New-York daily tribune., 1856-02-28
AN APPEAL FROM MERCHANTS OF KASsl
TO THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE a
JOIfTS

The following appeal from merchants o: kassas q
been handed to The Democrat for publication By 4
business firm in St. Louis. II is another among "
many evidences which have recently come 10 handd
the injurious influence which the border incursons nan
had upon the trace, not only of st. Louis, but Of u
State of Missouri ataarge:
To The CkamJer Of Com merce at 81. LOUIS:
While I'll American Constitutions regard goveluna
as based upon the exl ressed or tack consent OF n
governed, and the supreme power Of State a. alssy
residing in the people, il Is not essential 10 par
democracy that its powers should be delegated TO x
cutve or legislative agents, but exigencies may Uk
wherein the high moral trust may be exercised by u
sovereign people in conserving their own night. ni
liberties in the absence OF official agents. Such u
exgency has now arisen with us, 10 WHICH the -
pr, macy of the popular will must be Recognized &
ecuriDg our own happiness against foreign a6uset-
defending the night and repelling the wrong.
You must be already aware that while without Q
outward, operative Government of our own, while VI
were weak in numbers, wealth, and all the requste'
for the administration Of justice soil has been n
peatedly invaded by armed bands, well orgaala
armies ircm your State, who, without proyocetios
the slightest pretcxt have murdered our peaoealA
citizens, destroyed ballot boxes pillaged our pi
erty, blOckaded our towns and threatened them WI
demolition and their inhabitants with death, and M
il hos been only through the most unparalleled FORBES
anoe in some instances, and manly defense of oh
herr Mt rights in others, that have escaped MI
deadly civil war. Recent reports have come 20
that there is another extensive organization in yn
State which Ii preparing for future attack uponm
towns and that recruiting officers are moving 70 NJ
fro enrolling in the several counties, who \
through with daily military drll for the same unsvh
purpose. We have committed no criIe-vloatedt "
International faith toward no States, but have eTt
sought 10 maintain the sanctity of the most peacs
relations toward all men.
We came to Kansas becduse we believed il pOssssA
the most nving climate, luxuriant soil and eDchsk
ing scenery now open TO immigrants upon this eolf
nent. We came to build up Tor ourselves and our en-
dren beautiful hom Q, whore, the inheritance OIL
free Government, and they might enjoy IifetnA
having our hearts filed with the pleasures of dones
joy. We have been educated i'll the schools OF peses
and ntthing would be more abhonent to our nature
than TO see the smoke of battle curling over pa
lovely prairies, or to feel again the smart Of Boz
glievous outrages with which some Of your people "
said 10 be threatening US. These considerations 81
'temeD, prompt US to address You in comIDescs ~
pacIty. -.s.t..
We have chosen residence In Lawrence, from ~
unrivaled situation upon the only navigabe nya
the T,nltOry-an indispensable requiate In bundH
up large commercial city. We have erected ssn
bic stores for wholesale and retail trade, and nsr
already secured very aatteing business with the
terror country. Although it is but little more "a
twelve months since the first store erected bgs
yet We have already paid 10 your State over sleor
large proportion Of which las gone to your ety,
the trade OF entire Territory with your state ns
far has been nearly one million of dollars. 1hE
cumttaDce alone has already raised tho P'cu
many articles Of export in your State from two -
dred TO five hundred per cent, and your city ~
tending her levees and eniarging her wareTocn
anticipation Of our future trade. With an ares -
times a. large ss your whole State, our pFspes~
business must be at least fully equal to that Of any
State, and Cur prosperity, in commercial seufs5
quite as much 10 do with the future greatnese o ~
city, os any constructive considerations nsP
TO deduce frtm your State Geographically, etb~
is the commercial mart Of Kansas for yearr 70 -
or until by dint Of our own industry and r1chsSS
our soil, manufacturing and commercial cites W.
built up our own rivers, and even then tssy \.
reciprC cally add to your enterprise and wealih =.
chain Of all our public interests therefore, Dfevs
directly linked with yours Our prosperity yca'
cur adversity s yours, our invasion u your c~
quest Is yours. For il, by unnatural ana ooe..s a
policy On the part Of any Of your people, We s sbt
duced TO open new thorougbfares for trade VIZ IA
cities, ana invest cur wealth in opening ralIos
telegTapLic communications with the same, lne -
Of your mprudence will recoil only upon you III
heads, and IN due time shall escape the h''J W.
unscathed a.
Although the froward spirit of President Piens
cordiDg TO his Message has not yet dscehee an rru
IN our grievances that "haye occurred uaoe' ec<srl
"staDce- TO justify the nt.rposition OF tne 4,
" Executive" we still hope anG trust taet, Isy,
the citizens of your State are implicated VIZ "a.
occurred ID tuch manner as viii iusuy yos1 s.strs
sition and kindly Offices. Like great eyenv s,u,s
tLtir shadows forward-the forebodngs OF tls 80
have produced general paralysis in ell depai'Ss
of business throughout the Territory. Om Om,s. an;
Eot one third large as i was three mou moss .ffss
mecbsnics, laborers Of al kinds complain AJAX :, ,cF
general depression. In the border towns y 'IE
State, tie same want Of enterprise is observe1v he
this continue aud our Temittarces 10 your ~
coming season will be very limited. I'm =. 30
i.tarded, Consequently no new money IL or0csa ~
ciIcula;icn, and we are cured, not with war avn
with war, pos'ilence and famine" ,.,;sa,
Our wai is to urge upon you these consle.sss conse.1"ssss
ana by vtue Of your commercial influence 81
tie Stale, ssk gf you, to intercede IN our 80 70