The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-05-29
Kansas and Civil Wnr-Lawrcncc
DESTROYED,


Reports have reached here, that Kansas
10 in a state of civil war--that the citizens
on one side, and the Missourians on the
other, are arrayed in arms--that a battle
has taken place--that lives are lost upon
both sides--and finally that the town OF
Lawrence is totally destroyed! This report
10 no doubt very much exaggerated and we
wait with anxiety for something more relia-
ble.
II, however, the rumors now current arc
true, or have even foundation in truth,
they present state of facts very much to
be lamented. If the "border ruffians" of
Missouri or Of any other State, have entered
Kansas lighted the torch of civil war, and
murdered its citizens they should meet with
condign punishment. The man who will
Join in the work of piIluge and plumber
sgainst his fellows, is alike, an enemy to his
race and his country. He should be treated
BY the government as an enemy and t'ait-
or, and suffer the penalty mcted ont by the
law to such men.
From the report TO day, it is impossible
20 determine just who, and what parties are
to blame. 1t seems that party of Free
State men first attacked Cosgrave and Bran.
non, Here the wrong is with the Free State
party. The after occurrence at Lawrence,
however places the wrong on the prosla-
very side. Subsequent accounts will prob
ably show that there is an error on both
sides and that both are censurable. When
ihe present excitement has died down a lit
Gle, and mea allow their cooler judgements
to bear sway, then, and not till then, can an
impartial verdict be rendered by the public
These outrages ought 10 lead men to re-
feet upon their causes and to consider and
apply the proper remedy. The origin OF the
difficulty is plain to be seen. 1t consists in
q wiIful disregard of the right OF the people
of Kansae to control and regulate their own
domestic institutions. There is but one
way to remedy the evil. The doctrine Of
popular sovereignty must be ADHERED to-tae
people of KansOs must be permitted 10 govern
Memselces, wishout any Interference Jron' any
source whaierer. Every iona fde settler o.
Kansas should be protected in his rights, though
the schole po'Vsr Of the general government he
required TO defend him. If the inhabitants
Of Missouri invade Kansas to murder her
citizens and destroy their property, they
should be ordered home, and if they refuse
to obey, they should be shot do,rn. The same
treatment should be administered to iDva-
ders from any other section either North or
South.
Let this doctrine be carried out in its spir-
II and letter. Let the people and the gov
ernment unite in defending Kansas from oil
invasion from whatever quarter it may be
contemplated, and very soon will order and
harmony be restored to the territory.
1t is especially incumbent upon the Dem
ocratic party, to look we'll to the preserv a.
ton of this most sacred right--the right oi
seIf.government. Popular sovereignty is q
leading and warmly cherished doctrine o.
the Democratic creed. BY the Democratic
party, then, let it be maintained ard defend
cd. Our opponents are the practical acvo
Gates OF inv aston; Missouri slave propagan-
dists in the south, andSharpe's riaemen in the
North, each by their constant interference
10 the affairs of Kansas, have brought US tc
the verge Of civil war. Let all invasion bt
put down, now and forever. lfmild means
will not suffice, let the strong arm of th'
government be welded in defense Of the citi
sens 10 the territories.