Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1856-09-04
FROM KANSAS.

FROM KANSAS.
We publish in another column, letter from
Kansas signed by five persons formerly resi-
dents of the Eastern part of this County We
commend it to the attention of those who are
so loudly proclaiming that the troubles in Kan
sas, are exaggerated for political effect. The
Signers Of this letter are well known in the
eastern portion of the County, and their repu-
tation for candor and veracity need no endorse
ments from US to those acquainted with them
The Mcssrs. SHUMwAY are sons Of Cyrus SHUM-
WAY, Esq of Tuscarora. Mr.. RICHARD is Il
son-in-law, and Mr. .CHAMBERLIN was from Wya-
Using township. They are all young men :;
who emigrated to Kansas territory for the pur-
pose of settling upon its fertile plains, and pur
suing the peaceful occupations to which they
had been bred. s .s.
1t may seem strange that there should be
those in the North so far led astray by politi-
cal feeling, as to be willing to see their neigh
borS WHO have emigrated to Kansas, plunder-
ed and murdered by the border rnf1ians, and if
not directly approving of the excesses of the pro-
slavery forces, at least seeking for excuses to
palliate and excuse the outrageS pcrpetrated
upon the unotfending and peaceful free settlers
The majority of the emigration from the North
has been made up of men like the Messrs
SHrMwAY, who have gone to Kansas to cult
vate its soil, and form for themselves and their
children home in that fair land. On the
contrary, the Southern emigration has been
the refuse of the cities, like Buford's gang,
reckless, diSsipated adventures, with no OBJ
ject except to plmder and drink whskey.
These men, having neither the desire nor
the proper implements to cultivate the soil.
have encamped in various convenient points
and have subsisted upon supplies furnished
from Missouri, and by depredatious upon the
property of the Free State farmers. Instead
of the condition of the Territory being exag-
gerated, report has not done justice to the hor-
rlble condition of affairs there Robbery, mur-
der and violence have reigned supreme The
inhabitants have been kept in constant terror
from the incnrsions Of these lawlcss despera-
does Having become cXasperated beyond en-
durance, from the wrongs suffered, the Free
State settlers have attacked two of the most
obnoxious forts, and driven off the Border
rufians
1t would be supposed, that in the effort to
protect their families and property, the Free
State settlers would at least have the svmpa-
thies of their neighbors We know that the
people of the Eastern States are quiet, law
abiding, peaceabIc citizens. Have they forgot
ten their early education, and become at once
ruhians and desperadoes On the contrary,
the border ruffians are composed of that semi
barbarous class always found on the outskirts
of civilization, joined with the olTrscourngs of
Southern cities, enlisted for the express pur-
pose of exterminating the Free State men in
Kansas. Where should be the feeling of eve
ry Freeman in Bradford in such contest .
Are yOu willing to see your friends and neigh
bors in Kansas murdered in cold blood or dri-
ven from the Territory, that Slavery may have
undisputed possession What hope is there
for Freedom or Justice in Kansas, if the peo
pie of the North stand tamely by, and permit
the suhjugation of the Free Settlers there p
If the North will not strike in such a cause
we have no hope that the inexorable Slave
power will relax for a single moment its infer
nal purpose.