The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-07-10
THE GREAT CRIME IN KANSAS.
THE KANSAS REPORT

We have received the very voluminous re.
port of the committee, but too late to enable
us TO present IL to our readers entire this morn
! ing The following extracts will convey the
spirit Of the report
Within few DAYS after the organic law
passed, and as soon as its passage could be
known on the border, leading citizens of Mis-
souri, crossed into the Territory, held squatter
meetings, and then returned to their homes.
Among their resolutions are the following:
"That we will afford protection to no Abo-
| itionist as settler of this Territory.
THAT we recognise the institution of Slave
ry as already existing in this Territory, and ad.
wise shareholders to introduce their property as
early as possible"
Similar resolutions were passed in various
parts of the Territory, and by meetings in sew
eral counties.
This unlawful interference has been contin,
ued in every important event in the history of
the Territory; erery election has been con-
trolled, not by the actual settlers, but by citi
zens of Missouri and as a consequence every
officer in the Territory, from constables to lie.
gislators, except those appointed by the Pras-
dent, owe their positions TO nonresident voters
Zone have been elected by the settlers, and
your committee have been unable to find that
any political power whatever, however unim-
portant, has been exercised by the people of
| the Territory.
In October, A. ID. 1854, Gov. A. II. Reeder
| and the other officers appointed by the Presi-
dent arrived in the Territory. Settlers from
sii parts of the country were moving in, in
great numbers, making ther claims, and build
ing their cabins. About the same time, and
| before any election was could be held in the
Territory, a secret political society was formed
| an the State of Missouri. 1t was known by
different nSG;es, sach as "Social Band"
Friends Society" " Blue .odge,r " The Sons
of the South" Its members were aolnd to-
gether by secret oatbs, and they had pass
words, signs, and grips, by which they were
known to each other. Penalties were imposed
for violating the rules and secrets of the Or
der. Written minutes we're eept of the pro-
ceedings OF the lodges, and the different lodges
were connected together by an effective organ.
ization. 1t embraced great numbers of the
citizens of Missouri, and was extended .iGto
other slave States, and into the Territory. Its
avowed purpose was not only to extend Slave
~ into Kansas, bUt also into other Territory
of the United States, and 10 sprm union of
all the friends Of that institution. Its pisI Of
operating was TO organize, and send men
to vote at the elections In the Territory, to col
lect money to psy their expenses, and, if ne.
| cessary, 10 protect them in voting. 1t also
proposed to induce Pro-Slavery men 70 a:pi-
crate into the Territory, to aid and sustain
| them while there, Sna to elect none to Office
but those friendly to their views. This danger
Gus society was controlled by men who ssowei
their purpose to extend Slavery into the Terri.
tory at all hazards, aud was altogether the
| most effective instrument in organizing the
subsequent armed invasions and forays. In its
lodges in Missouri, the affairs of Kansas were
1 a ha Il
election vac divided into bands, and leaders
selected means were collected, and signs and
badges were agreed upon. While the great
body of the actual settlers of the Territory
were relying upon the rights secured to them
By tie organic law, and had formed no organi.
cation or combination whatever, even Of par
| ty character, this conspiracy against their
rights was gathering strength in 9 .asighboring
State, and would have been sufficient at thei.
| frst election TO have overpowered them, if they
had teea united to a man.
The hrst eientloa Sss for Delegate to Con-
gress. 1t was appointed for TIVE 29th of No
vember, 1854. The Governor divided tine
| Territory into Il election districts, appointed
judges, and prescribed proper rules for the
election. in the first, third, seventh, ninth,
tenth, twelfth, thirtesnth, snd seventeenth dis
tricts, there appears to have been but little, if
| any, fraudulent voting.
In the second district, large companies OF
Haea came into the village of Douglas, where
the poll wss to he held, declaring that they
were from Missouri, aaa we're going to vote.
On the morning of the election, they SURROUNDED
the poll, elected Judge from their own num-
Der, si voted, and, after the polls were closed,
the mob ali p,o4nte9 their horses, and got into
their wagons, aud drove o., crying, "All aboard
! for Westport and Kansas Gityt" In tie fourth
district, mob of $50 Missourisns did tbs
ssme thing, entering in procession, avowedly
from Missouri, claiming no actual residence,
but forcing their votes in, because, as they
went along, they had driven stakes into the
ground, protesting thereby to have land claims.
after the election, they went back to Missouri.
Similar details are given of the frauds in the
fifth, sixth, seventh, eleventh, fourteenth, and
fifteenth districts in all of which large mug bers
of Missourians, armed and in bands, overawed
the few scattering settlers, and took possession
of the polls. They voted themselves, without
having g shadow Of right, and prevented the