The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-06-13
THE UNION AND EASTERN JOURNAL.--- = RIDAA

xens. steal horses, plumber houses, and COM
init other acts, which fully entitle them TO
ali the honon belonging TO the name Of
highway robbers and land pintes. And
thew have done all this under the cloak OF
the United States Laws, and under the pro-
lection and instigation Of the Executive Of
this great Republic.
But TO close the drama, and make them
selves If possible, still more odious and con-
temptable in the eyes Of the civilized world,
and eIalt If possible the honor and glory OF
this Administration still higher in the eyes
of the South, II was necessary that greater
sacrifice must be made, city must fall =
Our sister town, Lawrence, was the doomed
place. In order to justify their course,
some pretext must be got up. 50 1t was
published to the world, that Lawrence had
resisted the United States Authorities when
no such resistance had ever occurred, or was
ever thought Of for n moment. For no peo-
ple have a purer or more patriotic love for
their country, or have obeyed the laws Of
the General Government with greater alacri-
ty than the citizens of Kansas.
The case of A. ii. Reeder was referred TO
as case ofresistance. The people are well
acquainted with the facts in the case. An
attachment was served on Reeder, while en-
gagged with the Investigating Committee at
Lawrence. He refused to obey the summons,
believing that he was privileged from ar-
rest, while contestant for seat in Con-
gress no attempt was made to take him by
force, so of course no resistance could have
been made to the laws"
The sacking ofIAwrence is then described,
as the details are given in the letters below,
we omit them, only saying that the state
ment made in the Inst letter about Hon.
David Atchison's being present and address
ing the mob, is confirmed by the Tribune in
the following extract:
The man who was once, Hon. David
AtchisOn, addressed the posse, in short and
animated speech, exhorting them to 60 to
their work of pillage and plumber, and sci
the example by loading the cannon and fir
ing the first BALL"
The account ofthe sacking being finished
the extra closes Us follows:
"Whether the object of their visit to the
State Of Kansas is accomplished or not, is q
matter yet to be made known by their move
ments, they may disband and leave as sud
denly as they came, or they may still con-
tinue to commit their depreciation upon tn,
Free State Settlers, by plundering, murder
ing, and burning. In either Case they mus
prepare to meet tho consequence Of theil
acts, for as sure us there is God in Heaven
q retribution is at hand. The policy of q
government which has become so corrupt
and debased as to sanction all or portion
Of the acts Of tyranny and oppression which
have been perpetuated upon the citizens o.
Kansas within the past few days, must soor
be changed, if not by the executive heads
it will be by the People. Forbearance long,
er to such men and such acts, ceases to be a
virtue.
The stars and stripes have ceased to bC
the emblem Of Liberty, or the United States
bayonet, to be q protection of our rights
and unless redress of grievances is grant.
ed us soon, we shall be compelled to resort
to the last cxpedicncy-that of hosting O
flag of our own, and defending our sacred
rights-the Freedom Of Speech and Liberty
of the Press-or die beneath its folds as be
come FREE MEN contending for their God
given Rights"
The next letter is written by man well
known here. With the exception of para,
graph relating to family matters, we give
it entire; and as we understand that some
of the border rufiian party, have stated that
the letter ascribed the trouble in Kansas Il
the Free State Party, we have taken the
precautlon to submit it to several persons who
do not agree with us in sentiment, that We
may not be charged with having suppressed
a word of it in which the public have any
interest. 1t will be perceived that it doe,
not contain word from which any infer
encc can be drawn, that the free state men
are censurable for anything they have done
in Kansas.