Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-09-16
TAE RAF TsMAN's JOURNAL,
KANSAS AFFAIRS.


Evidence of the most conclusive kind is af.
forded by the letters of our Kansas correspon.
dent, which we publish to-day, that the pre-
tense under which Gov. Walker occupied Law.
renee with large military force was just as
false as all his other professions and public an
nouncements have proved TO be. The pre-
tense under which Walker, like a second Gov
ernor Gage, assembled at Lawrence not only
all the regular forces properly appropriated to
Kansas, but the troops of the sham Utah expe-
dition, and those which ought to have been
employed in repressing Indian outrages in Min
nesota, was that the people of Lawrence were
about to put into operation local municipal
government agreed upon by themselves-an
act which the Governor stigmatized as nothing
less than treason, and which he declared his
intention and determination to prevent and
suppress by the strong hand, if the citizens
warned in season, and frightened by the ap-
pearance of the Governor, his soldiers, and his
proclamation--did not desist of their own ac-
cord. Nevertheless, under the very noses of
Governor Walker and his troops, and in spite
of his proclamation, this voluntary municipal,
or as Walker would have it, reasonable and
rebelliouS Government has organized itself,
and is in full blast, not only enacting ordnan-
ccs and publishing them in their papers, and
raising money by voluntary subscription in ad-
vance OF taxes, but even going so far as to ar
rest murderers-a business which the bogus
authorities have no leisure to attend to-all
their time and thoughts being devoted to pros
ecutions of FREQ State men for treason and u
surpation of office, and in laying and project
ing plans tor the election of new bogus Leg
islature. And what is more, the acts of the
Lawrence Municipal Government in this be-
half seem to bc recognized and ratified by the
Deputy. United States Marshal at Lccompton,
whose letters to the Lawrence authorities re-
questing them to forward the prisoner, afford
81 fna of Rordar T1ti,. m,
This concentration by Walker of troops at
Lawrence, and the new troops which are daily
being marched into the Territory, evidently
have some other object in view than to prevent
the Free State men from organizing local mu-
nicipal governments. These troops are doubt
less marched thither with view to the ap-
preaching October election, and to assist in
perpetuating power in the bogus hands by
which it has been exercised for the last two
years. To effect this purpose, intrusive ruff
fans from Missouri--though the Territory has
been districted with an exclusive view to their
convcnience-cannot any longer be implicitly
relied upon. There is in Missouri itself a
good deal less of the Border-R uffian spirit,
and the volunteers organized by Gen. Lane to
defend the polls against invasion from abroad,
must doubtless have tended to abate good
deal the ar1or OF that spirit. The Missouri in
vsders have had some experience of Lane.
He drove them out of the Territory once be-
fore, ana ne might be apt 10 DO so again. 1t
is pretty clear that those numerous bodies of
regular soldiers are intended to supply tho
place occupied by armed invaders from Mis-
sour during the former elections. Kansas will
present what this country has never yet seen,
and what is totally inconsistent with the small
est remnant of freedom, every voting place oc-
cupied by an armed guard of mercenares, and
the votes given, as it were, at the point of the
bayonet. These mercenary soldiers will not,
perhaps, attempt to vote themselves, though
that is not By any means certain, but they will
at least sustain and defend the bogus officers
Of the polls in rejecting or admitting whatever
votes they please. A wholesome terror of the
indignation of their outraged fellow-citizens
might otherwise have kept those bogus officials
within certain bounds; but, with guard of
regular soldiers to back them, they will feel
encouraged to carry out boldly the programme
OF fraud embodied in the bogus apportionment.
As our correspondent observes, the prospect'
for the Free-State men is gloomy enough. 1t
is not likely that there will be any hesitation
on the part of Walker and the bogus authori-
ties, at any trick any fraud necessary to OBJ
tain anominaImajority. President Buchanan.
in his recent letter on Kansas affairs, has laid
down the doctrine that possession is not only
nine points Of the law but perfect title. One
advantage, however, is certain-the bogus
rulers OF Kansas will be driven to the necessity
OF giving new test of their quality-one such
as'possibly may startle even Mr.. Buchanan him.
self.-N. Y. Tribune.