The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-03-06
FROM KANSAS.
LEAvENwoRTH CITY, Feb. 6, Is

LEAvENwoRTH CRY, Feb. 6, 1856.
To the Editor Of the National Era: IL
Since the butchery of Reese P. Brown, IN
the 18th ultimo the Border Ruffans have mai'e
no special onslaught on the Free State me /.
But they hold over US continually the threat 81
determination, and several of our friends, wi o
are particularly obnoxious to them, have befn
obliged to flee for their lives. 1t is reported
that the Free State settlers in the vicinity Of
the town of Atchison have been warned to leave
their claims by the 18th of this month. This
is understood to be for the purpose of making
room Ger Davy Atchison and his comrades, who
are about to settle there. The claw and order
men" across the Missouri river, swear that they
are coming over "to clear out all the Abolition
lists " as soon as there is grass enough for their
mules to graze. If they will only wait till that
time, 1 hope there will be preparations made
to give them warm reception. On the 4fe
instant, Atchison made his long-adventured
Kansas speech at Platte City. The meetiI :
only consisted of about two hundred. No Prs,
Slavery men were there from this place, and
but very few persons from Weston. There YVES
a great deal of hard swearing, but no cheering,
and no enthusiasm in the crowd.
We have had the substance of the speech In
his printed letters He said he should lead
fifteen thousand men into the Territory, and
the meeting of the new Legislature, on the 4th
of March, is to be the signal for war. Then
will the Legislature and its abettors be visitel
with fire and sword. He seriously assured his
hearers that fifty Missourians, with shot gun
could whip two hundred of the Kansas Rive
Yankees with Sharpe's rifles. Unless Congre
does something for us, there will be shed tt
blood of American citizens in resisting thes
invaders. But let not Free State emigrani
expect to see an army of fifteen thousap
"Ruffians invade the Territory. We hope &
see these emigrants come in crowds this sprinl
and they will surely be disappointed, if they
believe all that Atchison says in regard to his
military force.
We want adventurous men here, who love
the cause of Freedom, and are not afraid to in
cur danger in its defence. The New England
settlers have shown that they have breathed
the air of Lexington and Bunker Hill and ]
could point out another class of men, who are
just the sort for this country. You, Sir, kao'i
them well. They were your early co-laborefl
in Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. l mea
the descendants of the Scotch and the Scotcl
Irish Presbyterians. | am not of them by brit
or creed, but l know them to be as Jealous fo
Freedom as their fathers were for the solem
League and Covenant, and they are brave mef
too. | think not many OF them have com
hither but they are wanted here. How gladl
would we welcome whole congregations of them
with ministers and elders. Let the German,
also come by thousands. They do not sa
much but when it comes to voting, every ba
lot that they cast is thrown for Freedom.
Buchanan county, Missouri, has just organ
zed an Emigrant Aid Society, and it is reporte
that twelve hundred dollars have been subscri
bed to its funds, for the purpose of promoting
Slavery here. 1t is said that other counties OF
the border are adopting like course. Henc'
our friends will see that it is to be no child
play to establish and secure free institutions
here.
A memorial has lately been presented to tb'
Nebraska Legislature, in favor of annexing tb,
part of that Territory lying south of the Plat;
river to Kansas. The principal reasons give
for this project are, frst The Platte cannot
bridged nor forded, and hence seems to be tb
natural boundary of State. Second: Tb
memorialists say the great question of the de
is, [" Will Kansas be free ?" and such annexs
ton would determine that question irrevocab)
in the affirmative. On the other hand, has
previously understood that such move VS.
on foot, in the hope Of securing South Nebrask
for Slavery.
In see the President in his late message, hs
gone over horse and foot to the side of II
Border Ruffians. He says it is his duty to ei
force the local and national laws in the Terri
tory; then he has shamelessly neglected b
duty Has not the property of our either
been destroyed? Have not two of our neig't
bors been shot down, and another butchered ,,
in cold blood with tomahawk9 These ms
derers and burglars walk abroad unmolested
no effort is made to bring them to justice.
the President in his oath of office virtual
swore to enforce the laws in Kansas, does n
not stand before God perjured man2 TIL
Government of President Pierce, in this Terri
tory, has been no Government for the body o
our citizens. Our friends are murdered in tn,
one case by one of his Indian agents; in othe
cases, in the vicinity of other of his officers
others are fired upon and wounded; other
driven from their homes-and neither he nor hi
subordinates do anything to secure the ends o
Justice. But when we propose to establish {
Government, which will protect our lives ant
property, he comes forth with a message, ant
declares that such a course is revolutionary ant
reasonable, and threatens us with the swort
and gibbet Our hope is in Congress. W.
ask to be defended from robbefs and assassins
or else that we be permitted to defend our
selves. Is the request unreasonable
G. p. SHULTZ.