Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-09-03
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Who Began the Aggressions in Kansas I

Kansas, remarks the Philadelphia Sun of the
26th Aug, it is necessary to trace the origin
of the disturbances. We can easily do it now,
though few months ago it was covered by
such a multitude of inventions by DOUGLAS,
Stringfellow and their numerous adherents.
| that some good people may have had their
doubts and been not a little mystifed. 1t is
on that supposition that we copy plain state
| ment, which subsequent Investigations, cspe-
cially Of the industrious and able Investgat-
ing Committee of the House of Representa-
tives, have enabled the Newark .fdrerfiser to
prepare. Previous to the enactment of the
law constituting Kansas a Territory, power
full society was formed in Missouri for the ex
press purpose of making Kansas slave State.
How they proceeded to carry out their plan,
as that act passed, was afterwards full
Iy made apparent by the warlike irruption of
its members and others into that Territory,
taking violent possession of the ballot boxes,
driving away the real inhabitants from the
polls and not allowing them to vote at all
Thus were elected the members of their sham
Legislature and their delegate to Congress.
In consequence of these illegal and outrage
Gus transactions, Whitfield has been denied
admission delegate to the House, and the
acts of the Legislature have been declared to
be disgrace to any country, not only for
their base origin but for their unconstitutional
and tyrannical provisions. They have been
denounced and repudiated on all sides, and
no one, whatever his opinions other mat
| ters may be. has word to utter in their de-
| fence. We shall not now recite them-they
have been published in this paper and through
out the Union. Their object, however, was
| professedly to make Kansas slave State, by
first making it slave Territory. The slave
| laws of Missouri, in body, were consequent
| ly made at once the laws of the Territory,
and the flagitious acts referred to were subsi-
diary to this great design.
In furtherance of the same object, the ju-
dietary, under the Jeffres of Kansas, Chief
Justice lie Compte, was set into motion. I'm
der his direction, some of the principal men
| of the Free State party, who had been already
disfranchised, were indicted for treason for
peaceably meeting to deliberate on their grie-
yances, and see what could be recommended
for remedy, as they had right to do by the
| provisions of the constitution. These were
arrested, thrown into prison, where their per-
secutors have confined them ever since. Not
content with this, the Kansas Jeffries sane
toned the Indictment of some of the most
valuable buildings belonging to Free State
men in Lawrence, as nuisances, and had them
burnt, their contents pillaged, and the women
found there, barbarously abused. These vii
| lains, at the head of whom was Atchison, now
boast of their villainous exploits. and show IN
triumph the arms, horses, cattle, furniture,
and other property, of which they robbed the
lawful owners. Then they prosecuted set
tied plan to hunt Free State settlers, known
to be such, and drive them from the Territory.
At the same time, associations were formed to
operate externally, in order to prevent the ar
rival of fresh emigrants from the Free States,
disarming some, turning back others, while
those from the Slave States were promptly
permitted to proceed, and encouraged to
come The Missouri river is closed river to
free emigrantS, and distractions are thrown
in their way by land approach to Kansas in
every possible direction. In these high-hand-
ed measures; troops have come in aid from
South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama. Not
content with these, Pierce ordered Col. Sum-
ner to march against the inhabitants of Kansas
with large body of Z. S. troops, of which
Gen. Smith has recently been sent to take the
command. The inhabitants of Kansas are,
therefore, subdued, expelled, as Douglas
threatened, while the trials for treason of the
friends in whom they reposed their confidence,
are appointed to take place in September
The condition of the country is as deplorable
! as can be imagined, and the hopes of freedom
for its people at the lowest point. We sin
cerely deplorc their great sufferings they do,
indeed, deserve the sympathy of their ielloW-
citizens everywhere.
And what can justify such foul, such enor-
i nous oppression Can such things happen in
II America, the land of the happy and free, we
- hear men exclaim2 Why, what mockery
i are our constitution, our boasts OF security
} and equality Worse things could not hap
pen in Austria or Turkey. Is there not some
apology for these Internal outrages? we nave
never heard but one, and that is fasehood
1t is said by way of excuse for all this Vlolehc'
" that Massachusetts had Incorporated an hni
grant Aid Society, for the purpose oil convert
ing Kansas into free State, by lorce ant
- money This is now proved to be snaiiie
J. loco faIsabood without the least foundation
ri That State did incorporate an Emigrant Ait
III Company in February, lSoo, long after TN
ie massage of the Kansas Territorial act, with
nominal capital of one million, not ten, as as
q serted but which capital never, in fact, ex
- .oeded hundred thousand dollars. The OF
;ect stated was afor the purpose of directln