The Kansas herald of freedom., 1856-03-01
From tie Michigan Free Dem4eras.
Shall Kansas be Defended


among four similar ones, received by u
since Saturday morning, for the reaso1
that its suggestions lead to theimpres
sion that it is the design of the fiends o
Kansas in this State, to build ID mere
military expedition, to be sent there ii
behalf of Freedom. From the outset
the talk has been of raising an enterpris'
of emigration by families, whep practic
able, and by young men able atd-willine
to bear arms in their own deenee ant
that of Freedom. A mere army o
fighting men has not been contemplated
aud we fully agree with the author of thi
communication, that such an army woulC
not be the most effecual mode of rem
dering permanent assistance to Kansas
II is necessary that men should go there
who, after the fghtingis is over, it unfor
tunately any fighting should become ne
cessary, will be ready. and able, and will
ing to take up and WELD the weapons o
ordinary life. The backsmith's ham.
mer and the woodman's axe, and not the
rifle, are the engines which must be look
ed to to dignity free labor in Kansas, and
to render it useful by rendering it profit
able. 1t is the struggle between the
privileged class and the self-dependent
workers, which is now going on in Kan
sas it is that very organic division
which, in the words of Mr.. Seward, at
Albany last autumn, sis now seeking to
divide community on that SOIL" Il
would be useless to send thither men
who have conscientious scruples against
bearing arms for the defence of their OWL
fireside, men unfamiliar with the use ot
arms, or those who, from timidity, ex-
treme youth or extreme age, or from any
other cause whatever, would not be able
to bear arms effectively, should occasion
call for it. Peaceable men, of a fighting
age and condition, who can till the soil
work at the bench or forge, superintend
machinery, and perform the various du'
ties of active life in a new country, and
who fear not the hardships incident
thereto, are the men to send thither
Mere adventures, going for the excite
ment of the skirmish or hope of plum
der, although perhaps of some use in the
hour of danger. ale not the men princi-
pally to be sought. Neither is it neces-
sary to confine emigration to the class
who have been skilled, by previous prac-
tice, in warfare. There are few farmers
o,,d Il bopi,.s .l,,,-x,nuntrv thar. a 20
few athletic laboring men, who do not
know the use of the rifle, and the re-
naming tactics and discipline would soon
be taught them by competent officers
who are already there, or who, if needs
be, will accompany them. The fears of
our correspondent, nor those whom he
represents, need be excited that body
of lawless soldiery, who can do nothing
but fight, will be sent to be turned loose
upon Kansas from the free States. There
is no such class here, nor are there indi-
viduals enough scattered through COM
munity, to form such class, in any con-
siderable numbers. The mass who will
60 will be those whose design is to till
the soil, drive the necessary trades. and
acquire competency for themselves and
families. The leaven of soldiership
which will mix with this strong element,
will not naturally be greater than will be
necessary to give the mass organization,
discipline and efficiency. With these
remarks, we submit the following COM
munication:
MEssRs. EDITORS OF THE ADVERTISER ::
1t seems to be conceded by all parties
that the advantages which the friends of
Freedom obtained over their antagonists
in the late Kansas war, can be maintain
ed only by Immediately pouring into that
Territory living stream from the free
States. Efforts to this end are now being
made in various parts of the country =
is Michigan doing her share of the work?
A few spirited and noble-hearted men
it is true, have declared their readiness
to contribute large sums of money to-
ward the expense of organizingand send
ing out bands of armed men, but cannot
the desired end be better attained by
sending out companies organized on a
peaceful basis? Fighting men may, and
probably will be. wanted to contend for
the great question of human rights
which is at issue; add to this question the
hearthstone, and wives and children to
defend, and the contest at once becomes
one of personal interest. Let us 60,
then, with our household gods, with the
of peaceful pursuits, and, at
the same time, with declaration that no
threats of violence, that no force of arms
shall cause US 10 swerve, for a moment,
from our determination to remain there
as the advocates of Freedom, and the
moral effect upon the slave extensionists
will be irresistible. 1t viii declare, in
unmistakable language, the estimate in
which We hold their bravado.
The best materials for developing the
resources of new country are those
men who hold the middle rank in older
communities. The farmer, the mechan-
ic, and the d-6sted laboring man are,
by their habits of industry, best fitted to
subdus the rude face Of nature. and to
open the way for the advance of civili-
cation. The great objection which indi-
viduals of this class have to organization,
is the sacrifice of personal inconvenience
which it involves. Society, comfortable
homes, religious and educational advan-
tages have to be resigned fora cherries
isolation. For such sacrifices, cheap
lands and possible independence by and
by, afford but Indifferent compensation.
Should some plan be adopted for the re-