Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-07-19

be perfectly free TO form and regulate their do
nestle institutions in their own way
Relying on this last national assurance, many
people from Free States, as well as from Slave
States, settled in Kansas and how has that
assurance been kept Neither the Executive
nor Congress has redeemed that plighted faith
or executed that law. ] state, from informa-
tion which regard as entirely reliable, and as
facts which | believe capable Of the most un-
Questionable proof, which can at any time be
presented, that Of the 0 23l votes cast 10 March,
1855, for the election Of the Legislative As
sembly of Kansas, 1921 Of them were cast by
armed bands Of the inhabitants of Missouri,
who invaded Kansas for that purpose on that
occasion that only ,4l0 legal votes were cast,
and a majority Of those were for the Free State
candidates, though most Of the Free State vo-
iers were driven from the polls. This iuvas-
ion extended 10 all the Council Districts, and
TO all the Representative Districts bot one, and
elected and controlled a large majority Of both
Houses. The people of the Territory have not
been left free. but have been invaded and sub
jngated. and they are, and their institutions
have been, controlled by the people OF Missou-
ri, through aud by the tyrannic laws enacted
by that Assembly, and more tyrannically en-
forced by the officers by them appointed. These
laws, so made by usurpation, the Executive Of
this Government has aided to enforce, and in
Congress no relief has been granted. The
complaints and representations Of this usurpa-
tion aud perversion Of the organic act have Seen
represented here as complaints of mere irreg-
ulariiy, and been treated BY the Senate with
apparent Indifference and neglect, as no meas
ure even Of inquiry into their truth has been
instituted.
The people Of Kansas, thus oppressed and
subjugated, have complained and struggled in
vain. They have done as they understood the
people Of other Territories had done before
them that is, formed State Constitution, in
viting all to participate therein, and presented
the same TO Congress for admission. All such
attempts have but brough, down on them the
reProach of being traitors and subyeriers Of
authority.
Abandoned to their oppressors, the Free
Stale people Of Kansas have been pursued BY
them in The same spir, which made the inva-
sion. The acts of said Assembly have by their
officers been made the color for all forms Of
political persecution and oppression. Indict-
menis for constructive ueasons and pretended
nuisances deprive them Of liberty and destroy
their property. Under the form Of Sheriff
posses, armed bands Of people from without
the Territory prowl over it and take and de-
s,roy property and lives, aud in,imdaie and
drive off the Free State people. These yeo-
pie have thus, for several months past, been
harassed and scattered, and any attempt at
sef-defenee has been repressed by the army of
the United States, or been declared CONSTRUCTING
treason, and treated accordingly. The settlers
have thus in large numbers been driven from
their settlements and from the Territory. This
is but brief and feeble statement Of the facts.
A full picture Of the public atrocities and pri-
vate violence which have been committed with
impuuiiy upon the Free Siaie people Of Kansas
would excite and arouse the deepest sentiment
of indignation.
II would seem to be demanded by a sense Of
common justice, and by what this nation owes
as well TO the cause Of truth as 10 its own char
acier and sef-respeci, that inquiry should be
made, aud usurpaton be suhdued, aud the pub
lie faith be redeemed, by redressing all the
wrongs produced by such means. This is not
proposed, nor is The law Of repose to be resior-
ed, or the Constitution already formed to be al
lowed.
But. instead Of this. ii is now proposed to
consummaie the whole by leaving usorpation
in possession of its power, and provide no Sc
curiiy for those they imprison, oppress. and
disperse, but provide that those nolS there, and
those only, shall determine the definite condi-
tion of that Territory by now forming State
Constitution. This is but TO encourage yio-
lence by rewardng i, with success. That any
result Of such an experiment will producs.de
mite national peace and satisfaction. is TO sup
pose the people Of this country blind to the
power Of ordinary discernmeni, or lost to every
sentiment of justice and humanity.
j. COLLAMER.
Gn n u T. = ID N n N n ~ rR