The Kansas herald of freedom., 1856-11-01
lies coaventiOu at Bic Springs.

/ Ever since the Territorial election Of
the 9th ult., held under The bogus laws.
we have felt it to be the duty of the
Free State party to elect man who
VIII faithfully representus asa Territory
till such times as we shall be admitted
as State. 1t is notorious fact that
the polls were once more invaded in
several places, sad Whitfield return
ed by relatively smaller vote than at
the first election, but still illegal. 1t
IS very curious that polls in the Terri
tory which were in no danger of inva-
sion, werewell guarded by U. S. troops.
and polls which were in danger of inva-
sion were not guarded at all. We do
not propose to find fault with this ar
rangement. because the Free State men
would haye had nothing to do with the
election under the bogus call referred
to, had every ballot-box been guarded
by an army. We only advert to these
facts to sho& the manner of Whitfeld's
election, and as reason why the peo-
pie of the Territory should elect dell
egats of their own.
Nearly two weeks ago call was is
sued. by mass meeting at Topeka,
for mass convention at Big Springs,
for the purpose of nominating dele
gate to contest the seat OF Whitfield
who was illegally elected. That con-
vention met on Tuesday last, and Gov.
Reeder was placed in nomination on the
first formal ballot. This. We think.
was due to Gov. Reeder and to the
cause of free Kansas, bat the vote
which nominated 4. II. Recder also
demonstrated the fact that NJ. j. Par
rot, Esq, ofLcavenworth, was the most
popular man before the convention in
the Territory. Mr.. Parrot is deserved
ly popular. He is a gentleman, and we
were sorry to see a disposition on the
part of some of the candidates to try to
defeat him, by Withdrawing in favor of
another, assuming that they had the en-
tire disposal of the votes cast for them
on the informal ballot. We were glad
to see that Gen. Pomeroy, in withdraw
ing his name, took sensible view of
the subject, and put himself right on
the record, by disclam ing eny desire
to favor the election OF aay one.
A committee was appointed to pre-
pare resolutions expressive of the sense
of the convention. The Chairman, Mr..
Speer, made a we'll written report
The first resolution was cotnmendatory
of the course of Gov REEDER, as our
delegate in Congress, and was passed.
The second was dcnunciatory of some
of the acts of Gov. Geary, and as it was
considered impolitic to pass one of such
character at present, it was voted
down. The third and last resolution is
designed to hint that the love of Free
dom has not died in the hearts of the
people. These resolutions, together
with the other proceedings, viii be
published officially in our next issue.
This convention was good one, and
will carry healthy influence into every
community there represented. Itteach-
es two valuable lessons: 1t shows to
our enemies that the Free State spirit is
not entirely crushed out that their raids
and villanous conduct has rather tended
to strengthen than to weaken the love of
Liberty, as is always the result in such
cases. 1t shows to our own party, the
utter folly of trying to institute divis-
ions or ciiques on men until the great
question of Freedom or Slavery in this
Territory is forever at rest. Y.