The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-09-18
l52
TcoxrrvrED FRox FIRST PAGE.

South complied with and an outrage perpetrated
towards hefree North that will never be forgotten,
even If il should ever be forgiven, because 1t was
conceived in political bad faith and reputation,
and consgmmated by political intrigue, corruption,
and PARTISAN rewards. When this bill, establish
ing the Territorial Governments of Kansas and
Nebraska, WAS passed. IL was enacted that they
should, when admitted States, be admitted
- with without Slavery, as their Constitutions
should provide" But this was not enough for
the slaveholding States, and therefore the Mis-
sour Compromise, which forbids Slavery forever
north of go 80 north latitude; that time-hon-
ored compact, that bin of repose, for which the
sagehodEg States had received and secured
forever their consideration; that bill which was
Southern measure, passed by Southern votes,
and claimed as Southern victory; that bill
which was forced by the South on the North.
But, sir, although the North-wronged, as she
felt herself TO be- 10y its passage-respected il and
aequiesced in it, still the South, with their few
dOughaced allies at the North, repealed it, after
II had been sanctioned for period OF over thirty
Years; and this, too be it remembered, without
there being single petition presented Con-
gress asking for it, while public meetings were
held throughout the country, denouncing the
measure, and thousands and tens and hundreds
Of thousands OF citizens demonstrated, in the
most urgent manner, against its repeal but it
was all in vain and then came the novel expert
ment OF submitting the subject to the people who
should come into the Territory. This was done
10 admit Slavery into the Territory, which that
Compromise forbid; and al the North ever sub
mis 10 its introduction, she will deserve to bear
all the reproaches that the South heaps upon
her. But of this have no fear. While the peo-
pie of the free States are not easily aroused at
trIiiing things, yet, when Reputation Of plighted
faith stalks abroad and the black flag OF Sla-
very hovers the Territories once dedicated 10
Freedom by solemn compact, and the thoughts
of the oppression and degradation that follow IN
the train of this social and political curse, the
free men of the free North, and free men from all
Chimes and all time to come will arise and drive
back the lawless invaders and their Border Ruff
fan army and erect the star-spangled banner
that emblem of Freedom-where all men may go
and partake of the benefits of our free institu-
lions "a provided for by our forefathers, and in
accordance with the letter, spirit, and intent of
the Missouri Compromise Act. Well, sir, this
breach OF faith in the repeal of the Missouri Act
was effected by making another plight of faith;
that Is nv providing that the settlers of Kansas
should he perfectly free TO form and regulate
their domestic institutions in their own way"
on the strength Of this last clause, and relying
on the fidelity Of the Government OF the United
states many people from the different States of
the Union emigrated TO and settled in Kansas
and what has been the result Has the Executive
or Congress kept their promise and executed that
law No, sir il has not been done; the facts
disclosed by the report of the special committee
sent 10 Kansas establish the fact, that of the
C,g3l votes cast in March, 1855, for the cleo
lion Of the Legislative Assembly of Kansas,
4.92l Of them were cast by armed bands of the
inhabitants of Missouri, who invaded Kansas for
that purpose on that occasion that only l,flO
legal votes were cast and ma ority of those
for the Free State candidate, though most
of the Free State voters were driven from the
polls. This invasion extended to all the Council
districts, and to all the Representative districts
but one and elected and controlled large ma
,ority of both Houses The people in the Terri
tory have not been left free, but have had their
homes invaded and suhjugated and they are,
aud their institutions have been, controlled by
the people of Missouri, the arms of that State
have been used against the Free State emigrants
going Ia Kansas, by the tyrannical laws passed
by that Assembly, and more tyrannically en-
forced by the officers 10y them appointed. The
President of the United States has aided to
force these laws, passed 10y usurpation and fraud.
