The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1857-05-30
Ill Advised.

We print In this paper, as part of
the history of the Territory, the cor
between CHAs. ROBINSON
and others, and Hon. F. P. STANTON,
Secretary of the Territory. Consider
ed as an individual expression of sem
timent, or suggestion, we have no
fault to find with the letter of CHAs.
ROBINSON and others. We yield them
the same right to speak and write
which we claim for ourselves and
we are perfectly willing that they
should take whatever course, political
ly, they may select. But thinking
they made a gross blunder in the COM
munieation referred to, and not having
been CONSULTED upon the subject. nor
in any manner bound by its admis-
sions, statements or suggestions we
repudiate the whole thing as an i'll
advised, unwarranted attempt upon
the part of its authors to compromise
the whole Free State party of the Ter
ritory, and make it the subject of the
jeers of all sensible men. The Topeka
convention passed resolution declar-
ing that the Free State party of the
Territory would not vote at the cleo
ton for delegates in June, of which
convention some of the gentlemen
whose names are appended to this
letter were members /; and, certainly If
any man is bound by the action of
that convention, those composing it
are. The action of the convention has
not been reversed, or in any manner
set aside by the party. Hence the
proceeding Of these gentlemen, so far
as they undertake to commit the Free
State party to any other line of policy
than that announced at Topeka last
March, is without warrant, and has no
binding force or effect upon any Free
State man in the Territory except
those whose signatures are attached to
the letter.
The Secretary, in his reply, can
swers these gentlemen entirely out of
court." He plants himself upon the
act of the Legislature, and from that
stand point demolishes them with per-
fectly legitimate weapons. Their prop
osition contemplated departure from
its provisions, of the act to accomplish
what might have been accomplished
under the provisions if fairly executed.
They did not purpose to repudiate the
whole act, as they seemingly in some
respects regard it as binding but
they ask what they must have known
the Secretary, under his instructions,
could not have done had he been never
so willing to accommodate them.
They should have known that if any
part of the law was recognized, the
whole of it must be ; and that it must
be administered as the officers shall find
lit. 1t is the duty of the Secretary to
see that the law is fairly executed &C.
cording to its own provisions and il
frauds were practiced under it, he
should see that they be corrected il
accordance with the provisions of the
same instrument. Having in the out
set taken the position that this move
ment for a convention should be car
ried out, the Secretary could do moth
ing else than refuse the request OF
these gentlemen, and they should have
known better than to expect anything
else.
We do not wish to be understood as
defending this convention act. We
execrate it as a most unrighteous
measure and we think the attempt Of
the administration to carry it ont is the
greatest outrage of the century. But
after accepting the appointment, we
attach no blame to the Secretary fol
the course he is pursuing. He is
simply obeying his superiors. No
favors should be expected of him by
the Free State men, but what the law
authorizes. No others will be granted.
We think there is a possible plan
by which the threatened evil may be
adverted without compromising either
the gubernatorial authorities or the
Free State party. We have suggested
it in another article.-Leauenwortl
| Times.