
Flags foated in the breeze from every pub
lie building and in front Of every tent.
Five companies Of Dragons under Col.
Sumner were encamped southeast Of tho
town, and five companies from, Fort Riley,
under Major Merrill, on, the opposite side Of
the river, about two miles northwest Of Con-
stitution Hall,
The Mass Convention met at o'clock
Speeches were delivered by Col. Phillips,
Judge Wakefield, Col. Allen, Judge Schu,y-
Ter, Rev. VIM. Hutchinson, Mr.. Samuel G.
Smith, Mr.. Watson, Of Leavenworth, and
others.
The subject Of debate was the propriety Of
the Legislature convenipg, notwithstanding
the intimation received from COL Sumner
that h, would disperse that body at all haz-
ards.
We had clique of Buchanan intrgucs in
the Convention who were endeavoring to in
duce it TO pass resolutions by which the De-
mocracy might be saved from defeat at the
approaching Presidential election.
For this purpose they privately spoke with
appreciation Of Toombs Of Georgia's bill, and
various other measures proposed or contcm-
plated by prominent Democrats. They con-
tended that as it was evident the South was
backing down, we ought not to pass any res
olutions by which our friends in Congress
would be prevented from agreeing on COM
promise measurable repeal, for example,
of the Shawnee Code and Free State Consti-
tuition both. But they soon found out that
no such measure would be tolerated for mo
ment; that the people were living in earnest,
and would repudate the Republicans rs will
lingly as they denounced the Democracy, if
our party consented to make any compromise
with the enemies. They hold that as we
have majority in the House, and can there:
fore starve the Senate and Executive into a
compliance with our party demands, any
compromise with the Propagandsts would
at once disgrace us, and perpetuate anarchy
in Kansas.
Stewards bill--that and nothing else, they
are willing to accept. Every attempt to pass
any resolution. contemplating another election
another Constitution, or another 1errltoriat
Government, was unanimously voted down.
The proposition to stop the supplies waa
very popular.
They arc as confident that the Republi-
Gems will refuse to pass any Appropriation
Bills until Kansas is admitted, rs they arc
that slavery will never be extended over an
other inch of National Territory.
About 10 o'clock, gentleman moved that
the business of the Convention be tempo
rarily suspended, for the purpose of listening
to Proclamation from Marshal Donelson, OK
"Et Cetera" celebrity.
The motion was adopted, and the great
dSc.-ist mounted the platform.
He is a tall, lanky gentleman of forty-fivo
or fifty years, with a fair complexion, IRON
grey whiskers, and ifnbecile looking eyes,
He was dressedin jeans pants, vest and coat,
and wore shocking bad' and very dirty
straw hat. ....
He said, as any Judge of human nature
could easily see, that he was not good at
speaking, and called on Judge Elmore to read
the Proclamation.
Judge Elmore rose and took out the Off
cial parchment. He read the Proclamation
of Franklin Pierce,, president Of the South
ern portion of the United States" issued IN
February last; then the proclamation of Will
son Shannon, the sot Of Lecompton, who
threatened to cut a woman's heart out-pub-
lished month ago-thirdly, another procla
nation, dated July 4th, issued by Daniel
Woodson, Secretary of the Territory and act
ing Governor, and lastly, note from Col.
Sumner, addressed to the Legislature, an
nouncing mis- determination to execute the
command of Woodson,--for the Legislature
| to disperse--"at all ha zards."
There was only one copy Of Woodson's
proclamation and Summers note, permitted
to be taken, and a gentleman carried it off be-
1t will be published.
As soon as the proclamations were read.
the business Of the Convention was resumed
as if no interruption had occurred.
Marshal Donelson' remained. He looked
rs countryman looks at a railroad for the
first time--utterly amazed, apparently at the
conduct and GOODNESS of the Convention.
After staring around about ten minutes ho
asked il there was any reply to be sent TO tho
proclamations, and offered to carry the ans
wer TO camp.
The chairman Informed him that, rs the
proclamation was addressed TO the Legisla;
ture and this was q Conycntion,- had
no communication TO make.
| He left On reaching the camp no told tho
officers that there must be fight.
Col. Summer, excited by the news, ordered
his men TO prepare for battle. :, i.
Two field-peccs were charged with grapo
shot and the Dragons l6adcf their carbines
and revolves.
Shortly afterwards they were allowed to
march. o
The Convention was informed Of the fact
as soon as they began to move, but proceeded
quietly with its business, and continued to
discuss the resolution before it, even after it
was surrounded by the troops.
AS Col. Sumner, riding at the head Of his
mcn-about two hundred-turncd round tho