Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1856-04-04
Letter from Hon. John sherman.

~ kctteF 1rOHR AtOIAs bOnn SHefLnnns
The Sandusky Register contains letter
from this gentleman, which viii be read
with interest at the present tiine Mr.
Sherman occupies the position of chairman
of the Investigating committee upon the
Kansas frauds and difficulties. His views
of the outrages are such as to induce him
to make thorough scrutiny. He has the
necessary intelligence, tact and energy to
perform his duties properly, and we have
no doubt he will give such a report as will
place the border ruffians before the world
in their true character. g 7 1sz
La Washington City March 10.
DEAR SRs: The House, to-day, resolved
that it would send committe of three of
its members to examine fully into the af-
fairs of Kansas. Iregard this as by far the
most important act of this session, not ex-
cepting the election of Speaker. COMPARED
with it, every other proposed measure was
partial in its effect. Nothing but thor
ough investigation, conducted under the. Or
der of the House, can present to the people
the extent of the wrongs that have been
inflicted upon the citizens of that infant
Territory. Ovemun by invaders foreign to
their rights with the whole Executive pow
er of the Government against them, they
were compelled to choose between submis-
sion TO the worst of tyranny or to arm for
resistance. When they appealed for pro
lection against an organized force in neigh
boring powerful State, they were entirely
neglected by the President. Twice over
run, driven from their ballot-boxes, with a
Legislature chosen by their seIfconstituted
rulers, usurping all the forms of Govern
ment over them, they were driven to organ
ize for their own protection. A second
time they were invaded, and nothing but
their determined defence at Lawrence saved
them from complete and absolute subsection
to the State of Missouri. When they had
thus evineed their power to defend them
selves, the President, for the first time, call
ed into requisition the United States troops,
but only for the purpose of compelling sub
mission to a worse than Draconian Code
made by their invaders. --
Under these circumstances, they appeal
ed to the House of Representatives, for an
examination and redress of their grievances.
1t is surprising that any objection should
have been made to theirinvestigation. One
would think that no party and no section
would dare smother without inquiry, so
gross wrong upon the people entirely
under the protection of Congress. And
yet, for days and weeks this inquiry was
resisted with the sheerest teehnicalities; and
above all, the friends of the Administration
struggled, in every way, to defeat it. On
the final vote, to-day, every member from
Slave State, and the very few friends of
the President from the FREQ States, voted
against an examination; and they exhibited
an interest in it equal to that shown in the
election OF Speaker. Fortunately, the
North was not so divided as it had been,
and all these gentlemen who held US so
long in suspence on the Speakership voted
in body with the Republicans. Dunn,
Scott Harrison, Moore, Millward, Haven,
and Others, as heartily favor the proposition
as any one; so that the resolution passed by,
think, six majority.
This is about fair test of our strength,
and trust it WILDE sufficient to secure the
rejection of Whitfield and the admission of
Kansas as a Free State-at least so far as
the House is concerned. ., s.t ..a
It has been asked: "Why don't you press
a direct vote on the rejection of Whitfield
and the admission of Reeder?" The an
swer is easy: although the facts upon which
the contest is founded are historical and
known to every one, they are not stated and
proven in that legal form required by the
election law. 1t might be said that this is
a question outside of an election law-that
it is one of usurpation and invasion, not a
mere inequality or fraud. That is true, and
for one, would be willing to act upon that
view; but Others, wiser and more cautious,
think we not only ought to prove the right
on our side, but also the legal forms. This
position is strengthened by the further facts,
so far as the contention for Delegate is
concerned, both Recder and Whitfield noW,
in substance, stand upon footing of equality
Neither can vote-both have seats upon the
floor-both will draw pay, and both will be
heard upon the merits of tho contest. The
only difference is that one is recognized as
the sitting Delegate and the other as the
contesting Delegate. But, for all practical
purposes, they have the same right now.-
Therefore it was that no objection was made
to Whitfeld's being sworn, and that we now
wait until the report of the committee shall
give us the facts in legal form. Upon this
report will depend, to some extent, our ac-
ton in admitting Kansas and in passing
laws for the protection of its citizens.
Truly yours, JOHN SHERMAN.