Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1856-07-19
PRESENTED JULY !, Iss

f9a ifis 10 5l50 u d5Ia1a m f'~~sE5s3 II
A journal Of proceedings, including sundry
communications made to and by the Com
mittee, was kept, copy of which is herewith
submitted. The testimony also is herewith SUBJ
mitted "a copy Of it has been made and arranged,
not according to the order in which it was taken,
but SO as to present, as clearly rs possible, a
consecutive history of events in the Territory,
from its organization to the 18th day Of March,
A. D., 1856. ga &. 2iss} i48 1854 aa}Iei9d
Your Committee deem it their duty to state,
as briefly us possible, the principal facts proven
before them. When the act to organize the Fer
ritory of Kansas was passed on -- day OF May,
1854, the greater portion OF its eastern border
was included in Indian reservations not open for
settlement, and there were but few white settlers
ia any portion Of the Territory. Its Indian popu-
lation was rapidly decreasing, while many emf
grants from different parts of the country were
anxiouslv awaiting the extinction Of the Indian
title, and the establishment OF Territorial
Government, to seek new homes in its fertile
prairies. 1t cannot be doubted that ii its con-
dition as a free Territory had been left undis-
turbed by Congress, its settlement would have
been rapid peaceful and prosperous. Its climate,
soil, and its easy access to the older settlements
would have made it the favored course for the tide
Of emigration constantly flowing to the West, and,
bv this time, it would have been admitted into
the Union as II Free State, without the least Sec
tional excitement. If SO organized, none but
the kindest feeling could have existed between it
and the adjoining State. Their mutual interests
and intercourse, instead of, as now, endangering
the harmony of the Union, would have strength
ened the ties of National brotherhood. The tes-
timony clearly shows, that before the proposition
to repeal the Missouri Compromise was intro
duced into Congress, the people of Western
Missouri appeared Indifferent to the prohibition
of Slavery in the Territory, and neither asked
nor desired its repeal.
When, however, the prohibition was remove
by the action of Congress, the aspect of affairs
entirely changed. The whole country wa. agi-
tated by the re-opening Of controversy which
conservative men in different sections hoped had
been settled in every State and Territory by some
law beyond the danger of repeal. The excite
ment which has always accompanied the discus
sion Of the Slavery question was greatly increased
Inv the hope on the one hand of extending Slavery
into the region from which it had been excluded
| by law and ON the other by a sense of wrong
done by what regarded dshonor Of IL
| national compact. This excitement was naturally
transferred into the border counties of Missouri
| and the Territory settlers favorng free or
slave institutions moved into it. A new difficulty
| soon occurred. Different constructions were put
| on the organic law. 1t was cOntendcd by the one
party that the right to hold slaves in the Terri
tory existed, and that neither the people nor the
|
that that power was alone possessed by the peO-
pie when they authorized to form State
| Government. IL was contended that the removal
of the restriction virtually established slavery in
| the Territory. This claim urged BY many
prominent men in Western Missouri, who actively
| engaged in the affairs of t. e Territory. Every
movement of whatever character which tended to
establish free institutions regarded as an
interference with their rights.
20, ,l,.s aft thn Iax<-
ed, and as soon as its passage could be known
on the border, leading citizens of Missouri
crossed into the Territory, held squatter meetings
and then returned to their homes. Among their
resolutions are the following:
s'That wexYilI afford no protection to no Adolf
zionist as a settler of this Territory"
| THAT we recognize the institution of Slavery
as already existing in this Territory, and advis,
shareholders to introduce their property as earl,
as possible" 'a i
Similar resolutions passed in various
parts of the Territory, and by meetings in severa
counties in Missouri. Thus the first effect of TIL
repeal OF the restriction against Slavery was t.
substitute the resolves Of sluatter meetings, com
posed almost exclusively OF citizens of single
| State, Tor the deliberate action OF Congress, nc
quesced in for thirty-iive years. a3
| This unlawful inter ference has been continued
in every important event in the history of tn
| territory: erery election has been controlled
not by the settlers, but by citizens of Mis-
souri,, and as consequence every officer IN tn
| territory, from constabeS to legislators, eXcep
those appointed by the President, owe their posi-
tons to nonresident voters. None have beer
elected by the settlers, and your committee hav
been unable to lind that any political power what
/ ever, however unimpOrtant, has been exercise,
by the people of the territory.
In October, A. ID. 1881, Gov. a. Ii. Reeder ant
the other officers appointed by the President ar
| rived in the Territory. Settlers from all parts 0
the country were moving in, in great numbers
making their claims and building their cabins. =
About the same time. and before any election
was or could be held in the territory, a secre
political society formed in the State of Mis-
sour. 1t was known by different names, such a
s. Social band,'' :. Friends Society," 6 Blu
LODGE" $ The Sons of the South'' Its mem
bers were bound together by secret oaths, AM
they had passwords, signs, and grips by whic
| they were known to each other. Penalties wer
imposed for violating the rules and secrets of th
Order. Written minutes were kept of the pro
ceedin.s of the Lodges, and the different Lodge
were connected together by an effective organza
| ton. 1t embraced great numbers of the citizen
of Missouri, and was extended into other Slav
States and into the territory. Its avowed pur
pose was not only to extend Slavery into Kansas
but also into other territory of the United States
and to form union of all the friends of tina
institution. Its plan of operating was to organ
| i've and send men to vote ut the elections in tn
territory, to collect money to pay their expenses
| and If necessary to protect them in voting.
also proposed to induce Pro- Slavery men to emf
CRATE into the Territory, to aid and sustain then
while there, and to elect none to Office but thos
friendly to their views. This dangerous societ
was controlled by men who avowed their purpos
to extend Slavery into the Territory at all haz
ards, and was altogether the most effective in
strument in organizing the subsequent armed in
yasions and fOrays. In its Lodges in Missouri
the affairs of Kansas were discussed, the fore
necessary to control the election was divided int,
bands, and leaders selected, meals were collect
ed, and signs and badges were agreed upon
While the great body of the actual settlers o
the territory were relying upon the rights secure,
to them by the organic law, and had formed nj
organization or combination wA,tever, even of
political character, this conspraSy against thei
| rights was gathering strength in u neighborin,
State and would have been sufficient OF their frs,
election to have overpowered them, if they hat
been united to man.
Your Committee had great difficulty in elicitin:
the proof of the details in regard to this secre
society. One witness, member of the Legislatv,
Council, refused to answer questions in referenc,
to it. Another declined to answer fully, because
to do so would result to his injury. Others could
or would only answer as to the general purposes
of the Society,". but sufficient is disclosed in tn,
testimony to show the influence it had in CONTROL
ing the elections in the Territory. ff
The first election was for a Delegate to Con
gress. 1t was appointed for the 29th of Novem
Der, 1854. The Governor divided the Territor,
into IL election districts appointed Judges, anf
prescribed proper rules for the election. In tn,
LIST, lid, With, IXth, Xth, XIlth, XIIIth ana
XVIith Districts there appears to have been bu
/ - l. ,ds,1n