New-York daily tribune., 1856-02-27
KANSAS BY A RESIDENT-AIDA ASKED.

KANSAS BY A RESIDENT-AID ASKED.
To the Editor Of Tie n. Y. Tyibgne
SIR: have Just arrived from Kansas and after
journey of ten days feel pretty much weared oat,
yet am constrained to my first leisure moment in
making this appeal through your columns in behalf Of
the people Of Kansas. We are suffering and needy,
but are not beggarS for mere pance to sustain life.
We occupy peculiar situation in the history Of our
country and need hardly say most trying one; and
while most earnestly plead for assistance, beg my
friends to understand plainly solicit it not as charity,
but as something which have a right TO expect
from our Eastern brethren. What is situation
Just as we had begun 10 surround ourselves with
limited few of the comforts of life, and preparing
for the Winter season, we besieged by foreign
foe. and obliged 10 resort TO arms for the defense
of our lives aud homes. Domestic industry
wss palsed, the preparations for Winter comfort
checked, and ell progress in improving our country
was at once stopped The effects of that you all
know, so ] need not recapitulate them; but the
great struggle occurs in intensely cold Winter,
tenaciously fierce beyond the remembrance Of the
oldest citizens in Kansas and houses not built there
TO withstand it, and besides the few mills which were
completed are nearly all rendered incapable of work
ing from the same The snow, too, has become
deep TO render travelling very difficult, and pro-
deed bas lived on pounded corn and pork for weeks
and some fear have Jared even worse. Yet L have
heard meD and women who have suffered thus thank
God that il. was such Winter. Start not, reader;
this is no anomaly. We are menaced by foe who
threatens the destruction of what is dear life to us
our rights as Freemen and American citizens-and
thus the cold Winter doubt has prevented many an
outrage, and perhaps saved valuable lives.
Friends, we have been beseiged and suffered the
loss of property and industry We have had our nno-
cent citizens murdered in the most hornd and bar
barous manner They have been chased and shot
down like wolves-they have been stabbed aud
hatcheted and others have had the most ignominous
outrages perpetrated upon them, and for what For
the sin Of being Free-State men!
do not color this picture at all only state plain
facts. Within the precincts of this american Govern
ment such things perpetrated. Nay, they have
the sanction of the Executive Of this Republic and
the (so-styed) National Democracy of this Union.
Inflated with the warm approval given to his message
in certain regions, MIR. Pierce issued hs special mes
sage about Kansas, and directly his immortal mani
festo. the Kansas Proclamation, followed We are
said TO be guilty of treason in refusing submission to
the Territorial laws enacted by the Missouri mob.
Trt ason treason! Adams and Hancock were guilty
of Ae same crme-W ashiOgton, Franklin and ilamii-
ton were attainted with the same oense, and Andrew
Jack son. once upon u time, was accused OF something
akin TO it. If resistance to the Territorial law of
Kansas is treason, then make the most OF 1t, We say
to the powers that be.
We have had our nelgbbors and friends shot down
Ike wild beasts before our eyes and property de-
stroyed. We have submittedto insult and abuse and
still have fOrbome any act OF violence on our part,
hoping and trusting that in the strong arm OF the law
we should have redress. And what is the result We
have been denied even Coroner's Jury 10 SIT upon
the body of murdered friend, and the murderers go
forth in open day and aoganty boast of their deeds.
We are denounced as enemies TO good order and our
country and stgmatzed guilty of the highest crime
known TO our laws-Feds0r. lbs Is our reward Tor
forbesrance
Can il be treason TO resist law which is unconsi-
tutional, even If Executive does recognize that
law We think not; and know that shall resist
il unto death if need be- and lay our bones the fer
tile soil Of that delightful country to bleach in the
shine and rain rather than submit either TO the hired
Rufens from Missouri or the vassals OF Frank Pierce
quartered at Forts Leavenwoh and Riley, ostensibly
for the purpose Of defense from the Indians but which
his late proclamation shows to be there for another
purpose.
Friends the crisis has come. We must retreat igno-
mniousy from the field VIC must sustain our posi-
ton and assert ghts reemen. We intend to do
the latter but TO Ake off the grasp with which the
Slave Power has seized beautiful Territory will
require strength, fotde, and perseverance. Ii is
thing not easily a'bished The worst passions OF
the human heart and the most subtle projects of the
human mind lea lued against The powers that
be aid and encourage, and a large political body
winks at the consummaton OF this diaboica
plot. We expect to endure hardships, and
suffer loss of property and life, and such
has ever been the price of Liberty and Freedom. In
the North. We feel We know you will freely respond
to the call for aid in the shape of money, but We want
men. We want these who are wilhngt make q home
in one of the most beautiful countries in the world and
who will defend that home. We want such men to
come to Kansas, 10 come by thousands We want
men 10 20 with the full determination TO act the part OF
men-to build up homes, and surround them with all
that is desirable in this e with institutions founded
upon Freedom and Justce-to build mp schools and
churches and create society intelligent, moral and
enierprising. Again l say We want men, and he who
goe. with the determination to act the part OF man IN
the present crisis contributes more than be who gives
his thousand dollars.
hope ssd trust that Congress will come to our
cue, and yetve know that II is uncertain reliance
Men IN power have their glory at heart are too
apt 20 thnk more of their exataton than the ne
cessies oil the people. Indications show disposition
10 tight pohticu battles over distracted body,
instead OF redressng our grievances Our reliance,
then, on the peopethe sOber-thinkng honest body
of our citizens. Shall We appeal m vain 1t is
less 10 cry Peace, Peace, when there is no peace
"The war has actually begun and the next tele-
graphic dispatch may bring the news of slaughtered
victims The mandate has gone forth from the Chief
Executive, and those who doubt the existence OF
deadly hostiies know as little about ii as the Chi
ntse DO Of the Choctaws. Let sink away at
the cry of treason; 'tis only subterfuee TO fright the
,imid Iptl q diabeiesl seheme Of raPue and nardsg