The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-07-02

history OF events in the Ierrn0ry from its crgahzaHc
TO the leth day OF March, A. d. 1885.
Your committee deem il their duty to state as brief
as possible the principal facts preTes before them
Of It's eastern border was included in' Indian rcser
yatons not open for settlement, and there were bst
few white settlers in any portion OF the Territory
while many emgrants from different psrs of our
country anxiously waiting the extinction of the
Indian title and the establishment of Territorial govern
men to seek homes in Its fertile praries cannot
been left undsturbed by Congress- its settlement would
have been rapid peaceful and prosperous. Its climate
have made the course for the tide Of emr aton
constantly flowing to the West and by this time, woa
have been ADMITTED into the Union a. Free state with
but the kndest feeling could have existed II aod
the adjoining State Their mutual interests and nter-
the Unon would have strengthened the ties Of national
brotherhood. The testimony clearly shows that before
introduced into Congress the people Of Western Missouri
appeared indifferent to the prohibition Of slavery in tho
Territory, and neither asked nor desired its repeal.
When, however the prohibition removed by the
action OF Congress- the aspect Of affairs entirely changed
The whole country agitated by the reopening Of
controversy which conservative b different sections
hoped had been settled in State and Territory by
some law beyond the danger Of repeal The excitement
which has always accompanied the discussion of the
very question greatly increased by the hope the
one hand OF extending slavery into region from which
OF wrong done by what regarded q dishonor OF
national compact This excitement naturally trans
tory settlers avoring free slave institutions moved
into pit. new difficulty occurred. Different
Tended by the one party that the right to mold slaves in
The Territory existed and that neither the people the
Territorial Legislature could prohibit slaverythat that
power was alone possessed by tho people when they
were authorized TO form a State government 1t was
contended that the removal Of the restriction virtually
established slavery in the Territory This claim was
urged by many prominent In Western Missouri who
actively engaged in the affairs Of the Territory Every
NOV ement OF whatever character which tended to es
interference
with their rights
Within few days after the organic law passed, and
its passage could be known on the border,
leading citizens Of Missouri crossed into the Territory,
held squat.er meetings and then returned to their
That We viii afford protection 70 aboost as settler
That recognise the institution Of slavery already
iing in this Territory and advise shareholders to introduce
Similar resolutions were passed various parts
Territory and BY meetings in several counties Of Mis-
ton against slavery 10 substitute the resolves OF
squauer meetings, composed almost exclusively Of ciu
of single State for the deliberate action OF Con-
gress acqucsced in for thirty five years.
This unlawful interference has been continued In every
important event in the history Of the Territory every
election has been controlled not by the act settlers,
but by citizens OF Missouri, and as conseence every
except those appointed by the President owe their posi-
tons TO nonresident voters None have been elected
dnd that any political power whatever, however unr
portant has been exercised by the people Of the Ter
In October, A. D. 1854, Governor A. H Reedcr and the
ether officers appointed by the President arrived in the
Settlers % ar al par s sr Soun, wc,e
building their cabins. About the time and before
any election was or could be held IN the Territory Sc
G). II was known by different names such as .'Socia
Band" 'Triends Society" "Blue Lodge, = The Sons Of
the Southu It's members bound together by
oah and they had passwords signs and grips by which
they were known to each other Penalties were imposed
for violating the rules and secrets OF the Order Written
kept the proceedings Of the lodges and
the different lodges connected together by erec
uve orsahlzaon. einpracea erea. nutape,s .. Inc .nc
slave States, and into the Territory. Its avowed
purpose not only 10 extend slavery into Kansas
but also into other territory of the United States and
70 form union OF all the friends Of that institution
Its plan of operating was to organize aud send men TO
vote at the elections In the Territory 10 collect money 70
pay their expenses, and If necessary 10 protect them In
voting II also proposed 10 induce the proslayery
cmigrate the Territory aid aud sustain them
while there and elect Office bat those friendly
TO their views This dangerous society controlled by
men who ayowed their purpose 10 extend slavery
the Territory all hazards and altogether the most
effective instrument la organizing the subsequent armed
inyasons and orays. In s lodges in Missouri the af
fairs Of Kansas discussed the force necessary
control the election divided into bands and leaders
selected, collected, and signs aud badges
agreed upon While the great body OF the actual
settlers OF the Territory relying upon the rights
cured 10 them by the organic law and had formed
organization combination whatevcr, Of party
character this conspiracy against their rights was ga
hefing strength In neighborng State, and would have
been sufficient at their first elecon TO have overpowercd
them, If they had been united 10 man.
Your committee had great difficulty in elcitng the
proof Of the details in regard TO this secret society
witness member Of the Legislative Council, refused to
questions in reference TO (2) Another declined
fully because TO do would rcsult 10 his in
jury (3) Others could would only answer 10 the
general purposes OF the society, but succn s disclosed
In the testimony TO show the influence had In controlling
tho elections In the Territory.
The drst election was for delegate to crngresJ II
appointed for the 10th Of November, 1854. Tho
Governor divided tho Territory into seventeen election
for the election. In the First Third, Eighth NINTH
Tenth Twelfth Thirteenth and Seventh districts there APP
I~w1 ttIn
The election In the Second district held ri the vii
age Of Douglas nearly ny miles from the Missouri line
On the day before the election large companies u men
came into the district In wagons and on horse.
back, and declared that they from the state Of
Of s1s 70 gsrs me
where the election 10 be held. Two OF the Judges
appointed by the Governor did no, appesr and other
order 10 make pretence OF right 70 vote persons
OF he company kept pretended register Of squatter
then asser, he had chim in the Territory. citizen Of
The district who himself candidate for delegate TO
So ssSsed ana prosasy Killed fhe vote
Be was seized by the collar, called did aootionlst,
and compelled to seek protection in the room with
the Judges. About the time the polls closed these
strangers their horses got their wagons
and cried out, can aboard for westport and Kansas
souri, and among among them hem was % Smssl II wood-on lead
ing lawyer Of Independence. Ofthose whose
on the poll books % were resident settlers and 22o were
Tho election in tho Fourth district was held at Or.
| chapmans, over 10 miles from the Missouri Shc line.
II thnly settled region containing but AZ voters In
February, 1855, whom the census taken. On the
day before the election from 100 70 $50 citizens Of cass
and jackson counties, No. into this district declar
ing their purpose TO vote and that they bound 70
make Kansas slave Ststs. they did hat the point Of
the sword (5) Persons Of the party the way drove
each asake In the ground and called caimand In
one case several names we're put stake The par
Of strangers campcd all night near where the election
wss 10 be held and the morning s the election
polls and voted One OF their parry got drunk and 70
&C, rid q Dr. Chapman Judge Of the election they sent
for him to come and a sick man. and IN his absence
nsd Misplace with another Judge who not sworn.
They did not deny conceal that they residents
Missouri and many Of them recognised such by
others They declared that they bound 10 make
Kansas slave sate They insisted upon their right 10
in the Territory " thcy hons hour. After
The election they again retarned 10 their homes Mls
| souri, camping over night on the way.
We sne upon the poll books i6f names OF these not
90 resided in the Territory 13 residents
/ f6l