The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-03-14

the United States OF America"
Sect. Cd, art. lst Of the constitution says
"The President shall be commander-in-chiel
Of tho army and navy of the United States,
and of the militia Of the several States,
when called into actual service ofthc United
States" Let us now see what Mr.. Pierce
considers sufficient reasons for bringing the
militia to the support Of tho Constitution.
At the commencement Of his annual mes-
sage to Congress, ho tells the country that
." it is matter Of congratulation that the
Republic is tranquil and advancing in ca
recr Of prosperity and pcnce.h
SSye must conclude from this / suppose
that the news of the outrageous conduct of
tho Missouri " Border Ruffans" had not
reached the President. But il was the prin-
ciplc topic Of conversation in every hamlet
and village throughout New England. We
will now consider what everybody but Mr..
Pierce knew.
After the Spring election of 1855, num-
Der of the lawless ruiians called upon Gov.
Recdcr, declared that they would hang him
If he refused to give certificates Of election
to the pro-slayery men, who had been chosen
to the Territorial Legislature, not by the
citizens of Kansas, but by men from Nilsson.
ri. This Gov. Reeder, refused to do. An
other attempt to bully and frighten Gov.
Reedcr, and force him to make arecantation
of some things he had said during visit to
the east. This was done by Stringfellow.
The Presidents message, was dated Dec.
81. 1t is astonishing that this nation will
tolerate capital so far removed from civili-
ztion and the means of conveying ncws.-
AT Leavcnworth city, on the 3Oth of April,
at political meeting, McCrca, a frcc-statc
man, was attacked by one Malcolm Clark,
whom McCrea shot in sclf.defence. On the
18th of.tberext May, a mob of Missourians
crossed Che ffrcr at Leavenworth, seized Mr..
Phillips, a frcc.State man, who was guilty
of the grave offence Of contesting the election
in his own district, carried him across to tho
Missouri side, stripped him of his clothes,
shaved half his head, tarrcd and feath-
cred him, rode him on n rail, put him up at
auction, and sold him to negro at one dol
lar. No civil proceedings were commenced
against the lynchers of Phillips, but McCra
was thrown into prison. A bill for murder
was found against him. One jury, how
ever, refused to find bill against him, when
another was packed for the purpose. Afcw
days succeeding the lynching of Phillips, on
the Goth of My, some persons, members OF
sac-ct society, knownrs tho" Blue Lodge"
went over irsDKansas Territory, took one
Mr.. Parker, charging him with being an
abolitionist. They then took his arms from
him, put him upon a mule, and carried him
into tho woods. Preparations were then
made to hang him. lie, however, was per-
mittcd to speak for himself; after hearing
his statements he was released, but was
obliged to give up his claim.
A Methodist clergyman, by the name Of
Pardcc Butler, on being charged with preach-
ing frccsoilism, was sent down river on u
raft. Rev. William G. Clark, another meth
odist clergyman, was assaulted and brutally
beaten, on board steamboat, for making
some remarks upon negro equality. The
captain made no endeavor to protect him,
but set him shore without paying his pas
sage money back. An lrishman by the
name of Pat Laughlin, shot man by the
name of Collins. To these outrages we may
add the murders of Dow and Brown.
Under these circumstances, and with these
facts before him, what has the President
done " to ensure domestic tranquility, and
establish justice" as his oath binds him to
do? In the first place he removes Gov.
Rceder, on false charges, and appoints vii.
SON Shannon in his stead. This rascal pro-
claims the free-Statc men Of Kansas to be
IN n rebellion. No,c Mr.. Pierce has learned
that there is such place rs Kansas. In
his message he slides over Kansas affairs in
this manner. "ln the territory Of Kansas
there have been some acts prcjudicial ogood
order, but as yet none have occurred, under
circumstances to justify the interposition o'
the Federal Executive! !! !! That could on
ly bc in case of obstruction to federal law
or organized resistance to territorial law
assuming the character Of instruction,
which, IL it should occur, would be my duty
promptly to overcome and suppress.
How consistent the President is
The Gov. had been threatened Missouri
ans had invaded the territory, numerous
murders and other outrages had been com.
mittcd, the freedom Of voting had been OBJ.
structed, but still Mr.. Pierce has not word
of remonstancc to offer, has not even issued
u proclamation against such proceedings,
But on the other hand, he lets justice ride
bareback and dissmccs tho high Office to
which he has been called by getting down
upon his belly and eating southern dirt in
order not to offend the Southern slave-driyers.
He goes into special pleading, like knave
and villain, and dattcmpts to throw the whole
blame and responsibility upon the unoifend-
ing citizens Of Kansas just read his last
special message to the Senate upon Kansas
affairs and express your indignation in words
If you can. May we not well ask "who
shall guard the shcpherds?"
Much more might be said, but am too
much disgusted with the conduct Of 'Frank
Pierce" and the whole posse of his support.
cs, to say more at present. Reflect! arc
these the practical workings Of the " eternal
principles of Right, Truth and Justice"
upon which Pierce planted himself in hi'