Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1856-11-28

From the Washington Union.
An APPEAL FOR THE SUFFERERS IN KANSAS.
When we reflect upon the occurrences in
Kansas during the past summer and autumn,
We cannot fail to be deeply impressed with
the condition of her people during the com
ing winter. Her settlements are distant from
granaries and storehouses of the States Had
her settlers been permitted to plant and har-
vest undsturbed she could have produced
but a small portion of the provisions necess-
airy for the winter. But we know that few
planted and scarcely one harvested, owing to
the frightfnl disorders and atrocities which
filled the land. The meats and breadstuffs of
Kansas are limited to more trifling quantities
OF clothing, her domestic manufactures have
produced none. Owing to the distance Of
transportation and its hazards, the precari-
BUSINESS of credit and uncertainty of returns,
provisions and clothing are sparingly sent to
Kansas, and are held at enormous prices.
The few who can command means to provide
themselves for winter do 80 OF an
appalling cost. But ,phdt is 10 become Of
the thousands Who have neither means, credit,
nor friends' The unnatural and stimula-
ted immigration of the last year for poll
teal purposes has sent its thousands, perhaps
tens of thousands. to Kansas without means.
and many without ability and qualifications
for new country employments, not a few of
whom have wives and children dependent and
helpless. Large numbers of these have
scarcely shelter of any kind. and very few
have those suitable to protect from prairie
winds and the severity Of n Kansas Winter.
Thousands of those recklessly hurried forward
are known to be thoughtless and improvident
and are now without anything deserving the
name of bed or bedding, without suitable
clothing to protect them from the incemen-
If : ba nd bpIn nod
With more than four months of winter before
them, and full eight before harvest ,chdt
is 10 beoOm. of suth men and Their helpless
families They have not the means to return
to their former homes, and none to supply
indispensable wants where they are. II the
coming winter partakes OF the severity of the
past Il hundred must perish by cold and famine
where one has fallen in the recent civil war
Without a 1.-THE OF the present overcharged
population, or the startling want of provisions
and clothing, several persisted last win
ter. The bona fde settlers are comparatively
well provided for the Winter. But those
who were forwarded by aid and political SO.
ceties to secure political eff ut are in II most
helpless and wretchei condition. To great
extern they are wholly unqualified for new
country life, and are mainly without Friends
at hand, or the means OF credit. Their con.
diton calls loudly upon the svmpithies OF
the humane in all parts of the country. AL
though the victms-and, perhaps, the will
| ing victims-of political demagoguos. still
they are our fellow men, and should com.
mand our sympathies and excite our liberal
! Ity. We cannot deny that there would be
much justice in requiring the necessary
relief at the hands Of those who have
| plunged these thousands into their dep
distress; still, We trust that their sufTarin,s
will awaken the sympathies of the charitable
and benevolent everywhere. and that il
Kansas sufferers may be suitably cared FIR.
Unless early and efficient measures are
adopted to guard against famine in Kapsas,
no one can foresee the fatal consequences to
which it may lead-frst, in the dcspairing
effort to sustain and prolong life, and then in
the work of death itself. Without relief, the
imaginary scenes Of the past may become
tragic history.
This is from the organ of Mr.. Pierce's ad-
ministration. What the Union SAYS about
" bona fde settlers" or those 'forwarted by
aid and political societies for political effect,
are capable OF discrimination. The aek
no0ledg.i suffering in Kansas. md the duty
of rendering generous and prompt assistance
is the essential point. When journal, pub
lished in a slaveholding district, under inAuen
e,s every wayunfavorable to the free state set
lsrs in Kansas and hitherto bitterly prejudcec
against them, holds such language as this
will it be believed that any public journal il
free State can be found willing to find faul
with the humane ap preparation of our Legis
| l,ture for the aid of the starving settlers
But there seems to be one. 1t is the Burling-
ton Scntnel-not the Squatter Souereign,-
which says
LEGISLATIVE This body adjourned yesterday
passing as its last act law approprining $50, 00
to aid the adventures, beggars, drunkards, am
maraudeis which have volunteered to go 10 Kansa
under the auspices Of Ben Newton.
The contrast between the humane appea
of the Union and this snarling paragraph o
its fellow partizan is suggestive enough
| without comment.