The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-10-09
Letter OF Governor Grimes - Pres.
dent Pk.rce.
Executive OrYIcg. Iowa.


To lis kreet,eacy, FRANKLi> p'kecE, Pres
tdent II The United States;
SlR:-Durlng the last twelve months, |
have been eonstaotly receiving letters, mem
orlais and nthdavits, from former citizens Of
Iowa, naw residents Of the Territory of Kan
sas, alleging that they are not protected Y
the United States officers in that territory,
IN the enjoyment of their liberty and proper
~. They charge, and the evidence supports
the charge, that 1T the first, and ut each sub
sequent territorial election, armed bodies OF
men from an adjacent state invaded the
Territory, took possession Of the polls, de-
privcd the actual settlers OF the right Of suf
frage anu perpetratcd gross eutrages upon
such citizens rs protested political sent-
ments dlsagreenbee to the invaders. By
threats and lawless violence, they securen
the election Of a majority OF tho members OF
the Legislative assem' dy,--many OF whom
we're then, and are now, citizens Of another
state. BY tins assembly code of laws was
enacted, unparalleled In the history of iegis.
lation; laws palpably unconstitutional, and
winch no man with the spirit Of n freeman
could obey without personal dishonor and
violation Of hi conscience.
In this condition Of things, and without
any attempt TO rep.l violence by violence, the
people OF Kansas sought a peaceful remedy
for the wrong that had been perpetrated, by
forming state constitution. electing state
officers. and asking admission into the Union
AS sovereign state.
Although the constitution OF the United
States declares that treason "shali consist
ONLY in levsing war; set n man holding y
commission under the seal of the United
: ties, and exercising the Office or chief
Justice in that territory, has decided tina,
the persons who accepted office under the
state constitution are guilty of treason.
Under his instructions the state officers have
been indicted, arrested and bail denied them
Under the pretenoe Of Judicial proceedings,
bat without trial or hearing OF any kind.
an armed POSSE has invaded the town of
Lawrence and destroyed printing presses,
private dwellings and n hotel. Human
Ives have been sacrificed, property to u large
amount has been destroyed, citizens have
been driven from the territory by violence,
and anarchy and disorder everywhere pre-
vail.
Among the sufferers have been former cit
izens OF Iowa, who went 10 Kansas in no
spirit of propogandism, but with the inten.
ton Of becoming permanent residents of
that territory. Three Of them have been
slain by arms said 10 have been placed by
federal officer in the hands Of 4 band Of out
laws from remote state. Some have been
compelled 10 fee from the territory for no
offence save that Of having emigra,ed from
u free state, whilst others remain there,
stripped OF their property and appeal to their
fellow citizens OF Iowa for sympathy asa
protection.
In my conviction their appeal should not
- N NttIn Ihay ~ II
on nna mad right 10 expect the protection
VI the General Government. Ia til exncc
tation they have been disappointed. Gin.
zenship has been virtually denied them.
Their right to defend themselves. and $40
keep and bear arms has been lnfrnged hy
the NJ. IT the territorial officers, sh, have
wrtsiei from them the means Of defence
wa.ie putting weapons Of offence into the
the hants Of their enemies. They have
been oppressed by n code Of inws uneau /,
led ia atFocity IN modern times. The char
-.cteF ani conduct OF the territorial jud,er
have shown that an appeal to the judicial
tribunal, Is worse than useless
iae Central boyernment having failed To
perform ~ duty by protesting the people Of
Kansas III The enjoyment Of their rights, il IL
tnanltestly the right Of each of the states 70
10 adopt inoasuru, 10 protect its former cit-
1ens. II the people OF Iowa arc hot permit
ted - ENJOY the righ,s Of citizenship in that
territory, they retain their former citizenship
~ this state, and are as much entltled to
protection trom the state while upon the pub
nc do,nain, as they would he If the general
government failed 10 protect them in q for
sgn conatry.
Whist write, an army raised in the STATE
OF Missouri, Is marching into Kansas with
The asowed purpose Of driving out all those
citizens Of tho territory who cmigrated FROM
the free states and who express u pr ference
tera Tree state constitution. Another n, med
body OF men haze placed themselves on the
rinsgf'ins route from the state of Iowa, TO
prevent at the point Of the bayonet any fur
Their emigration from this state.
The State ~ Iowa cannot be an indifTar
ens spectator OF ihse acts Of iawiess violence.
She demands that her citizens shall be pro.
tected ia Kansas, and stand unon an equal
ny there with the citizens Of other states
She Will not submit 10 he closing Of the EN-
migrant route through her domain into that
territory.
Is The Executive Of Iowa, demand for
Der citizens IN ansas, protection in the en-
layneut ~ their property. their liberty and
Their political rights. ask that the militia
~ force on the limo OF emigration into the
territory be dispersed. ss.si
eompilanco with these reasonable g., 7
quest VIII lend TO restore peace in Rax
aud quiet the public mind Of this statAs =
tue event 81 noncompliance, in nv view,
case VII have arisen, clearly within the
principle laid down bv Mr.. Madison in the
Virginia resolutions Of 1898, when il vii
be the duty Of the states 80 interaose 10
arrest the progress Of the eyils'' in TIA, tor.
risors. am very respectfully,
ioar obcdient servant,
JAMES w. GRIMES.
4 IIAgp CAsg.--A gentleman JUS, from