The Kansas herald of freedom., 1856-11-29
The Party.

Tne RaTLys
We had purposed reporting at length
the proceedings Of the Thanksgiving
party, held in this place on the after
noon and evening of the Goth inst; but
an official account was put in our
hands after we had placed the remarks
of Mr. Branscomb and Mr.. Brown in
type, SO we concluded to withhold any
further report by ourself,. giving those
oaly, which we copy below, together
with,a poem intended to be read on the
occasion, but which was forgotten, in
the general hilarity of the evening. The
party was very generally attended by
our leading citizens. AS the first of the
kind held in Kansas, it deserves con-
siderable prominence.
1t is to be regretted that Gov. GEARY
was prevented from being present, his
official duties calling him in another
direction. The avails of the party IN
ured to the benefit of the Free State
prisoners at Lecompton, of which there
was something over $40.
The following are Mr.. BRANscoMB' S
remarks at length, in reply to the toast,
which will be found in preceding
column
This is festive occasion. We are
supposed to be surrounded by circum-
stances, the character of which excites
in us feelings of gratitude ts God, the
giver of every good and perfect gift.
Ws are called upon, IN the procla-
nation of Gov. Geary, to render thanks
to the Almighty, for blessings re-
eeived.
We have reason to thank Gov GEARY,
for requesting the citizens of Kansas to
observe custom dear to every Ameri-
can who loves to contemplate that self
sacrificing devotion to principle and to
conscience, which made heroic the lives
of our puritan fathers. The institu-
tion of thanksgiving originated in New
England. 1t is now, however, en-
phatically an American custom, observ-
ed generally throughout the States, with
the exception of few, whose inhabi-
tants affect to despise whatever comes
from New England-New England
principles-New England institutions
New England men and women, and
even New England Saw mills.
This custom is one of deep signifi-
canoe. 1t has it's lesson for US to-day.
Shall we profit by it?
Our fathers lived in land of des-
potism. They were denied the exer-
else ofinalienable rights-rights which
rod has given to every man, and which
therefore cannot be wrested from him
without violating the will of God
They were subjected to laws not of
their own choosing, but forced upon
them by tyrants. Banished from their
country, they bravel the dangers of un-
known seas, and, amidst the rigors of
the severest weather, landed upon the
shores of a wilderness, here to acquire
for themselves that guaranty of protec-
tion, in the possession of God-given
rights, which was denied them in their
native land.
Many years afterwards, the descend
ants of these brave men and women,
true to the principles which had been
instilled into their minds by their noble
and believing that "Resis-
tance to tyranny is obedience to God"
struck blow for Freedom,
which resounded throughout the world
from the thraldom of kings
who swayed an irresponsible power
freedaaa from the despotism of Parlia-
ments,. who forced upon the people.
against their earnest protest, the most
unrighteeus laws.
Fellow citizens, what cause of graft
tude had our fathers? Was it because
the blessings of a good government
were not secured to them? Was it
because they could not sit under their
own vine and fig tree, and worship God
according to the dictates of their own
with none to modest or
make afraid? Was it because they
were governed by an irresponsible mon
arch, whose purpose was to rule with
an iron sceptre? Was it because the
Parliament of England foreign body,
in which they had not the right of
representation---imposed upon them
by fraud and violence the most tyran-
nieal laws? Or. rather, did they not
thank God that somewhere on His foot
stool, He had given them land, though
wild and uncultivated, though often
overshadowed by inclement skies, an!
INHABITED by the merciless Indian, yet
a land in which they might possess and
enjoy unmolested the rights of con-
science?
Did they not. rather, thank God that
He had nerved their souls, and put
strength into their arms to achieve for
themselves and their posterity glori
Gus independence?
Did they not, rather, thank God, that
amidst all their difficulties and embar-
easements, He had given them faith to
look forward TO the issue of the strug-
gle. when irresponsible and tyrannical
power, with its supporters. is agents,
and It's minions, should be driven from
the land by the indignation of an out
ragged people?
Ladies and Gentlemen, for what
shall we to-day-we, the citizens Of
Kansas-thank God? Shall we thank
Him. still observing the parallel which
| have already drawn between our faith
ers and ourselves, and adopting the very
language of the Declaration of Inde-'
pendenee, shall we thank God that the
powsS that be. at Washington. have
refused their assent TO laws the most
wholesome and necessary to the public
good? Shall ne thank Him, because
a bogus Legislature has removed the
seat of government to an inconyenient
place. for the purpose Of fatiguing us
into q compliance with its measures9
CI ii 40 L..