The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1856-06-14
kan.as---A Letter from Gov. Reeder.

hansaS.ssA Letter from Gov Ree0ers
The St. Louis papers publish, as part of
the testimony elected by the congressional
committee in Kansas, letter
from Gov. Reeder, written to Gov. Robinson,
from Washington, in February last. The
letter contains some curious facts, and throws
considerable light upon the origin OF the
late outrsgcs in that unfortunate territory.
1t has hitherto been stOutly commended by
the abolitionists that the free state party IN
Kansas never resisted the regularly eonsti-
tuted authorities Of the territory, and in the
formation of their government at Topeka
never intended to set up a government in
opposition to tina. provided by the Kansas
organic law Their intention was simply,
$50 said Colamer's report, and so say now
all the free state mem to frame constitu.
ton under which they proposed to ask ad-
mission into the Union, and had nointention
TO enforce its provisions until so admitted.
The letter of Gov. Reeder contradicts all
this and shows it to have been an after
thought. 1t is due to Gov. r. to say, how
ever, that he was opposed to the plan, and
was overborne by Lane and other hot heads.
The following extract from the letter, while
it shows that set of laws had been put in
force in opposition to the territorial govern
ment, shows also how unwise even Gov.
Reeder regarded the movement.
Gas for putting a set Of laws in force in
opposition to the territorial government"
saws Gov. r., "what consummate folly is
there in such move? You will have seen
Pierce's message. Suppose we had occupied
the ground wished Of the mere adoption
of the constitution, and election Of officers
for the purpose Of applying for admission,
what ground would Pierce have had to stand
on, or how much of his message would have
been left He is not the only man who is
backward and lukcwarm towards us. For
this reason they say they cannot sustain US
in the position of resistance to the territorial
government, and you will find, think, that
Douglas will also take that ground; but
want you to understand me distinctly that
do not talk thus publicly to our enemies. |
may speak my plain and private opinion in
letters TO our friends in Kansas, for it is my
duty, but to the public, as you will see 10y
my public letter, show no divided front.
In the same letter we have also some
strange statements in reference TO aid from
without upon which it appears the free state
men III Kansas were encouraged TO rely, and
which doubtless greatly emboldened them
in their high handed attempt to set the ter
ri.orial government at defiance. In few
months, there is no doubt, they were con-
fiert they would have force and means
en- ugh at their disposal to compel even the
general government to succumb. The letter
continues:
"You will have seen that Gov Chase, Of
Ohio, aud Gov Clark, of New York, have
sent in special messages, and the legislatures
showed some disposition to act. ! have seen
the draft Of a bill Confidently to be offered
in the Ohio legislature TO appropriate two
hundred thousand dollars to send men TO
Kansas. These movements Weakened up Mr..
Pierce, and he to-day issues his Proclamation
in which he faces north, south, east and west,
and SAYS, everybody has done wrong, and
that nobody has the advantage of anybody
in that respect, and that all must observe
the law, and that he will whip you free state
men into orderly citizens, and when you
obey the laws he will protect you.
l learn. also, that 'IeNcTai Oh Soiiie Cob-
sequence in Ohio is raising one hundred and
fifty able bodied young men on his own
hook whom he intends TO take out at once,
each armed with rife and revolver.
Was this the poor abused territory OF
Kansas, humbly knocking at the door Of
congress for admission into the Union to RID
themselves of odious and oppressive laws
imposed upon them by bogus legisla-
ture - Far from it. They had set those
laws at defiance. They had even elected
their own governor and officers, and adopted
laws of their own and set the territorial 60
ve.nment Of the |. 5. at defiance. Ard TO
sustain them in these high handed measures
they were encouraged to rely for aid on
Ohio, Massachusetts,, &c. Is it strange that
such 4 reasonable course, (for it was nothing
else involved them in unpleasant difficulties?
Doubtless the treatment they received at the
hands of the Georgians, Carolinians, &c,
when they were let loose upon them was Sc
verc-outrages may have been committed
that even the laws of war would not justify.
bu; was 1t not almost the inevitable and ma
tural consequence of their own folly in the
first instance.