The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-10-03

or the people; and that the inhabitants OF
the Territory have no right to pass terrific
rial laws to forbid it or exclude 1t. Demo
cratic representatives from Pennsylvania ev-
en-, in the Senate and the House, hold and
proclaim these opinions, while other repre-
sen,ativcs from Pennsylvania, with Demo-
cratic leaders from other States, declare |
themselves publicly 20 be non committal up I
on this heresy the inevitable tendency OF
which. it is easy to show. will be to prevent
almost entirely the formation Of any more
Free States.
Having originated a movement myself !
to aid our people by sending them men and
money, and having presented 1T with strict
est avoidance Of party character, and stud
led neutrality as to the political canvass,
and having earnestly asked the co. operation
Of men Of oil parties, have failed to en-
list in it, to my knowledge, single Demo.
crat. La the Conventions OF Cleveland ana
Buffalo, called without distinction OF party,
in furtherance of this enterprise, there was
no democrat present but myself. This can
not have been from any want OF generosity
or of means, but only in Difference to the
prevailing tone and sentiment OF the party,
which is enlisted upon the other side OF the
question. And not only have they abstained
from aiding the movement, but IN their
presses and by their private influence they
have endnvored to cripple and retard II by
sneering at it, warning the community
against it as reasonable, and declaring that
the money would be misapplled, thus endeav-
oring to prevent contributions even from
friends of the measure.
might 90 on with this catalogue and emit
merate other Indications, if necessary, show
ing that the prevailing tone OF the party 10
hostile to Kansas but consider 1t only ne
cessary TO add, that what have said relates
! but to the North. The South, where the
great mass of the party is to be found,
makes no pretenslon, as whole, 70 the
advocacy OF anything but pure border rum
anlsm.
| What. then, have the Free State men Of
4 Kansas to expect from a Democratic au-
| ministration, even if presided over by MIR.
/ Buchanan? LII he could be LETT to act upon
/ his own impulses, unaffected by external IN
/ fuences. free from all pledges and Obligations,
/ expressed and implied, the case would be We
~ different. But, unfortunately, this is not
SO. His election would rightfully be consid-
! cred n decision against us, whatever may be
his own private feelings. His Offices at
Washington, in Kansas and elsewhere would
necessarily, to large extent, be filled with
our enemies. His Information would come
through distorted medium and lastly, he
could not aid us without having first made
M his mind TO be abandoned and warred
upon by his own party. The South would
charge him with violating his pledges, and
turn upon him with the bitterest hostility
and at least u portion Of the Northern Dem
ocracy would follow their example. lie
would thus be left without party to sup
, mort his adm nistration, unless he should cast
himself into the arms of the Repubicans.
We cannot, it seems to me, either ask or ex-
pect him TO do this upon n question where
party lines are SO plainly drawn before the
election. Like all other men in the same sit
uation, he must obey the party sentiment on
which he is elected. That there arc Demo.
Gratis in Pennsylvania who are full Of indig.
nation against the conduct Of the South IN
. regard to Kansas, am well aware, and that
they would use their influence to redress bel
wrongs, l am well satisfied; but they are too
few in proportion to the whole party OF thu
8 Union, to sustain his administration in awal
/ with his party They have, as yet, been un-
/ able to make their opinions appear and ot
felt in the party, and, OF course cannot do sc
hereafter. honor their good intentions
j, but cannot believe in their power.
| repeat that have been forced to these
, conclusions after no slight struggle with m,
. feelings and inclinations. Should Mr.. Blu
!, chanan be elected, and his administration b
= different from what my Judgment compel
me to believe, | shall give it my cordial ap
probation, and my feeble though willing
!, support. As | believe now, | must regars
, the Democratic party as fully committed Il
Southern section alism, towards which, FOL
, some time past, il has been rapidly tending
). and quit il, we'll assured that my duty &
my country demands Mt my hands this sacri
j fee Of personal feeling.
Very truly Yours,
A. Ii. REEDER.