Washington sentinel., 1856-05-31
From the Charleston Mercury, May 30.
KANSAS AFFAIRS.

to break upon this battle held OF Southern
rights. To those who have watched it with
discerning eyes. the present position of affairs
win appear to be simply the fruit Of inevitable
causes From the beginning collision has
seemed to be unavoidable, though postponed
by this or that circumstance.
What will be the limits Of war begun under
such evaporation, it is impossible 10 foretell
It has in 1t all the elements of deep, long
nursed civil feud to which the North and the
South are committed parties. The news of
battle in Kansas will ring through the land,
exciting to exultation or resentment the oppo-
sing sections Of the Union. Blood we know is
maddening draught, and blood spilled in
Kansas is likely to feed flame throughout
this Union which blood alone extingnish.
The position which the South occupies in
this matter cannot fail to be a source Of pride
TO her sons On the side of law, and entrench
ed in her constitutional rights, she has calmly
awaited the onset Of abolition lawlessness
Her sons in Kansas, though stigmatized as
sborder ruflians,' have acted with moderation
and forbearance. Every outrage committed
against law has been on the side of the aboli-
tionists, who, backed by the fanaticism Of the
North, have sworn to drive out or extinguish
slavery in Kansas. They have rushed madly
on, in spite of remonstrance, Executive warn
ing, and the certainty that the most desperate
| resistance awaited them. e
And now that the issue is come and face to
face the South confronts her enemies in Kansas
now that violence threatened to swallow up
peace, and the whole country thrills with
anxiety as to what the "next news shall be-
may we not remember with satisfaction what
South Carolina has come in behalf of Kansas,
and pointing to that band of gallant spirits
who have in keeping her honor and rights, de-
mand for them not only sympathy, but real,
practical support? Never was money expend-
ed in a worther cause and never more pru.
deDtly; for Kansas is an Investment for pos
terity--for those who are hereafter to enjoy the
fruits of our zeal in defence of the institutions
of the South. The changes which break
| around US daily leave to the South no alterna-
tive but to press on or be destroyed. Fine
drawn speculations never yet saved people
or cause. And so long as rivalry is the law
Of national life, her path will be numbered with
obstacles which can only be surmoupted by
activity and courage.
Extract from letter to the St. Louis Demo
crat from its regular correspondent, dated,
LEAvENwoRTH, X. t., May Is, 1856.
left Lawrence yesterday forenoon, on foot,
and arrived in this city at midnight The road
runs through the Indian Reservaions-the
most fertile, beautiful, well watered and heavily
timbered section of the Territory but journey
on foot by this route at this section of the year.
is far from agreeable Branches and marshes
and mud holes have to be crossed. and some of
the streams are so swollen that it is necessary
for traveller to dsrobe to an extent that would
totally dsqualify him from introduction to
lady. If the next man who travels it escapes
without cold, he will be more lucky than
either my companion or myself
T. L. e. r. =. r.l.
city, has just arrived from Lecomption, with
letter from Gov. Shannon to Col. Sumner. The
nature of its contents is unknown He was in
the camp near Lecompton yesterday, and says
that there are from 500 to 200 men there. If
Col. Summers troops are ordered out, there will
be difficulty at Lawrence.
The rabid men in Lecompton hate the soldiery.
They recently discovered, to their astonishment,
that large majority of them sympathize with
the people Of Lawrence. They say that the
troops cannot be relied on. This is the reason
why Governor Shannon permitted the Marshal
to call out the "law and order" anarchists
Mr. Oliver is here. ] had talk with him
this morning. He returned from Westport on
Sunday.
told him that had been informed that he
voted at Kickapoo on the 30th March-made
FIVE in1ammatory speeches to the invaders from
Missouri.
He said he hoped some man would testify to
such statements under oath. He would Instantly
cause him to be arrested for perjury, resign his
seat in the committee, insist on being sworn as
a witness, and deny the charge in general and
in detail
He said on bis honor as gentleman, that be
never voted in Kansas, never offered TO vote,
never thought of voting, never advised any man
to vote, but on the contrary, tried to dissuade
men from voting. He made speech, or several
speeches, to the Missourians; but instead Of
being Of an infammatory character, he said they
were rather ultra conservative in tone and
spirit.
As he will call witnesses to snbstantiate these
statements, which, however, am ready to be-
lieve without any other evidence than his word.
| willnot anticipate the testimony on this point
by stating the "ponts' he made in his remarks
to the Missourians on the 3Oth OF March,
Yesterday afternoon the congressional in
vestigating commission held a secret session.
Eye witnesses of the cowardly murder Of Mr.
Brown, of Leavenworth, were examined under
oath. The men who murdered him have
never been indicted yet for they we're members
Of the claw and ORDER party, &c.
went over to Platte county Immediately
after dinner, in order to ascertain whether any
companies Of armed men we're leaving the
oihN, w aiN III thtVitiuB tue DThCOUlhN tOuc
Of the Borons Of Kansas
could ascertain nothing at Weston. there.
fore went to the VICINITY Of Platte City; took
supper at the house Of pro-slavery man, and
directed and listened to the conversation Of
half a dozen loungers who we're congregated
around the door.
One Of them remarked that he had been Mt
Platte City in the forenoon, and had seen "0ld
Dave" there, who said that he didn't intend
TO go over to Kansas again Till there was fight.
ing to be done, and then, by Cd, be would
be round.p
slept in house near the banks OF the
Missouri, and returned to this city about ten
o'clock. ] met Mr.. John Hutchinson, who left
Lawrence on Thursday morning, and arrived
here last night.
He was sent by the citizens Of Lawrence
with note to Colonel Sumner, commander Of
the troops at Fort Leavenworth requesting
him, If be could not assist the citizens IN de-
fand;nr their town at least to sustain n BODY Of