The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-09-07
War In Kansas-InfamOus Policy OF the
Pierce Administration.

Int civil exists there in its most dangerous an
friobtful forms. Citizens Of this republic men
Of a common brotherhood having CONNIE N inte-
rest in the prosperity and stability Of the Union
are found madly arrayed against eaG h other in
open field, and in covert and treacher GUS attack
They are marshalled under opposing f,anners, part
belonging to what is designated the Army of
the North led by an indi Tidual of the name of
Lane. assuming the title of Gene raj and part to
what is designated 9 the Border Ruffians," mar
shalled by Messgs. Atchison and Stringfellow
For many months past these hostile bands have
been Rarauding through the Territory commit
ting vanton de,redatons and unmanly atrocities
on the weak ami defencebess of the opposite faction
But now Greek has met Greek. The rufHans of the
Army of the North have come into deadly conflict
VITA the rnfians of the border. A regular battle
has been fought, wherein three hundred are re
ported to have been engaged on each side. The
issue of this combat is said to have been that
victory remained with the pro-savery forces, the
corps of the Army Of the North retreating with a
loss Of some twenty men.
The first question which men naturally ask
themselves when they read Of this lamentable
condition of affairs in Kansas, is -" How has
such state of things arisen, and how has it ever
been allowed to exist?' The answer is simple
one 1t could not have arisen if the President had
been true to bis duties 1t could never have ex-
listed week if he had had the requisite nerve
and frmness to uphold the laws and to repres in
surection. We charge him as the grand culprit
in the premises. Minor MISUNDERSTANDING
and abettors in the crime-are such men as Jeffer
son Davis, Atchison and Stringfellow. But Frank
lin Pierce is the principal, and on his shoulders
rest the consequences that have followed and
are likely to follow.
The bill for the organization Of the Territories
of Kansas and Nebraska which was passed by
the last Congress- was the starting point for
train Of circumstances which have involved the
peace and safety of the entire country. That bill
was in itself liable to valid objection, although
it was made the object of bitter denunciation by
Northern abolitonists. Had it been observed
and enforced as it should have been-had there
been no improper interference with its regular
operation-the government of the Territory would
have gone on peacefully and constitutionally, and
when the time came for its admission as a State
into this Union, its people, in their sovereign ca
pacity, would have moulded and established
its institutions as to themselves might seem
right and proper.
The organic law gave to the people of Kan
sas the same rights enjoyed and exercised
by the people Of other Territories-the power to
determine their own social institutions. 1t was
the bounden duty Of the Executive Of the United
10 L..
and that the people were protected in the exercise
Of their rights. The people of California and Of
other Territories required in their day no protec
ton from the general government They were able
TO take care of themselves. They framed their own
State constitutions without any interference Of the
general government aud by the regular action of
heir local conventions established or prohibited
the existence Of slavery in their midst But the case
Of Kansas was an exceptional one. TWAS formed
nto Territory while it was yet unnhabited by
the white man, and when the Indian held undis-
puted sway in It, 1t was therefore especially the
duty of the general government to have afforded
protection and security TO the settlers and to have
seen that the organic law was not openly violated
But how have the facts been? During the pen
dency Of the bill in Congress, and ere it had be-
come law, broken down politician ms from Mis-
souri, seeking an opportunity to revive their for
tunes. and ambitious Of the pecuniary and politi-
cal advantages which an infant settlement offers
TO such characters, organized bodies Of men
there and in other parts of the South-who have
since earned the cognomen of border ruaians-
and as soon as the bill became law, crossed the
border, took possession Of the Territory, and
dedicated IL to slavery Northern demagogues
pursued the same PLAN organized emgrant aid
societies. furnished emigants with Bibles and
Sharpe-Beecher rifles. and sent them to dis
pute possession Of the Territory. Reinforce
ments poured in from both sides, and naught
hut disorder reigned in that distracted region.
But somehow the psalm singing rifemen have not
been able to cope with their less devout antago-
nists Lane is but sorry specimen Of general,
and his followers are not used to border life.
Atchson stringfellow and Company as they or
gained their plan under the guidance Of Jefier-
son Davis, the Secretary Of War. 80 they have re-
ceived the countenance and support Of the imbe-
Gle Pierce administration.
To show how the organic law has been violated
and trampled on-how the last rights Of the cti-
zens have been violently extinguished, aud how
lawles bands Of marauders. in conjunction with
the troops Of the United States, have choked
every expression Of the popular wll-wc have
only to ace pass in panoramic order the shadows
Of past events. There they arc-the incursion Of
armed Missourians on the day Of election; the
driving from the polls all peaceable citizens who
were not pledged to favor the establish
ment Of slavery; the imposition, by these
means on the bona fde settlers, Of set
Of ruthless Legislators; the cnacting Of laws a
libel on republicanism and disgrace to civiliza-
ton; the requirement Of ties, 6aths for voters and
Office holders; the humiliation Of free pres and
free speech. by casting into the river types and