The complaints and appeals OF the people IN said
Territory have been made in vain; their repre-
srntaiions have been treated with indifference
and neglect the property of the Free State peo-
pie has been destroyed and stolen; their build
ings have been burnt their printing offices have
been suppressed, 10 prevent their making known
the oppression, crimes, and atrocities, under
which they were subjected; the people have
been hunted out, they have been hung, they have
been murdered; their cattle killed in their pres
ence; they have been warned out, one after
another to leave the Territory: they have been
driven out of the Territory, by violence, in large
numbers Yes Mr. Chairman, you may find them
fleeing from the midnight blaze of their own
dwellings, Yon may find their homes bleaching
the green fields of this new country. You may
find them driven OIL TO "A returness distance from
their country and their homes You may find some
Ofthem here at the capital of the nation, this very
day. who have been indicted, by this mockery of
justice in Kansas, for constructive treason, int
ploring the Executive and bcseeching Congress
do something, SO that they may be allowed to
have "A fair and impartial trial, 10y change of place
of trial ST. Louis, any other place, except in
Kansas, where there is not the first principle of
Justice administered towards Free State men
they ask this, that they may he tried, and then
return TO their homes in Kansas. Well sir, up
this time, measure, except IN this House,
has been Instituted TO ferret out the wrong under
which the Free State people in Kansas have Suf-
fered; and, in my humble opinion, but for the
sending out of the committee from this House,
civil war would be now raging beyond the limits
of the oppressed and outraged infant Territory of
Kansas, and more bloody would have been
enacted outside than in said Territory Fortu-
nately however, for humantys sake, a majority
uf this House were true to the great principle
at the formation of this Republic, which was TO
establish LIBERTY AND EoUALITy.
Me- Chairman, the people of Kansas, thus OPP
pressed and subjugated, have appealed to Con-
preas for relief; they have complained and strug-
gled in vain They have done the people of
the Territory of Michigan and California have done
before them: that is, formed n State Constitution,
inviting all Ia participate therein, and presented
the same TO Congress for admission but all such
attempts have but brought down on them the
r-proach OF being traitors, and subverters of
authority, and, in the language OF the Senates
report
Abandoned their oppreSsors the Free State people
have i-en pursued 10y them the spirIi
winch made the INVASION Tue acts of said Assembly
have by officers been made the color all forms
%, political persecution and oppression. Indictments for
constructive aud pretended nuisaHc-s deprive
Them of liberty destroy IeIr properly. Under
sherr posse. armed lands OF people iron with
. The Territory Prov over H. take and destroy prop
cry aud lives aud liuiare drive oh the Free
Yeopr Tl~s- people have thus, for several months
,,i h.. b,r,-.-d and scattered and any attempt al
-elfdetrnc- reprSrd the Amy oi the TIM
STATES riarcd o,s irt freaso" and treated
accoringy. The SETTLERS have thus, Ia large numbers,
L-e driven from their settlements. and from the ferTi
Tory Tins bref and feeble statement OF the facts
A fufi picture al public strccies and private violence
svEle been committed with Inipunl'y upon the Free
ie people Kansas. would excite aud arouse the deep
eSt sentiment Indignation
III would be- demanded ty sense OF common
aSr' sud b. what ir nai'on owes as wei to The cause
al truth A. char and scli-repcci- that
the public fai, h. redeemed 10y rrdS>Iis an Tue wrongs
produced b. such fais ~ not proposed nor IS
the at r-ppSc Ia be restored or me Constitution A.
s..dy formed ~ b- all wed.
Ru, stead OF proposed to consummate
the hoI- 10y leaving usurpatlon n possession OF ats power
provide security tor those They Inprison oTprrss
and dSp-rse but that those there those
only SHALL fhe d.huIye condon OF thai Terri
cory ny uox forming Sia~ Constitution. This Is but Id
-nrourac- violence bv riding with that
ny result such experiment VIII produce drhnIive
,,onaI peace and .mise iom to suppose The people Of
nis country bind 10 the power of ordinary dscernmeh
or every seminar al justice and hHmanhy"
This Mr. Chairman is a brief historical state