The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1856-02-13


the Territory who attempted, iDefectu
ally. to restrain their excesses by this
Executive veto, was removed from Of
fee by the President of the United
States, and thus full scope was given to
their utmost extravaganza.
As if disposing of conquered Prov
ince. they proceeded to decree the cs-
adjustment of Slavery, and to secure
it against popular opposition, by provi-
ding for the appointments of Shcriffs and
other officers, by Commissionersof their
own creation; without allowing to the
People any voice whatever in their Sc
lection, and by imposing on the exer-
else of the right to vote at future cleo
tions of members of the Legislature,
conditions with which none but the sup
porters of Slavery could comply.
It was impossible for men, not them
selves prepared to be slaves to admit
the validity of this spurious legislation.
The people of Kansas refused to submit
to acknowledgements by the usurpers.
Left without valid laws, and rcmitted
to the original right, inherent in every
community, to provide for its own safe
ty and good order, they proceeded in
regular convention, to appoint a day
and prescribe the manner of Glecting Il
delegate to Congress, and to provide
for holding a convention to frame a co.,
stitution, preparatory to application for
admlssioD into the Union as a State.
On the 9th of October last, the day
designated for the election of n dele
gate to Congress, ANDREW Fl. REEDER
was chosen to hat office; and on the
23d of the same month IA State cousti-
tuition was promulgated by the conven-
tien elected for that purpose. On-the
18th December, this State constitutions
was ratified by the people, and on the
18th of January, just past, an election
was held for State officers and members
of the State Legislature. The Govern
or and Secretary, whose signatures are
affixed to the appeal herewith trans
United, were chosen at this election.
While these things were in progress
the Territory was again Invaded, early
in December, by armed ba},ds from Mis-
souri,, now called into action by an ex-
traordinary proclamation from WILSON
SHANNON, who had been appointed Gov
ernor of the Territory in place of his
removed predecessor. The own of
Lawrence was actually bseiged. and
its destruction fercely threatened. The
people of the Territory rallied to its de-
fence, and, for many days, civil war was
imminent. At length, however, the
Governor became sensible of the. error
he had committed, and succeeded in in
ducing the invaders to retire.
Their presence had been marked by
outrage, rapine aud murder. Their
withdrawal was angry and reluctant. 1t
indicated a remission of hostilities, not
a peace.
Hence 1t is not surprising hat the
election of State officers under the new
Constitution, on the 18th of January,
was made the occasion of further hostil-
tiles. The Territory was again invaded,
and an actual r~eucounter took place be-
tween the invaders and the settlers.
Some time after its termination, ii re-
spected citizen, an cmigrant from Kei-
lucky, of the name of Brown, who had
been engaged in it upon the Free State
side,was seized aud iHhumauly murdered
by the opposite party.
The communication which I transmit,
expresses a strong apprehension thai
preparations are o making for a lew
Invasion with-greater numbers, and
more ample provision of Implements of
destruction than any which has prece
ded it,. Information from other sources
confirms the opinion that this appreheu-
sion is ~notsgroundless:
t. 10 r,,oesJI1o - .o,4.,,-J,4 H.
things without deep feeling. Fhey are
the legitimate fruits of the repeal OF tie
Missouri Prohibition. 1t. may not be
possible at present to re-establish that
prohibition. 1t is, perhaps, not proba
BILE that Congress, as at present %cbns;i-
tuted, will consent to the admission of
Kansas into the Union, under her Free
State Constitution. The General As
sembly of Ohio has, perhaps, no legis-
latite power to redress the wrongs of
the people of the Territory but still
something, not unimportant, may be
done. The General Assembly can ex-
press the sense of the people of Ohio, in
Resolutions addressed to their Senators
and Representatives in Congress. They
eau recommend the admission of Kan
sas as a Free State the enactment of a
suitable law securing freedom of cleo
tions in case the Territorial government
be not superseded and what perhaps
is of more importance still, the prompt
admission of the Delegate of the People
to a seat in Congress, that be may have
the most favorable opportunity of gain
ing the attention of the National Legis-
lature to their wants and their wrongs.
The General Assembly may also, by
suitable resolutions, commend the eau e
of Kansas to the warm sympathies aud
liberal contribution of their constitu-
ents. They will not, | am sure, invoke
the prompt action of the people III vain.
Having thus performed what seemed
to me to be my duty. in transmitting TO
you the communication of the popular
authorities in Kansas, with such obser
as the occasion appeared to de-
lnaud | cheerfully submit the whole
to the superior wisdom of the
Geueral Assembly. S. p. CHASE,
LAWRENCE Cry, X 7.
January 2lst, 50.
To las EaceHency, tie Gorcynor Of