The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-07-11
For tie Herald Of Freedom,


Parry Tactics.
1t seems to be well understood that the
Free State men are to take part in the cleo
ton in October, for both the Delegate to
Congress and the Representatives to the
General Assembly of the Territory; but
that the Free State party win not adopt
this policy. The individual members of
this party are advised to go into the cleo
ton on the day prescribed by the bogus
authority; but the party are to adhere to
their State organization. The reason for
this policy is. substantially, that the party,
having taken position In antagonism to
the bogus government, will not by any
act recognize any legality or authority in
it.
There seems to US just about the differ
ence between the determination of the
individual members of party doing a
certain thing, and the organized party, as
there is between "tweedle dunn and twee-
die dee" We regard the Free State par
ty as nothing more nor less than an aggre-
cation of the Free State men of the Ter
ritory. 1t is not power over the people,
but only the result of harmony of opinion
among them.
If the policy above indicated is carried
out, the anomaly of direct conflict be-
tween the Free State men and the Free
State party is apparent. The people, in
their individual capacity, doing that which
| is unqualifiedly condemned bv the party,
coming down to the individuals them
selves, it stands thus: They, as Free State
men, will go into the election; but as Free
State party men will denotlnce it as still
another act in the drama of border ruffian
villainies. Let us look at the logic of
this. If it is wrong for party to take
this course, why not equally wrong for
individuals to do the same thing. What
is the difference between Free State man
and Free State party man? In what at
titude does it place the members of the
Free State party by adopting this policy
and still holding fast to the State organi-
cation? Each man that votes will be in
evitably traitor to his party. 1t might
be well to inquire what penalties this or
ganization, known as the Free State party,
will denounce against the participation in
the October elections; and is each man to
infiict self punishment? Are the Offend
ers to do penance for a season for the
wrong they will have done their party?
This idea of keeping the people out
side of the party, and saddling upon them,
instead, the responsibility of their acts,
in this instance is too absurd for any seri-
| nI.c IoIi Ill., H.
generally will take part in the October
election, and among these will be the
leaders of the Topeka organization. In
the late Convention at Toreka it was re-
solved to cling to the State organization.
Acts were passed by the Legislature per-
petuating its existence. A call is pub
llshed for convention to nominate State
officers and a Representative to Congress.
Now, how shall we take these menu
which is to be regarded as reliable? The
declaration that the party will have moth
ing to do with the election; or the acts of
individuals of that party in voting at such
i election? What confidence would be
placed in man who would in the most
solemn manner declare he would not do a
certain thing, and then go on and do it,
This is what the Topeka party will be
guilty of, if the policy they have indica-
ted is followed through. They cannot
escape from it.
Many of the leaders of this organiza-
ton have repeatedly recognized an exist
ing authority in the bogus Legislature by
their individual acts They have obtain
ed charters for towns, and organized I'M
der such charters, and up to this time
have recognized them in all respects as
lawful and binding. What respect can
be entertained for the honesty of men
who will advise Others not to do what
they themselves have done, with full
knowledge of the character of those acts,
and a thorough comprehension of their
consequences? When favors could be
got from bogus authority, it happened
that these sticklers for constitutional rights
and pure authority have ignored the fact,
and accepted them without any apparent
compromise of dignity or position. But
when it is proposed to exercise the voters
| privilege under this same AUTHORITY, then
we hear the hue and cry of "border ruff
fan usurpation," bogus authority" &C.,
and no voting must be done because this
will be an acknowledgment of the legiti-
macy of the government. The Free State
party must stand aloof, and maintain their
own organization. The plain English of
this seems to US to be, that these men are
not 50 much opposed to the Territorial
government; dis they are in favor of the
State organization; that they fear the re-
suits of general participation i'll an cleo
ton under Territorial authority will be to
interfere materially with the maintenance
of their position in the State government,
and with their political purposes and as
pirations for the future. They desire that
the Territorial government be taken from
pro-slavery hands; but do not wish the
Free State party to do it, as that would
be compromise of position, and that
shotild be avtidedy that the State govern
ment which that party stistditls should be
ready to take the place of the Territorial
organization. That would be such glo-
rious thing for the present incumbents.-
There is little fear that the people will not
see through this farce to secure the spoils
of office.
Now, by the foregoing words We do not
wish to be understood as sustaining the
legality of the Territorial Legislature
On the contrary, We look upon the whole
rule of the pro.slavery party in Kansas
as an usurpation and a fraud, and the gov
ernttient by itself unworthy of respect;
and the laws ifiost of then, infamous, and
none of them of any binding authority.
But we desire to let the people understand
how easy it has been for some of the Free
State leaders to overcome their scruples
against the bogus Legislature when their
interests were involved. The Federal |
Government has recognized the Terrific
rial Government here, notwithstanding its |
spurious origin, and we have got to take
possession of it through the means of the |
ballot box, If at aiI. We do not suppose |
that there are any WHO deliberately pro-
pose to bring themselves in conflict with /
the central power; and we have the alter