Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-01-31
Kansas and Civil War.


However much the rumor of war with Eng
land is entitled to consideration the fact of a
war in Kansas glares boldly cut before US. We
have watched us everybody else has DONE the
progress of the settlers in Kansas, and have
heard not one word of elimination offered to
their conduct until now. The only crime that
they were accused Of, was that they had emf
grated to Kansas, and were industriousiy seek
ing to form State institutions ccngenia to them
selves. While so doing, the South, fearing lest
the immoral and corrupting Institution of Slave
ry should not receive all defence have, not by
emigrating to, or furnishing settlers for Kansas,
but by arming band of ruffans to go to the
Territory to prevent the legal franchise of the
inhabitants. 70 such an extent is this illegal
business to be carried, that its leaders are call
ing upon, and the South are adding force to,
and reiterating the call for volunteers to force
Slavery upon the Territory.
And now the President takes it upon himself
to send a special message to an unorganized
House, and for whose disorganization he and
his party are alone responsible. In this mes.
sage, which was sent in on the Oath, the Presi-
dent says
Circumstances have occurred to disturb the
course of Government in Kansas, producing
condition of things which renders it incumbent
on him to call the attention Of Congress to it,
and he urgently recommends the adoption of
such measures the exigency seems to require
lie alludcs enthusiastically to the principles en-
hraced in the Kansas Nebraska Act and the sys
TEN of Government, and the laws passed to put
it in operation and adds that while Nebraska
was successfully organized, the organization of
Kansas was long delayed--was attended by Sc
rious difficulties and embarrassmcnts partly from
local nlal-administration, and partly from the
unjustifabe interference Of the inhabitants of
some States, with views foreign to the interests
and rights Of the Territory.
Gov. Reedcr, instead of constant vigilance in
the exercise Of his duties, allowed his attention
to be devated from his official obligations by
other objects, thereby himself setting an exam
pie Of violation Of law and duty, which render
ed his removal necessary.
lie aludes to the msdirected zeal of the prop
agandist emigration as the source of the clash
ing of the Slavery and anti Slavery interests,
ticipate or force a determination of that ques-
ton in this inchoate State
The first Legislative Assembly, whatever may
have been the informaities of its election, was
) for all practical purposes Il lawful body. lr
this connection, the President reviews Gov
Reeder's conduct regarding the removal of the
seat Of Government, and his refusal to sign bills
passed by that body. Tie then adds that the
lll-leeling in Kansas has now reached such a
point that 1t threatens the peace, not only OF
Kansas, but of the Union
Relative to the recent Convention which form
cd a Free State Constitu ton, he says it was
party and not the people who acted thus con-
trary to the principles Of public law and prac-
tce under the Constitution of the United States
and the rule OF right and common sense. The
movement In opposition to the constitutional
authorities in Kansas is revolutionary in iu
character, and should it reach the point of or
ganized resistance, it will be reasonable insur-
rection, which it will be the duty of the FEEDER
, al Government to suppress.
lie then adds that it is not for the Presiden
to define the duties of the States or Territories
or to decide whether a law is wise or unwise
just or unjust. 1t is his duty to cause it to b,
t executed The great popular prerogative o
3, sell-govcrnment must be respected. 1t is TIL
, Presidents duty to preserve order in the Terri
tory, and vindicate the laws, whether federal O
local, and protect the people in the full enjoy
ment OF self government from all encroachment
i from without.
L Although the serious and threatening dstur
G Dances announced by Gov Shannon in Dccem
!. Der last, were queted without the effuson o
n blood, there is reason to apprehend renewed dis
= order there, unless decided measures be forth
J. with taken to protect them. The Presiden
y concludes that when the inhabitants of Kansa
: shall desire State government, and be of sui
Hcient numbers for the formation of State
that the proper course will be for convention
Of delegates to prepare Constitution.
The President therefore recommends the en-
: acment OF q law to that effect, in order tina
D the admission of Kansas into the Union as
State may be considered in Il lawful and prope
s manner, and further, that special appropria
Q ton be made to deiray any expenses which ma,
become requisite in the execution of laws AM
4 in tle maintenance Of public order in that Ter
ritory.
/; The message like his annual one is but reit
y Grafton of Southern bullyism, and filled wit
G mental servility to the South. And when
President so far overreaches the bounds Of
republican government as to array himself an
# his menials on the side of sectional party, hi
s monarchal strides must be met with boldnes
IS and determination. The course of the plural
ty party in the House cannot receive too hig
- commendation Our institutions of Frecdol
:, must be preserved. Our land must be rid
i the curse The Black Democracy are boun
e upon driving Kansas to the swerd, and the wa
It cannot remain with her people. 1t must not b
confined to her shores. The cause is ours--an
in the language of Patrick Henry, =" IF we wis
=. to be free if we mean to preserve nvolat
0, those inestimabe prvaliges for which we hay
Is been SO long contending; if we .Aean not bas
% ly to abandon the noble struggle in which "
have been so long engaged, and which we ha,
pledged ourselves never to abandon, until IL
= glorious object of our contest shall be obtained
n we must fight repeat it, sir we must fgll
J. An appeal to arms and to God of hosts, is a
IS that is left us.
y There is no retreat but in submission an
% Slavery Our chains are forged Their clanl
ing may be heard on the plains of Boston
s. Kansas The war is inevetable and let
come tEepeat it, sir, let it come