The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-07-17

INTERESTING From KANSAS.
Desperation of the Free State Legislature by
Colonel Sumner.
Correspondence OF the Chicago Democratic Press.
ToPskA X. T. July 5, 1853
Yesterday marked by Of the most outrageous
occurrences that mark our national annals. Franklin
Pierce not content with all his previous nfamy Kan
affairs conspmmated by GROWING act OF outrage
free institutions. The federal troops rode into
IN battle array and dispersed the Legislature.
great mass convention had been called 70 assemble
at Topeka. Owing TO the political troubles and insecurity
in the Territory il not generally attended had
been expected but thore were about thousand per-
sons, men and women, there.
Col Sumner had beer collecting large military force
In the neighborhood OF Topeka and as 1t WAS reported
that he intended 70 drive out the Legislature and cerse
the people assembled with his troops considerable
element prevailed At ten O'Clock in the forenoon OF
yesterday T. $. Marshal Donaldson into Topeka,
ACCOMPANIED BY Judge Elmore He stated that he had
communication TO make. The President of the Conven-
ton Mr. Currier of ieavenworth invited them both 10
the stand when Donaldson said he had proclamation 10
make and got Judge Emore to read, first copy Of the
Presidents last February proclamation then Shannons
June proclamation, which he read from little piece OF
scissorng from newspaper and lastly the following;
PROCLAMATION GOVERNOR or KANSAS.
Whereas we have been reliably informed tina, number Of
persons Gaming M powers are about to assemble in
executing other Legislative functions IN Violation Of sSs
sdoped hsrso and appears saS that s ms
M his e a nor s a ss IN s
~ violence all present constitutional and legal auho
nss y ssH sas
the Territory carried into action, viii constitute insurrec
he o a
rein to their respective pl ices Of abode and
Of he President has BEEN and Is about 70 be-
l. Daniel Woodson acting Governor Of the Territory of Kan
sas by virtue Of the authority vested in me by law and in
Of the aforesaid proclamation Of the President
constituted sulhories TERRITORY Of preserving the
power sa aSo
ry aforesaid from assembling organizing or attempting
The penalties ali Unlawful Violations Of the aW Of
tie land and dsurbers Of the peace and tranquility of the
In testimony whereof have herenn,o subscribed my
S1d a,s q he sn States i e. and Of the nd'
r,. Aeng Governor q Kansas Territory
re = Is. sustain the the Territory
announce that shall maintain tie proclamation al ali ha
yards. + " SUMNER
Colonel LIST Cavalry Commanding
Having read this to the Convention the Marshal asked
If they had any message to carry back Col sumner
The PRESIDENT OF The Convention told him that this was
not the Legislature, but a public conventon and that
they hae no reply to make The Marshal and Judge FL
more departed The Convention resumed its business,
but run or was soon In circulation that
OF the legislature which was to assemble at IL O'Clock
afraid to meet but willing TO be dispersed by
the proclamation. resolution offered by Mr.. VIM
Hutchinson, as follows
Resolved, That incumbent on the General As
sembly to convene at he time which adjourned and
Kansas and that any attempt on their part TO adjourn yield
viii 5e Violation Of that sacred duty for which their eon a
stuen's v ID ever hold them responsible.
Dir. HUTCHINSON introduced this with some PREDATORY
remarks. Mr. John HUTCHINSON took the stand and de-
clarcd himself in favor Of the resolution lie was mem
Der OF the legislature and should go TO the Assembly
and stay to per form his duty till force was employed 70
drive him or
Mr.. WATSON rose and opposed the resolution He was
not a member, but thought they should not assemble
He WAC m fAy0 0f NH
hitting and thought il would not do TO meet. 1t would
not do TO resist the troops when they had ordered
Mr.. ADDS, another member rose and said that he
in doubt about it. but he would go II he would be sus.
tanned or was deemed desirable he should. He was
met by shouts Of "Meet, mect'-"The resolution
"non't mind the proclamation
Col PHILIPS was then loudly called for and when he
speaking was hoo,ed down amidst the oudest cries
for "Phillps" Col Philips then spoke and said
Gentlemen Of Kanaas-In rising TO speak this reso
luon most heartily endorse the sentiment II contains
In this emergency and while conflicting opinions OF duty
and policy may prevail justified in telling the
members OF that Assembly convictions OF the cour,e
10 be pursued, and in what position you will meet and
sustain them Whether not there be truth In the re-
port that the General Assembly influenced by procama
tons from President Pierce, Gov shannon Col sum
intend 10 abandon their duties and adjourn such
trying circumstances the voice Of snch convention as
this may be with proprcty expressed.
hold that any attempt dispense that Assembly IL
an nfracton OF our civil rights under the constitution
and no mere proclamation ought to influence tn, Legsla-
ture TO retire from the performance of their duty
II be the intention OF the general government 10 make
violent attack upon such vital constitutional right by
the federal troops let the attack be made and LET the
Assembly be driven from their seats only ut the point OF
the bayonet.
do rse recommend organized resistance TO the
United states troops. Whether unhappy condition
may ever drive US to such expedent IL matter be
decided at another time and In another way. That Is
question Of duty and policy not involved this resolution
and which cannot conceive you are called upon TO de-
eide by this vote.
II President Pierce contemplate this most grievous out,
rage, the violent dispersion Of popular representative
body by the strong OF the federal troops IL come
We should DO nothing 10 recognize the moral legal
force OF any proclamation 10 elect such dispersion
under such threat
Let resistance be offered to the troops. let them
and execute this despotc order has been given
and let the spectacle will exhibit be viewed by the
people OF America and the civilized word. Trust me
there yet sufficient virtue in our common country 10
make this the heaviest blow for freedom that tho
salyocracy could strike in Kansas General cheerng)
Col, HALLWAY next spoke against the resolution, but
was very uniavorabiy received.
II was nearly noon, Tho Convention was st busiy At
work. The hour for the meeting OF the Legislature ap
and several Of the members Of the Legislature
bad entered the hall The two military companies OF
Topeka which bad been drl, were drawn up In from.
ri the legislative hall TO receive banner from the ladies'
band OF music was stationed at the end OF the line and
making the pace echo with martial strains whs
upwards OF two hundred dragons under Col sumner
galoped up and entered the city In three squadrons
With drawn sabres and martial array dashed up toward
the legislative building, where the two companies were
drawn up The two companies nobly kept their ground
and the musicians were playing In the finest style the
dragons dashed upon them The shrll Of Colonel
Sumner was heard crying, First squadron, form into
line, ana as The troops under that and other orders
formed into battle array around the hail. along the
street facing IT. the Is in the street. and those the
Convent couple ofcannon'possed up the street on
rice about one hundred yards on where they had Just
been planted, with their muzzles pointing down The
street. the grnner at their stations and the slow matches
lighted and burning. An army surgeon also with
em. his OF instruments oren and ready for use
Three other companies OF dragons the time ap
preached the town from the other side, and only
concealed while the force that entered up by the
strip " timber along the valley OF the Kansas.
Colonel sumner evidently much aetated bu, stern
and bis soldiers all looked II they expected terrible do
ngs. Having got his force disposed he wanted H.
Colonel SumIer, seeing there appearance either
ngbt ~ resistance. dismounet nom his horse He
informed that the companies drawn up front Of
the hail were there merely TO receive banner
idcs. He said that he did wish 20 interfere with
their assembling tho Fourth Of July Three cheers
given for Colonel sumner; Mr.. Redpain shouted
"Thrce cheers for Governor Rooinson,' which were
given with WILL ard else cried ree cheers
Nharfv VIII ala hoor chi