The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-07-18
election the people Of Kansas took no part,

A
to the idea that the laws of the Legislature
had any validity. The committee say in
regard to it.
Your Committee did not deem IL necessary
in regard to this election to enter into de-
tails, as 1t was manifest that from there be-
ing but one candidate-Gen. Whitfeld-he
must have received majority Of the votes
cast. This election, therefore, depends not
on the number or character of the votes re- |
ceived, but upon the validity Of the laws
under which Il was held. Sufficient testi.
mony was taken TO show that the voting oil
citizens of Missouri was practised at this
election, as ut all former elections in the
Territory.
While these enactments Of the alleged
Legislative Assembly were being made,
movement was instituted to form State
Government and apply for admission into
the Union as State. The first step taken
by the people of the Territory, in conse-
quence Of the invasion Of March 30, 1855,
was the circulation for signature ola graph
ic and truthful memorial to Congress, Your
Committee find that every allegation in this
memorial has been sustained by the tcsti-
mony. No further step was taken, rs II
was hoped that some action by the General
Government would protect them in their
rights. When the alleged Legislative AS.
scmbly proceeded to construct the series OIL
enactmcnts referred to, the settlers were OF
opinion that submission to them would re-
suit in depriving them Of the rights secured
to them by the organic law. Their .politi-
cal condition was freely discussed in the Ter
ritories during the summer OF 1888. Sew
eral meetings were held in reference to hold
ing Convention to form State Govern
ment and to apply for admission into the
Union as State. Public opinion gradually
settled in favor Of such an application to
the Congress TO meet in December, 1900
The first general meeting was held in Law
renee On the 18th of August, 1855.
The Committee then state all Of the facts
connected with the adoption of the Consti-
tuition, saying everything was done in q
peaceful manner.
In accordance with the Constitution thus
adopted, the members Of the State Legisla-
ture and most of the State officers met on
the day and ut the place designated by the
State Constitution, and took the oath there
in prescribed.
After electing United States Senators,
passing some preliminary laws, and appoint
ing Codifying Committee and preparing q
Memorial to Congress, the General Assem-
bly, adjoined to meet on the 4th day of July,
1856.
The laws passed were all conditional up.
on the admission of Kansas as State into
the Union. These proceedings were regular,
and in the opinion of your Committee, the
Constitution thus adopted fairly expresses
the will OF u majority Of the settlers. They
now await the action Of Congress upon
their memorial.
These elections, whether they were con-
} Quoted in pursuance of law or not, were not
, illegal.
, Whether the result Of them is sanctioned
by the action Of Congress, or they are re-
garded US the mere expression Of popular
will, and Congress should refuse to grant
the prayer of the Memorial, that cannot af.
feet their legality, The right OF the people
to assemble and express their political opin-
ion in any form whether by means Of an
election or convention, is secured to them
by the Constitution of the United States
Even if the elections are to be regarded as
the act Of party, whether political or 9TH
erwise, they were proper, in accordance
with examples, both in State and Terrific
J ries.
The elections however, were preceded and
followed by acts Of violence on the part OF
those who opposed them, and those persons
who approved and sustained the invasion
from Missouri were peculiarly hostile to these
peaceful movements preliminary to the or
ganization OF a state Government. Instance
Of this violence will be referred to hereafter.
FOURTH INVASION AGAINST LAWRENCE.
In the fall Of 1855, there sprang out Of
the existing discords and excitement in the
Territory, two secret Free State societies.
They were defensive in the character, and
were designed to form protection to their
members against unlawful acts of violence
and assault. One Of the societies was pure
ly of local character, and was confined to
the town Of Lawrence. Very shortly after
its organization itproduced its desired effect,
and then went out Of the use and ceased to
exist. Both societies were cumbersome, and
of no utility except to give confidence TO the
Free State men and enable them to know and
aid each other in contemplated danger. So
FAR us the evidence shows, they led 10 no act
of violence in resistance to either real or al-
legged laws.
The committee after giving the facts res
pecting the murder of Dow, free soil man
by Coleman, and the troubles which grew
out of it, say.
Within few days. large numbers ofmen
from the State Of Missouri, gathered and
encamped on the Wakerusa. They brought
with them oil the equipments of war. TO
obtain them, party of men under the dir
ection of Judge L. V. Thompson, broke in
to the United States Arsenal and Aimory ut
Liberty, Missouri, and after forcible de-
tention Of Captain Leonard, (then in charge)
they to * the cannon, muskets, rifles, pow
der, harness, and indeed all the materials
and munitions Of war they desired, some of
which have never been returned or account
ed for.
The chief hostility of this military foray
was against the town Of Lawrence, and this
was especially the case with the officers of
the law.
Your Committee can see in the testimony
no reason, excuse, or palliation for this feel.
ing. Up 10 this time no ioarraat or procla-
nation Of any kind had been IN the hands of
any officer against any atisen Of Laurence.
No arrest had been attempted, and no writ
resisted in that town. The rescue Of Bran
son sprang out of murder committed thir
teen miles from Lawrence, in detached
settlement, and neither the town nor its cit
irens extended any protection to Branson's
rcscuers. On the contrary, two or three
days after the rescue, 5. n. Wood, who
claimed publicly to be one Of the rescuing
party, wished to be arrested for the purpose
OF testing the Territorial laws, and walked
up to Sheriff Jones and shook hands with
him, and exchanged other courtcsics. He
could have been arrested without any diff
Guilty, and it was his design, when he went
to Mr.. Jones, to be arrested, but no attempt
was made to do 50.
It is obvious that the only cause Of this