The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-08-29
Saturday Merning, august p, 1851.
Ea.zs aiteraiure.

Geary. Philadelphia: Chas. G. Rhodes.
Some time since we gave an extended
notice in these columns of Mr. HALE's
History of Kansas, which, in our opinion,
is the most valuable book yet given to
Kansas Literature. Although We have
waited anxiously for the appearance Of the
work, the title of which heads this article,
yet we must confess that its perusal does
not change our opinion of the work of Mr..
Hale alluded to. The books of Mr. Phil
lips and Mrs. Robinson, which we intend
to notice at length at an early day, are
far more complete and satisfactory as his
tories of minor incidents, and unlmport-
ant details up to the time of the appoint
ment of Gov. Geary, than the book now
before US; but when it is remembered that
this book was written more as the history
of Gov. Geary's administration than with
view to any other period before or since,
We can easily forgive the haste with which
the author passes over the first sixteen
chapters. The seventeenth chapter is re-
ally where the book begins, that is, when
its interest to us begins. The previous
chapters are tersely, briefly yet forcibly
written, it is true, and no important fact
has been overlooked which has had any
influence in shaping the destiny of Kan
sas. But they contain nothing new
nothing in relation to her early or more
recent history which has not been present
ed before-nothing but facts with which
nearly all our citizens are familiar. On
the other hand, the seventeenth and every
subsequent chapter does contain many
things which will be interesting to every
body and new to most who read them.
These chapters lay open the whole ground
work of Gov. Geary's policy-the work.
ings of that policy and its effects upon
both parties-and will, We are sure, lift
the scales from the eyes of those who
either could not or would not see and be-
lieye that Gov. Geary was true to Free
dom and Free Labor.
In giving this work to the public, the
author says he has been actuated solely
by asense of duty. And while we feel,
after reading the book, that he is unbias-
ed in his conclusions by any partisan
considerations, We are sorry that he also
claims to be unbiased by any personal
considerations also; because we could
cite many passages which betray this
feeling, notwithstanding this disavowal
We have no doubt but that the author
is sincere in making it, and we believe he
is less biased in his statements than any
other author, exceptMr. Hale, who has
yet written; but it is, in our opinion
nearly impossible to avoid one-sidednes:
in any contest between Freedom and
Slavery-between bloOdshed and anarchy
and rufiianism on the one hand, and peace
security and good government on thu
other. DR.. Gihon avows himself al0n
responsible for the contents of the volume
His official connection with Gov. Geary
gave him opportunities for information
not possessed by other writers, and the
more important facts are subStantiated by
official documents which passed through
his hands, but which are now public pro
perty.
DR.. Gihon's political predictions arr
set forth in the preface. He candid,
ayows that he came here with all his pro
eliyities in fayoro the pro-slayery party
He still ayows himself Democrat, bu
he honestly repudiates the spurious ana
tional" kind. Hear what he says:
"The author cannot be accused of an,
undue preiudices in favor of the free-soi
party. When he went to Kansas, all hi
proclivities were on the opposite side
which he did not hesitate to max
known ON all proper occasions, and anon
all classes of people. The free-soilers re
garded him as their enemy, and the pro
slavery leaders received him with marke
favor as a new accession to their force:
With the latter he constantly associated
aud his impressions were strengthened b
their representation of Territorial affair.
Hence his letters to the eastern paper
with which he corresponded, were severe
iy eondemnatory of the free-state part
of Kansas. He resisted as long as posi-
BILE the daily accumulating evidences c
his error; but with many others like hin,
self, was at length forced, though unwil
lingiy. to acknowledge the truth of tn
statements contained in this volume.
Goyernor Geary, during his admins
tration in Kansas, observed strict peu
tfality in regard to the question of slave
~, and invariably pursued that impartis
line of policy which his official document
indicate. He was, however, firm an
unwavering Democrat, and for ought ths
has appeared to the contrary, still adhere
closely to the party with which he ha
always been associated. The writer
also an advocate of the true principles G
Democracy; but he repudsates that ne,
plank which has been surreptitiously in
serted into the Democratic platform. TN
ssres to The single idea OF slavery ertens;o
an ascasdeaey orer euery other ooasidera
tioa."
Such is the Doctors political position a
defined by himself. We fear that he ha
not considered with what relentlessnes
the slave power, through its great part
machinery, follows and crllshes, or THE
to crush, those who honestly lift up thei
voices against it; especially those VIII
hare belonged to the party. We fear toe
that the Packer Democracy of Pennsyl
vania will read the Doctor ont of the pan
ty there. Il they have not already don
so. During all last summer, when sever
al citizens of Pennsylvania were impris
oned on the prairies, and surrounded b
dragons, that same Packer Democracy i