Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-07-12
Report Of the Kansas Investigating Conn
mittee.


mittee.
The report Of the Kansas investigating com
miitee, although plain and calm statement Of
facts sustained by sworn evidence, is the mosl
important and exciting document over presented
to Congress. 1t will produce profound sen.
saiion throughout the country. The main fact,
sc, forth have been frequently stated on undoub
ted authority, but they are so arranged by III,
committee as to present a connected history o
the monstrous frauds and usurpations by which
the ruilians Of slavery have obtained the ccotro
Of Kansas, and to leave no room for doubt OF
cayil henceforth among honest men anywhere
as to the right and wrong of the Kansas diff
cullies. 1t is impossible for US TO print the
document in full, but il will be issued ia large
numbers at Washington and New York, and o
copy of it should be placed 10 the hands Of ev-
cry voter in the whole Union.
The committee present with their report, the
journal of their proceedings and the record Of
the testimony taken before them. They intro
duce the report with the following statement
Your committee deem it their duty 10 state,
as briefly as possible, the principal facts proven
before them When the act to organize the
territory of Kansas was passed on - day Of
May, 1854, the greater portion Of its eastern
border was included in Indian reservations not
IN uafflau.nt al l..
white settlers in any portion OF the territory
It's Indian population was rapidly decreasing,
while many emigtanis from different paris Of
our country were anxiously waiting the exlinc-
ton Of the Indian title, and the establishment
OF territorial government, 10 seek new homes
in its fertile psairies. It cannot be doubted
that il its condition as free territory had been
left undisturbed by Congress, its settlement
would have been rapid, peaceful and prns.
porous. Its climate, soil, and its easy access
to the older settlements would have made il the
favored course for the tide Of emigration con-
stantly flowing to the West, and, BY this time.
it would have been admitted into the Union as
free state, without the least sectional excite
ment. IL so organized, none but the kindest
feeling could have existed between il and the
adjoining state. Their mutual interests and
intercourse, instead of, as now, eudangering
the harmony Of the Union, would have strength
ened the ties Of national motherhood. The ties.
timony clearly shows, that before the PROPOSE
ton TO repeal the Missouri compromise was in
irodnced 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 remoy.
ed by the action of Congress, the aspec, of az
fairs entirely changed The whole coun,r,
was agitated by the re-opening of a controversy
which conservative men in different section.
hoped had been settled in every state and terri
tory by some law beyond the danger of repeal
The excitement which has always accompanied
the discussion Of the slavery question, wa.
greatly increased by the hope on the one hanc
OF extending slavery into region from which
it had been excluded by law and on the othe,
by sense Of wrong done by what was regard
ed as dishonor Of national compact. Thi,
excitement was naturally transferred into The
border counties Of Missouri and the territory
as settlers favoring free or slave institution,
moved into it, A new difficulty occurred
Different constructions were pu, upon the or
ganc law. 1t was contended by the one part,
that the right to hold slaves in the territory ex
listed. and that neither the people nor the terri
torial legislature could prohibit slavery-tha
that power was alone possessed by the peopI,
when they were authorized 10 form a state gov
eminent 1t was commended that the remova
Of the restriction virtually established SLAYER,
in the territory. This claim was urged b,
many prominent men in western Missouri. VIII,
actively engaged in the Affairs of the territory
Every movement Of whatever character which
tended TO establish free institutions was regard
ed as an interference with their rights.
Within a few days after the organic Law
passed, and as soon as its passage could b,
known on the border, leading citizens of Mis-
souri, crossed into the territory, held squaitel
meetings. and then returned to their homes
Among their resolutions are the following;
"That we will afford profession 10 no aboli
ZIONIST as settler of this territory"
"Ihat we recognize the institution of slave
ry as already existing in this territory, and ad
wise Shareholders TO introduce their properly a,
early as possible"
Similar resolutions were passed in variou,
parts of the territory, and by meetings in sever
al counties Of Missouri Thus the first e. flee
Of the repeal of the restriction against SLAYER,
was to substitute the resolves of sqnailer meet
inss, composed almost exclusively Of citizen,
Of single state, for the deliberate action o
Congress, acqneseed in for thirty-fve years.
This unlawful interference has been coniin
ued in every Important event ia the history o.
rue territory; every election has been controlled
not by the actual settlers, but by citizens Of
Missouri, and as consequence every officer in
the territory, from consiablos to Legislators. ex.
eePl those appointed by the president, owe theil
positions to nonresident voters. None hab,
been elected BY The settlers, aud your committee
Aare been unable 10 find thai any pol,tieal pore,
s0hafeor, hooerer un-inpOrfanf, has been erere;s.
cd by ihs people Of he territory.
The committee then proceed to give his
tory Of the invasions at the different election,
and Of the ouirages perpeIrated, the following