Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-02-21

House OF REPRESENTATIVES,

giving description of the soil of Kansas, and
the average products of agricultural labor.
That letter was published in the newspapers of
our State, and every additional testimony con-
firms the truth Of the statements therein con-
tanned.
Gen. Whitfield is now at my side, and in re-
ply TO the question relative to the demands and
rewards of mechanical labor, bids me say that
the minimum of wages for labor in Kansas is
fully double the price in Charleston.
But higher considerations than pecuniary
profit are now presented to the young men of
our State; and they are just the considerations
which soonest reach, and most excite the heart
of young Carolina. They are the considera-
tons Of patriotism and honor. Civil war has
virtually begun in Kansas. The lives of such
friends of the institutions of the South and OF
the Constitution, as have gone to Kansas to
disseminate our principles, strengthen our in
stitutions and protect your rights, my rights,
and the rights of every slave owner, are in
peril. BY the fiat of Abolition Aid Societies."
The spirit of popular sovereignty is being
crushed, and the principle Of non-intervention
circumyented by lawless ianaticsm.
With the permission of Gen. Whitfield,
make the following extracts from letter dated
"Lecompton, January 49," and written by
gentleman in high position, and Of intelligence
and integrity, whose name flor reasons which
you would concur with me in regarding salts
factory is withheld:
I" About six days ago, six men were sent to
Iowa to conduct 500 fighting men, who are to
be here by the last Of February. They will be
here without doubt. Yesterday, wagons were
sent to meet train with two cannon and FIVE
hundred Sharpe's rifles from Illinois, which
are being sent to Lawrence.
These things go to show that the traitors
are industrious and are working. By the lst
of March they will have 100 or 1920 men
more than they have now, and be better pro-
vided with arms and munitions.
"On the 4th of March next, they put their
government into operation, and if we are not
strong enough to put down them and their
military organization, we will be driven from
the Territory.
For myself think that no man, in or out
OF the Territory is willing to risk more of every
thing that is dear or valuable, according to his
circumstances, than / will, if the cause is appre-
ciated by the South, and they show their APP
probation by sending men and money to hell
But if the slave owners of the South content
themselves with temporary luxury and ease,
and make no effort to save their institutions,
they may take care of themselves in their own
way, and will of myself in mine. If there is
man who is enlisted more deeply in the cause
OF the South than myself, do not know where
he Is to be found. l am fortified in my posi-
ton by principle and feeling. | hate the ad-
verse cause, and love to war upon it. l have
risked my HE and my property, which are now
in daily peril.
The South mustact with energy and prompt
ness. They must do the entire thing, or give
1t up-acknowledge themselves whipped.
Our friends must be here on the 18th of
February, or the few pro-savery men in this
part of the Territory will be burned out and
driven off as refugees. IF the South cannot
send fifteen hundred men by the 18th of Feb
ruary next, and double that number by fall, and
in time for the elections, they need not send a
man.
Such is the state of affairs in Kansas, as
represented by one who is on the ground.
" The admission Of Kansas into the Union as
a slave State, is now point of honor with the
South. Every assistance which legislation can
render, was given by the last Congress, when
the Missouri prohibition was repealed. What
more can Southern chivalry ask Of Congress /?
An open FIELD and fair fight, was all that our
ancestors ever asked Of an enemy. Has the
spirit of the sires departed from the bosoms OF
NASi SUNS ohall page Vi DOuLu IhTOlluh
history, which records the lofty sentiments
and glorious deeds of Gadsden, Of Hayne, and
Of Moultrie, grow pale when reading of us ?
And shall it be written that their blood
was transmitted without their virtues2 and OF
their spirit that the "graee Of the fashion of il
perisheth."
The last Congress gave to the people Of the
South a fair field and the Abelitionists have
thrown down the glove upon it. Who in all the
South will take it up?
Ii is my deliberate conviction that the fate oil
the South is to be decided with the Kansas
issue. If Kansas becomes a hireling State,
slave property will decline TO half its present
value in Missouri as soon as the fact is deter
mined Then Abolitionism will become the
prevailing sentiment. So with Arkansas-so
with Upper Texas. While we are thus de-
creasing in political power, the North will in.
crease. War with Eng and is now desired by
Seward, who is the most dangerous man in
America. And why? To exhaust the South
of men and money, and with our blood and our
treasure 10 acquire Canada as freesoil territory;
and then, with freesoi power thus augmented,
to reduce the South to provincial dependence.
And this war would be popular The West is
always ready for war They fatten upon il and
are out Of danger. War enhances the value Of
81 AhtlI pIOuuCt5-RThiny DhcOn, nOTset, Deef.
Their women and children are so far in the
interior as to be at oil times secure and their
young men are warlike by nature. Nor would
It's advocates be few even in the South Atlantic
States, which would be devastated by The
enemy. Popular orators might be heard at
every courthouse in our State raising the cry
ITO armsW who move about now, as If they
never heard Of Kansas. May they not hear Of
it when il is too late.
If our State bad imposed q tax OF one dollar
per head on each negro in the State, and ap
Piled the amount to the transportation Of armed
emigrants to Kansas, the people would have
sustained the delegates, and the funds would
have wrought more good towards strengthen.
ing our institutions, if thus applied, than il the
harbor of Charleston was crowded with steam
ships, and every village in the State had its
armory with cupola on top.
The election Of Mr.. Banks as Speaker OF our
House will precipitate the Kansas issue. The
Abolitionists are emboldened here and every.
where.
venture this prediction-thal in thirty DAYS
there will be a Proclamation by the President
relative to Kansas and that in sixty days
nifprward fhora piti alec he