The Davenport daily gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1869, 1856-08-30
Ahira IN Yansas.


On the basis Of conversation with IN
intelligent gentleman recently from Kan
sas Territory, and who 10 represented TO DC
intimately acquainted with the state Of Al
fairs there, the Chicago Press comes to the
conclusion .tha, however alarming tae pres
en-, indications, matters are not quite %
serious an was at first supposed, The re-
ports have been grossly exaggerated by the
papers In the interest Of the pro-slaVery
party, for the purpose of srousing to as,li
higher pitch the rufisn spirit OF the border
counties; but the recent skirmishes have
been rather accidental rencoun,ers than
preparatory etsps to regular hostilities, and
the probabilities are that another oppor,u-
nity will be allowed for the proper settle.
ment Of the difficulties without resor;ing 10
fnsl xrb,rament OF blood. We copy the
concluding portion Of wha, the Press says
On the subject -
mo auemp, has been made to release
the prisoners held in duress for Politesi OF
| fences at Lecompton. Gov. koeiDsoa anu
most of the other prisoners are hostile 70
INV demonstration in their favor, when
| would make ~ar, thus resulting IN defence
4 ~ their persons, instead of RESISTANCE 10
t,r,he, AGGRESSION. There have been lew
o,her ,kirmishes growing out Of these d'i-
scnl1is. Al the present tms great ei,
-, h being made all aiong the Missouri
r.rlars "a raise an army 10 march INTO
E.nss. and oyeiwhelm the Free STATE
--,,lements. Ii 10 asserted that 1000 men
-, under arms on the 23a inst, ready 70
march: but these h-ures are probably ea-
sggerated. We also learn that several
| rompa MES fresh from the South have gone
award the Territory, via ST. Louis. within
die past week. In anticipation OF the ~
yasion, there has been q ralIying OF tue
| Free State forces not general one
throughout the Territory, but there are
| neatly thousand men, stationed at diner-
| en-, points near Lawrence, prepared to meet
auy invading force, aud should any suen
force enter The Territory acoilsion would
be Inevitable.
The Pre-. avery raen, however, have IN
dicated their own weakness BY applying 10
The military. volunteering 10 help them --
That General Smith will accept the assist
npee ofany army from Missouri is scarcely
| likely. as he well knows he would be vi
,erIv unable 10 control IT. VIC think II
| probable thai Gen. Smith has BY this time
/ concentrated all his available force IN the
| Territory in the Valley OF the Kansas XIV
er. and il he has done so, there Will De no
| further hosuhties for the present. a. the
Free State men nave ne desire to fight the
troops. i. Is on this superstition that we
conclude that we are net yet on the poihs
OF that threatening war which has been oy
many anticipated.
Il The Free State settlers, although many
things have operated against them TINS
summer, sre at this moment strobg Tor de-
fence as we'll ~ resistance. The presence
u threatening army from Missouri q
the South, would be the bugle blast to raj
, IL force not much short OF TWO thousan'
men. part of these are well srmed, an'
all would be srmed in some shape. Thel
have ammunition for present wants, blu
! should there be one or more weeks fghtin.
: they would be short Of necessary supplies
A part OF the funds raised in aid Of the Ter
| riiory had resched il.
Be; The greatest security OF the Ire
: State settlers rests on their own nerve
e They have hitherto suffered much, an
have reached point when il IS not e
teemed a virtue 10 suifer more. They vii
resis, aggression Of the power sttemp,ln!
, TO crush them, whenever il Is Violent.
: made. Hence it is likely that hostilities
I even should they net occur now, will err
long.
The crops in the Territory are good, d
far az any crop was got in, but serious In
! ipry ives inflicted on the agricultural int
, reefs by the difficulties and wsrlke opers
tons May sad June. There j. Plent
Of proyl.ipns in the Territory il there
money enough to bay them. Health wa
generally good, sthough there had been
few cases VI lever and ague when our IN
formani left"