The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-08-26

KANSAS TERRITORY Ann /

KANSAS TERRITORY, Aug. IL, 1856.
To the Editor Of the Missouri Democrat:
Great excitement now prevails in every |
part OF our unfortunate territory. There |
has been compact entered into by the Atcb. |
ison and Stringfellow men Of the border |
counties OF Missouri, and those in Kansas
territory, to keep up excitement for the |
avowed purpose of preventing all opposed to
them from emigrating to the territory, and |
the present and recent difficulties which do |
and have existed among our people, have
been brought about by these and similar de- |
signing, laWless men, most OF whom are no, |
citizens OF Kansas, although they publish to
the world that they are now residents of
Kansas territory. Some four weeks since a
party Of southerners, numbering in all about
one hundred and seyenty-fye, formed them.
selves into company and started from the
town Of Atchison, Lcavenworth, and other
points, for the Big Blue river, intending 10
drive the settlers from that part Of the coun-
try, who were known to DO free State men.
The above company armed and furnished
with provisions, ammunition, and teams OF
conveyance by their friends in Missouri, took
up their line OF march, having previously
declared that their intention was to take pos
session OF Manhattan city and the country in
citizens Of that part of the territory employ.
ed 10 building houses, making improvements.
&c. Shortly after their arrival q fight COM
mcnccd, hich resulted in the defeat Of the
southern men by the citizens of Riley coun-
ty. Had these men gone to work, attended
TO their own affairs, and not have plundered
private houses, stolen horses, and drove ac-
tual settlers from their homes, the citizens
OF Riley county would never have made any
complaint against them, nor would any VIC
fence have occurred. Only n few DAYS
elapsed until another company of pro slave
ry men 10 the number OF one hundred and
eighteen, took possession Of the town OF
Franklin, fortified themselves, and called
upon every man in the town to Join them or
leave their homes. The free State men be-
ing thus compelled to abandon their proper
ty it was soon taken by these law and order
men. Ii being impossible for free State
man to get redress from the ones sided courts
Of Kansas territory, they, with some Of their
friends returned, and asked permission to
peaceably enjoy the privilege OF their rights
and property. The answer was, you are alb
ohtionists and must clear the territory, and
at the same time wherever they made their
T appearance, they were fired 1T by some OF
the party who called themselves law and or
that the free State men determined to return
or die in the attempt. The fight which en-
sued, and Of which you have no doubt heard /,
then took place, and which lasted about
three hours, in which the invaders we're bea.-
en- and some OF them shot, while the resi-,
He'd, having lost their arms and cannon. The
free State men had it in their power to have
taken the lives OF all those persons who had
, collected in Franklin; but their object was
to get possession OF their homes, 80 that their
wives and children could have those places
Of shelter which their industry had provided
for them. Since this report has been circu.
, lated that Robinson, Brown and Others were
to be released, arrangements have been ma
! king by their enemies to get the prisoners
, from the guards, and hang them. Men who
occupy prominent positions, boldly proclaim
that il Robinson, Brown and others are re.
8 leased, that they will be shot down. The
tight at Lecompton was begun by men who
g went to the capital, to use their own Ian
Q guage, to have fight, and not to permit a
free State man to come to Lecompton. For
Q weeks the pro-slavery party have been NOV.
ing the southern emigration into Douglas
county for the purpose of routing the free
/. State men. There are now several hundred
men from the South, supported by the
e nulli6ers, and instructed by their masters, tc
! keep up excitement. When man comes Ia
+ Kansas, and refuses to act with the pro.
slavery party, his name is placed upon thu
!. list Of those who are to be disposed OF. W.
u have no law herc--no government. The
4 strong arm OF this once powerful republic
has tailed TO protect the peaceable citizens
OF this territory. 1t would appear that or,
G ders have been issued by government, tina,
0 the Tree State men Of this territory are "a
!, be slaughtered and robbed Of their property
Q hundreds OF armed men from the south ar,
9 Hooking into our territory, to drive US from
= our homes and to murder every one who re-
n fuses to obey their orders. Will the govern.
: rnent at Washington fail to give us that pre-
lection to which free people are entitled
a Do~ti. wouil De preferable 10 Inc continue.
= ton OF the bloody administration Of Kan.
I sas territory. We ask equal privileges, and
r nothing more-when our homes are invaded
our lives threatened, our friends are murder.
Q cd, our wives insulted, what course must VI
Q take? II the government will not protec,
9 us, and we receive no other assistance, vi
. will sell our lives as dearly as possible.
have not time to give you ail the facts rels.
n tive to the affairs in our territory. wa,
born and cducated in slave State, and AN
: sure that the conservative men of the south
. would promptly refuse to endorse the crue
! action OF the law breakers in Kansas.
q wish to see majority Of the actual citizens
Q Of this territory decide at the ballot box
WHISTLER It be slave or free State, and MOI
9 force nentO leave the territory at the point
0 OF - b4yenet just before the election
4 We are determined, inasmuoh - the war hn,
been brought upon ", 10 defend our lives
Q to the lest. There can be no doubt but thu
n:in object Of tho pro-:laysry party j. e