The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-07-19

speech OF Gov Reedr reported in the proceedings OF The
Big Springs convention in printed copy now before me-
canaot say that il contains all his speech lie spoke for
an hour, little over an hour understood nun us
tiuety say this that he wanted them, they haa any
regard for their rights to appeal 10 the laws Tor re-
dress nor answer others appealed TO. lie called them
bogus laws meaning thereby the territorial laws That
think Is about the substance OF what he said
a came down home, believe, in company with Judge
Johnson who disapproyed Of the course adopted bad
conversations with Gov eeder afterwards but We held
our respective positions
ecutye committee, calling election for State ofcers and
legislature convention 10 form State constitution hay-
inv met and formed a State constitution. talked with
Lane and Robinson often about this matter There were
fee-State men in Lawrence who opposed this course
aud oppose II yet myself cooperaed with the tree-Satt
party until they took these revolutionary steps and then
left Them
AZ lived in Illinois twelve years before came to this
Territory"
that either before the meeting of the legislature or during
its session. after its adjournment there were other or
CARNATIONS formed TO resist by force of arms the execution
of any laws the legislature might pass or any Whlch %
had passed. at all hazards 10 the destruction OF the
territorial government and the ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF the con-
federaey itself
1t now being fully shown, the undersigned be-
eves that the antslayery party formed secret pohca
organizations Of military character TO resist with force
arms the execution Of the laws of the Territory and to
defend themselves against effort which might be MADE
by officers enforce obedience 10 the laws and authorities
of the Territory after preparing the minds OF the people
to embark any measures however reckless and desperate
in their nature and characters the primary Objects OF these
seditions associations boldly developed at
convention held by the ansayery party at big Springs
on the 9th and 9th days Of September 1865 But before
proceeding further in relation TO this convention the un-
dersgned deems proper to remark that alter the egs
lave election in March, 1885, Governor Reeder issued his
proclamation converting the legislature at Pawnee city
upon the press understanding that il there not
sufficient accommodations there for the members and
officers of the legislature, they could, strictly in &C
eordance with the provisions OF the organic Act ad-
| journ any other point in the Territory, and II
they did he would cooperate with them In proof OF
this reference made to the testimony OF the Rev. Thomas
Johnson member of the council The legislature conse-
quenty met at Pawnee city. They remained there but
short time they found accommodations for the mem
beers and officers Of the legislature the great majority OF
them having camp out aud cook their own provisions
there not being clearinghouse in the place sufficient to
receive and accommodate them The cholera also broke
there and several deaths occurred in consequence
The legislature then adopted resolution adournng to
Shawnee Mission Its evident that Pawnee city was not
suitable place tor the convenng of The legislature be-
of the absence OF all accommodations for members
as well as being las miles from the Missouri riyer whence
they derived chiefly their supplies for subsistence The
house il which they convened had neither doors nor
| windows, and but q temporary floor
While in session. however at Pawnee the governor rec
ocnsed them legal reconstructed Legislative body as
will be fully shown BY reference TO his message to
that body but after they removed to Shawnee Mission
be vetoed all the bills they passed Of every description
upon the ground that they sitting then al place pot
authorz ID by lawv-the oaly ground alleged.
Meanwhile 1.-THE governor instead OF exercising constant
vigilance and putting forth all his energies to preTen Of
counterfeit the tendencies legay which prone to
exist in all mperfecy organized and newly-associated
communities allowed bis attention to be diverted from his
otneia obligations by other interests and SET the
example Of violation Of law in the performance OF acts
which seems rendered it the duty Of the President of
the United States IN the sequel to remove him from the
Office of chief executive magistrate of the Territory"
After the removal of Gov Reeder ehsgriued he evil
IDENTIFY was he found actre member Of the Big Springs
convention held the Sch and 9th days Of September at
which convention it is proven by the testimony OF Mar
Parrot free-Stae man. and member of the free
State legislature, taken before your committee the follow
ing resolutions drawn up in the handwriting Of Governor
Reeder adopted they taken by the undersigned
from certified copy Of the proceedings Of said convention
eydencc tefore Jour committee, and are as follows:
Resolred That allegiance obedience 10 the
tyranncal enactmeuts OF this spurious legislature that
taeir have validity binding force upon the peo
pie Of Kansas and that every freeman s,a anGngs, 3
and man, to defy and resist them, he chooses 70
4 do so.
peaceable and legal within power until
elect representatives and sweep them from the
staiue-book and that, the majority Of the supreme
have far forgotten their official duty have far
off the honor Of the lawyer and the dignity of The
Judge enter clothed with the Judicial ermne into
partisan contest and by extrajudical decision gisen
opinions in violation OF all propriey have preudged our
case before we could be heard and have pledged them
selves outlaws in advance decide In their favor
WILL therefore, take TO carry the question Of
the validity OF these laws to higher tribunal, where
judges unpledged anu dispassonate where the law
will be administered in its purity and where we can at
least have the hearing before the decision.
"ResoiUed That and will quietly submi: &c
sufreudtr our great American birhnght-the elective
anchisewhch, frat by violence and by ehicanery
arhce weak and wicked legislation they have eectu
ally accomplished to deprive Of and that with
repudiate the election law, socalled aud will
with them the day they have appointed for the election
but will ourselves FIX upon day for the purpose Of elect
ing delegate TO Congress-
i Resolved That will endure and submit TO these
laws longer than the best interests Of the Territory re-
quire the least Of two evils and will resist them
shall fail and orcble resistance shall furnish any
bic prospect Of success and that In the time we
recommend TO friends throughout the Territory the
organization and discipline Of volunteer companies and
the procurement and preparation Of arms"
And finally the natural result Of the foregoing pro-
ceedngs Of the eesol party In the Territory the laws
violated their execution openly resisted By them till
at len 9Th came the difficulties at Lawrence Ia the fail Of
1855 and after Tire Big Springs convention in regard to
which as the most reliable testimony taken by your COM
mttee the undersigned begB refer tia evidence Of
Governor Wilson shannon, which Is follows: That
10 the origin progress and conclusion OF the difficulties AT
Lawrence last fall (ls55 be begs leave TO refer his
the accompanying documens-ihe first dated the 2Sth
day oiNoyembe and the second the 18th day Of De-
cember s55as containing what deponent believes to be
correct history and account Of those transactisns'
In relation 70 events which have transpired since the
appointment OF your committee the majority OF your CON-
mittee pse this language "Your committee did not deem
events which have transpred since the date OF their sp
pontment The undersigned begs TO say that the major
y OF your committee did however take testimony as 10
events which "ranspred since the date Of their appoint
ment' They admitted to record the testimony Of Pardee
aer, as 10 his being tarred and cocued at Atcbison