The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-06-20
oral government Of Kansas?


Tho election which chose the men who,
claiming to DO u legislature, passed the sub
joined act, was not an election by the peo-
pie Of Kansas. The people OF Missouri,
embodied and armed. entered the territory,
drove the officers Of the election from their
posts, the people from the polls, and rcceiv-
ing only the votes Of the invaders, returned
only invaders TO the legislature. The IN
habitants, except where known to be SUD
seryient, were not permitted to participate
In the wretchcd farce that was dignuicd
with the title of an election; and the con-
Querors, having completed the subjugation
Of a peaceful American community, return
ed, in staggering triumph, to their homes
in Missouri. But the work was fully and
effcctually done. The entire government Of
Kansas was transferred TO Missouri. Be-
tween President Pierce, ex-senator Atchi-
son and their complotters, the people Of the
territory were utterly disianchised; and
the government, executive, legislative and
judicial, was placed in the hands of conquer
ors and foes, OF functionaries without char
acter, conscience, prudence or moderation,
who, under the frenzy Of faction, stimula-
ted by habitual indulgence in excitement
and unrcstrained by the cheeks Of self-re-
epect OF of reverence for a wholesome pub
lie sentiment, have rushed on towrongs and
crimes that menace and may involve death
to the hopes Of a world, but Of which are
equally incapable Of coneeiying thought
or cherishing u care.
This humiliating and terrible truth-hu-
initiating because Il disyraoes the American
character, and terrible because, standing
upon the oyerthrown rights Of the people,
ii invites disunion and civil war-has been
ascertained, in the Investigations Of the
Congressional Committee, by indisputable
and undisputed testimony; il is incorpOra-
ted with the records Of the nation, and Is u
part, a most unhappy part, of the history
Of our country.
The legislature thus forced upon Kansas
by her invaders, composed OF those inyad-
ers, under the countenance Of the national
administration, passed the following act
There is nothing in the annals of the age
that so disgraccs the age. The people OF
Kansas have, from the first, denied the au-
thority Of the act. Ii is denied that even
the principle Of government, wrongful but
de tacto, applies; for its authority has new
or been recognized nor admitted. On the
contrary, ii has been, until the popular SOW
crcignty was oyershadowed by the despot-
ism of the general government, SUCCESSFULLY
resisted. Ii is denied, because its inhuman
and bloody provisions are at war with the
spirit of the observation-disclosures il was
passed in violation Of the fundamental law
Of the territory, irregularly, and at place
not recognized by the Governor, the peOple,
nor the law, as the appointed seat of gov
ernment-but, above all, because enacted by
body OF armed invaders, who did not
claim then, have not claimed since, and
most of whom do not even now effect, % be
residents or citizens, or 20 possess any other
authority than that which is acquired UNI
der the right Of conquest.
We ask the people Of Pennsylvania to ex-
anime this act, and to determine whether
the alleged infactilns of such law, 50
passcl, by such men, under such circum-
stances, can afford vindcatiOn io- the en-
listment of lawless mob, ripe for murder
and ready for rapinc, TO invade q peaceful
American community, and TO prosecute
with fire and sword, an inhuman and in
spring war upon those whom we cherish
and should protect rs brethren. Read th,
statute. and remember that il is law, no
of an Infatuated southern State, but Of IN,
nation-0nc for which You rs nm American
citizen, are responsible to your conscience
and your country. 70 time, and to eternity
CHAPTER CLL-SLAVES.
IA act 10 pagisk or noes 1gaitss Sure Property
/. PG''ons raising in'nrreeIion punishable
with death
2. Alder punishable with death
J. What constitutes fylony.
!. Punishment ior Jecoying away slaves,
. Punishment i0r assisting slaves,
u. What dSenletl grand larcrEy.'
What dyvmcd irIouy.
y. Punishable for cuncelliny slaves.
o. Puul-huIeH, iur Te>culng slaves from ohcCr-
10. Penalty on officer who rci,ises la assist i
capturing slave.
IL. priuliIs incendilry documents
IL Who are qualiicl a Jurors.
BE IL enacted byihe GordRor aud Lcgislaiir
assembly Of the Territory Of KaHsas, a
JollOIrS:
Section |. That every person, bond q
free, who shall BE- convicted Of actually raj,
ins rebellion or instruction of slaves, Ere
negroes or molattoes, in this territory, shal
suI,r death.
Section >. Every free person who shall
aid or assist in any rebellion or instruction
of slaves, free negroes or mulattoes, or shal
furnish arms. or do any overt act in further
ancc of such rebellion or instruction, shall
suir.r death.
Section 3. If any free person shall, b.
speaking. writing or printing, advise, per
suade or induce any slaves 20 rebel, cOnspir
against or murder any citizen OF tins Terri
tory, or shall'bring into, print, write, pub
lish or circulate, or cause to h. broughtinto
printed. written, pGblishcd or circulated
ar shall knowingly all or assist in the bring
ing into, printing, writing. publishing o
circulating, in this Territory, any book
paper, magazine phamphlct or circular, fO
the purpose of exciting insurrcctiOn, REBEL
ion, revolt or conspiracy on the part of III,
slaves, free negroes or mulattoes, against III,
citizens of the Territory or any part of them
such person shall be guilty Of felony ant
suffer death.
Section 1. If any person shall enticc
dccOy or carry away out of this Territory
any slave belonging to another, with intcn
ton TO deprive the owner thereof the ser
vice Of such slave, hc shall he adiudsel
guilty of grand larceny, and, on conviction
thereof, shall suffer death, or DC impriSOnet
n; hard labor Cor not less than ten years.
Section If any person shll aid OF
assist IN enticing, decOying, or pcrsualing
or carrying away, or sending out of Thu
Territory any slave belonging to another
with intent to procure or effect the freedom
Of such slave. or with intent to deprive Oh,
owner thereof of the services of such slave
he shall be adjudgcd guilty Of grand larceny
and, on conviction thereof shall suffer death
or he imprisoned ut hard labor for not les
than ten years.
Section g. lf any person shall enticc,
dccoy, OF carry away out OF any State OF
other Territory, Of the United States any
slave belonging to another, with intent t.
procure or elect the freedom Of such slave,
or to deprive the owner thereof Of the ser,
vices Of such slave. and shall bring such
slave into this Territory, he shall be adiudg,
ed guilty Of grand larceny, in the same man.
ncr Us ii such slave had been cnticcd, de-
coycd or carried away out ofthis Territory,
and in such case the larceny may be chargel