The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-09-05
ras orssshopper Falls Convention.

party; called to meet at Grasshopper Falls
ON the 9Th Of August, BY the late Tope-
ka Convention, assembled in the grove
near that town, ON Wednesday last. The
Convention was large, and delegations
were in attendance from every portion of
the Territory.
DR.. J. P. Root, Chairman of the Free
State Central Committee, called the meet
ing to order, and nominated G. w. SMITH,
Esq, as permanent Chairman, who WIS
elected, and on taking the Chairsfnade .
short address. He thanked the people
for the honor conferred upon him on this
occasion; said he was glad to see but one
sentiment prevailing in tic Convention.
For three years we have had no opporttf-
nifty of expressing our choice for public
officers through the ballot-box. The time
has come when we should try peacefully to
regain the rights wrested from us by fraud
and violence. Differences of opinion are
to be expected as to the best mode of get
ting 1T this fHattsr; bit the result will be
harmonious, and otfr fnai acti.m a init
He asked the Convention to give that de-
liberation to all questions which should
c6t4e before it which the Importance of
the occasion demanded.
DR.. Davis, of Leavenworth, and Mr. Fos-
ter, of Mapleton, were appointed Vice
Presidents.
On Motion of G. w. Brown, Mr.. Miller,
of Lawrence, and Mr.. Ross, of Topeka,
were appointed Secretaries. To these
were added Mr.. Elliot, of Delaware, and
DR.. kobb, of Atchisutf.
A Business Committee of twenty FIVE,
ten north of the Kansas Hiver; FIVE south
Of the Usage; and ten between those riy-
ers; was appointed ON motion of Gen.
Lane. The CotniHittee; north of the river,
consisted of A. A. Griffin, Manhattan; j..
NJ. Dufie, Delaware; Stephen A. Sparks,
Easton; G. S. Hilyer, Grasshopper; John
B. Hatterscheidt; Jas. Davis and F. A.
Adams, Leavenworth; Col Lane, Deni-
phan; w. Y. Roberts, Wyandott; and Col.
Owens. South of the river, c. w. Bab-
COG Robt. Morrow, Lawrence; VIM.
tessee, Bloomington; C. K. Holiday, To-
peka; Mr. Russell, Council City; H. M.
Selden, Waubonsa; w. Austin, Centrop-
oils; DR.. Still, Blanton; Capt Bell, Pacific
City; D. Jackman, Hyatt. South of the
Usage, Or. II. Smith, 0ttumwa; g. a.
Cutler, Leroy; Anderson johnson, Indian
apolis; Samuel Stewart, Cofachique; P. P.
Elder, Ohio City.
A Committee was also appointed to pre-
pare an address to the country in regard
to Kansas affairs.
On motion, adjourned to IL O'Clock,
Pm.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The meeting was called to order by the
Chairman.
r. 3. FOSTER, of Nebraska, being loud
~ called for, took the stand and spoke at
some length. Among other things he
said: Your enemies are the National
Administration at Washington, and the
party which elected them to power. Not
| single man connected with that party
will sustain the people of Kansas in the
effort to regain their rights. Look over
Kansas and who among the Territorial
officials are disposed to award you even.
handed justice. Make Kansas a Free
State, as you propose to do, and as / fee
you will do, and the question is settled
without a controversy for Nebraska. If
on the other hand, you allow the institution
of slavery to extend itself over Kansas, ther
the probabilities are stronger against u.
there than they are or have been at any
time against you. Iowa is coming nobly VI
1 to the work for freedom, and is bearing
her flag aloft in the present crisis. G.
forward in the good work you have un
dertaken. The eyes of the world ar
upon you, and the good and true every
where will sustain you.
Mr.. REDpATH, said there are several ques
tions the people are anxious to have solved
, LIST. Shall we vote at the October elec
ton? Some think they should, and con
tend that the Topeka Convention decide
that question. That action was taken i
consequence of the promises of Gov Walk
er. But, subsequently to that action, tn
100 foreigners here have been disfran
) chised, as has all that portion of our POI
ulation who came here since the 4th da
: of April last. We cannot vote unde
such circumstances and maintain our sell
I respect. Besides this, if We vote W
must do so before the bogus judges I
election, and report to the bogus commits
r sioners. If the Free State men go I'M
Il the election, it is probable we shall has
It a majority of the Territorial Legislator
though this is by no means certain. Ha
of the Territory is disfranchised, and Il
whole of it is so districted that we a
thrown into close proximity to the borde
But what are we to do with the Topel
Constitution and government? One bran'
:. of the party says: If We don't succe'
we must fall back upon that Others a
!. in favor of dodging the question; but
am determined they shall not, if can
the ear of this Convention. One par
: proposes when We get possession of t
!, Territorial Legislature to repeal all {
: bogus acts. and then adjourn forever.
Those who propose this, contemplate ia
ing back on the Topeka Constitution.
IF We shall then be without laws. thI