Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-07-10

imagined, when we recollect what a storm of
denunciation was at that moment pouring on
Reeders course.
Wili any one suppose that the satisfactory
explanation which ensnared, at such time,
the Executive into such an endorsement was
true narrative of his course past, of his Free
soil future purposes, and of his motives of ac-
ton?
Win any Of Reeder's Black Republican
friends, of those who sent him to the Senate
from bogus legislature, affect to believe that
Reeder's explanations which secured this ex-
traordinary endorsement was frank confess
sion of his intended as well as past treason ;
in a word, an avowal of the course he has
since pursued? Does any one suppose that
such truthful confession obtained for him
that high official endorsement?
Certainly no one even in the ranks of the
Republican party would advance such sup
position.
We ask these Black Republicans themselves,
who knowing Reeder's pro-slavery antecedents,
denounced the Executive for the appointment
as being intended to secure Kansas to the
South, what must have been Reeder's repre-
sensations, protestations, and promises, which
removed from the Executive mind the sus
pcions SO strongly supported by acts as we'll
as speech?
Could anything have sufficed short of the
most superlative, in his narrative of the past
in his protestations Of his present opinions and
promises for the future?
Can darker picture of deceit we'll be i'm
agined than must have been that of Reeder,
ensnaring the Executive endorsement? 1t is
quite as sickening, though not so widely dis
astrous as that of the beguiling serpent at
Ewes too trusting ear.
Reeder proved himself master in the Sc
ducing art he obtained the coveted public en-.
dorsement; but alas for short-sighted NOR.
tails, this his glory proved to be his shame.
The public official approval of his conduct
carried conviction to many minds that the Ex-
ecutive had been basely betrayed, and the
damning evidences of his immitigable corrup-
ton were laid before the Executive to open
his eyes to the character of the man.
From this exposure it became but too mani
fest that while some Orpheus with his silver
lutte enchanted him, the cursed Juice of Ere
soilism was distilled into the porches of his
ear, and infected his whole soul with the auri
sacra fumes Visions of wealth foated before
his infamed imagination-choice of sites,
official power, patronage and influence, in
locating towns, and the seat Of government
programmes of organized preparation for floods
of Free-soil population in contrast with the
tardy influx Of the South, was too much for his
easy viriue-he yielded himself to the arms of
the tempter-once in his grasp the gold-sick
governor became plastic as all scruple van
ished.
There were choice spots, but hitherto unat-
tainable by common men-but the tempters
thought that the governors hands were ex-
oficio salamanders, and that he could with
safety draw the chestnuts from the fire.
A citizen had sought to obtain certain of
these coveted localities, and had taken the usual
steps, and had made application to the depart
ment at Washington for the necessary papers.
A reply was given, in which it was stated that
these sites could not be located or taken by
our citizens, The reasons for this refusal were
so fully aud so strongly stated that the party
asking the confirmation of has purchase &C
knowledged their entire propriety, and he adds,
that Governor Reeder had read this reply be-
fore he undertook to enter, and to obtain con.
6rmation fthese identical locations. But the
fire at Washington was hotter than he and his
tempters had imagined, for the governor got
his fingers badly burned. The excoriating
rebuke for this corrupt violation of duty will
stand an enduring record Of one eminent vic
tim to Freesoil seduction
The demonstration Of this prohigate use of
his position gave the Executive such well.
founded distrust Of his explanations, protesta.
tons, and professions, that his instant separa.
ton from the duties Of governor alone offered
safety against his treachery. he was accord
ingly notified before his return, that, as matters
honorable duties Of governor.
From that day Reeder threw of all disguise.
and seeks, by bis fraudulent and frantic vic.
lence, to out.Herod Herod in his Free soilism.
Of the other leaders, we have space to say
little more than er uno disco omnes. Colonel
Lanes desertion of his wife and his attempted
fraud on the Senate and his conviction thereof
sufficiently stamp him a fit instrument for such
purpose as the forming Of "Topeka con.
Governor Reeder, in his private letter pub |
lished, avows the ilegality of his proceedings,
engages in treason, while confessing il to be
such, and skulks to escape from an open
and impartial trial. when he would show
to the world, at least, his honesty, if he were
honest no matter what the decision of the
Jury.
Who were there who constructed the topeka