The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1856-01-26

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We are glad that the troubles in Kan
sas are over forthe present, and without
the bloodshed which was spprehended !;
aud We hope that it is the last time that
the people of sn adjoining State viii
have to be called in to regulate me affairs
of that Territory.
There have been great errors commit
ted in regard to the organization Of Kan
sas. The first error was in the admission
of foreigners to vote without naturalist
ton. The second was. in the forcible
interference of citizens Of Missouri 70
control the elections. The third was. in
the Legislature assuming 70 make ape
pointments of all officers for six years.
The fourth was. in recs gnizing the power
of the Legislature 70 make laws. and
then refusing to obey them. And the
fifth was, In calling in an armed power
from Missour RI to enforce the laws. But
the greatest error of all was in incorpo-
rating clause in the Kansas-Nebraska
bill to repeal the Missouri Compromise.
We call that the greatest error because it
produced all the others, and threw not
only Kansas, but the whole Union into
state of excitement, from which it
would have been exempt, had the nation
al Legislature acted with more prudence
and justice.
1t was intended, it has been said, that
the actual settlers of Kansas should have
the control of their own legislation but
such was not the case-for it is notorious
that transient persons took the elections
into their own hands and, after having
chosen legislators TO suit their views,
retired to their own State. But it is said
that this step was justi6able, inssmuch
as the free States had sent colonists to
Kansas. This was q proceeding within
the limits of the law, and could not be
prevented; and afforded no justification
for the interference of people who had
no intention of becoming residents Of
Kansas. 1t did not matter who paid the
expenses of emigrants to Kansas, if such
emigrants went there to reside perma-
nently; and not 10 effect certain object,
and then to retire. The Territory was
open to settlers from all parts of the
Union-and the people of Missouri. or
any other slave Sta.e, had the right to go
there and settle; but they had no right
to march over in body-seize the polls
vote in members of the Legislature to
suit themseIves-and then return totheir
homes. If this kind of preference be
justi6able. the people of Pennsylvania,
living upon the borders of MARYLAND.
might arm themselves, come over into
some of the counties Of our State, take
forcible possession of the polls, elect abb
olitionists, and then retire. What citi-
zen of Maryland would tolerate such an
outrage? Would we recognize the "a.
thority of persons thus elected? osr-
tainly not. Nor can it be justified in
the case of Kansas. The actual settlers
of that Territory should have been left
free to choose theirown rulers.
1t seems that the people OF Kansas
could not be intimidatsd into surrender
of their arms, with an armed force at
their doors. They refused to yield to
this demand of Gov. Shannon, but con-
sented to obey the laws, and thus the
matter ended. The Governor was TOO
wise to bring the dispute to extremity,
and he therefore disbanded the Missou-
rians whom he had called 10 his assis-
lance. But for this. act of prudence.
torrents of blood might have been shed,
and our country disgraced by civil war.
We trust that We have heard the last of
the affair, and that the Governor will
hereafter be as ready TO enforce the law
against the one side as the other. Let
the people of Kansas do their own vot-
ing and whether they decide for or
against the admission of slavery, the
rest of the Union should be content. We
care not what may be the result, though
| we are free to declare, that We have never
entertained the opinion that Kansas
| would become q slave State. Foreign
emigration will prevent that, as it has in
other Territories. Baltimore Clipper.
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