The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-02-05
AFFAIRS IN KAN SkS.
LAWRENCE, KANSAS, Jan. Is, 1851.

To the Editor Of tie National Fra:
The Convention closed its doings last night
have already given you all of Importance thai
transpired on the first day of its session. The
second day, the Committee on Permanent
Organization made their report, and the Con
vention went into an election, which resulted
in the choice Of Attorney General Isaacs as
Chairman, and the election Of the other nom
inees of the Committee. Attempt was made
early in the day, to expel Captain Hampton from
the Convention. This gentleman was mem
Der of the late grand jury at Lecompton, and is
now master Of convicts, by appointment from
Governor Geary. Sheriff Jones, previous TO his
resignation, claimed superior authority over
the Free State prisoners, and wished to chain
them. Hampton refused, and denied that Jones
had any power in the premises since which,
Jones has had nothing to do with them. Hamp.
ton has always treated the prisoners with the
greatest kindness; and for this has subjected
himself to the hatred Of all the drunken robbers
and gamblers of Lecompte's and Jones's school,
around Lecompton. AT this time Jones intro
duced into the Convention a resolution for the
expulsion of Hampton, or account Of his non
residence IN the district from ,ohich he aoas cho-
sen. General McLane, chief clerk in the Land
Office, at once knocked over the pretext, by
making a speech in its favor, in which he de-
clared that the desire for Hampton's expulsion
arose out of hatred he had incurred by his hu
name course toward the prisoners, and his hav-
ing been one of the grand jury which indicted
Major Clark, Stringfellow, and others, as a
sham against the three or four hundred indict
ments and arrests Of Free State men. He also
doubted the trueness of Hampton as a Pro-Sla.
very man-thought, at least, that he would be
averse to the adoption of any ultra measures
for the prosecution of the Free State party
Hampton defended himself by saying that his
kindness towards those in his charge was not
only for the sake of humanity but of policy
also, and asked the appointment of q committee
to investigate the charges against him. He
afterwards, as he told me, proved himself an
answering Pro-Slavery man before the Com
mittee, who reported in bis favor and whose
report was adopted by the Convention.
A Committee on Resolutions was appointed
on the second day; and on the third, they re.
ported platform for new party, to take the
place Of the present Law and Order party. This
new party is declared in one OF its resolutions,
to be the National Democratic PARTY IF Kan.
sas." The greater part Of the discussion on
the last day was upon this changing of name.
Some Of the old Wings felt somewhat averse to
take upon themselves the name Of q party which
they had so long considered a natural enemy.
other side-the principal ones by General Cal.
houn, Ex-Governor Shannon. and FIX Governor
Ransome, of Michigan. Cahoun's was long
winded trade of abuse against everybody who
was not willing to aid in forcing Slavery into
Kansas. He thought Governor Geary should
hang all the Abolitionisis in the Territory, and
catch and bring back to punishment those who
have ed to the States for their lives let the
cost be what it might. Shannon's remarks
were decidedly dry. His principal object was
to show that for years the Democratic and Whig
parties had been laboring for the same end
the Extension of Slavery--and there had been
no material difference in their creeds since
1913; and, in proof, cited the Baltimore Plat
form, the same that the Republicans have
claimed ever since, but which has always been
strenucusly denied by the opposition. Ransome
went into an argument on the justice OF Sla-
very. His great point was, that Slavery eleraie3
the black race. / will give but one Of his argu-
ments, which will answer as specimen of his
whole speech. He said that "the Southern
negro had been so much improved by cicilized
Serottude, that they acerc aOaU as mach superior
to the native a frican, as the European is 10 the
Ape." The Ex-Governor is about to make Kan
sas his home, believe. With his intelligence. |
think our people may, at no distant period, be-
come quite equal to the American civilized
negro! We shall all hope so. The Platform
all through is such as might be expected-a
reteration of the old Border Ruffian code. I
have aot yet been able to procure it, owing to
reasons hereafter to be seen by the reader.
Governor Geary, understand, still holds out
against the doctrines OF the Convention, and
says if they compose Democracy, he is no
longer Democrat. hope, now that he seems
to manifest some returning sense, that he will
act out the feelings it should stimulate.
The Legislature appointed committee. on
Tuesday, to wait upon the Governor and inform
him that they were ready TO receive any com
m unication he might have to make In short
time he sent into each House copy of his mes.
sage, which was at once ordered to be read by
the clerks.
The message falls far short of the expecta.
lions Of the conservative Free State people. or
hose who had confidence In his future policy.
10 be sure, 1t recommends the repeal of the
principal obnoxious laws, or their modification |
But this is not all we want. His action might
De likened to Judge, who, in case highway |
nan was brought before him, charged with |
'obbing traveller of thousand dollars and |
him to give his note for FIVE hun |
lred more, would decide that the robber should |
,ice up the note, and keep The money The |
people of few border counties of Missouri |
lave robbed US of our SURFACES, and elected q |
legislature to rule over u, which has made a |
lode OF laws for that purpose. In this code are |
! few enactments more obnoxious than the rest |
These, Geary would have them repeal; but the |
'thers he would enforce against people who |
he knows had nothing to do in making any of |
hem, directly or indirectly. He eulogizes the |
Legislature In the highest terms possible, and |
axes great pains to go out of his way to con- |
hot he Il
,erning their validity.
Just as the members of the Council were
about leaving the hall on Tuesday, where | |
vas engaged in collecting and arranging nv |
notes, Deputy Marshal Fulton arrested me. on |
warrant issued out by Judge Lecompte. |
charging me with being engaged at the Titus |
light last August. But little more than three |
weeks ago, had been released on bail for the |
anne offence. However, l found l could do |
10 better than to accompany him. Several of |
ny friends and some kind gentlemen, who had |
never before seen me, Immediately came to |
o my aid, Offering bail so l demanded to be
AIKEN before the United States Commissioner,
Who admitted me in additional bail to the
amount of three thousand dollars, making the |
whole sum in which l am now held, eight thou
and. AS soon as the bond was com peted. I |
eturned to the. Council Chamber, and again |
vent about my business. The object of my |
enemies was only to prevent my reporting their |
proceedings, particularly those in the Conven
ion. That night, gang of ruffians followed |
ne to the platform of the stairs, which is on |
be outside of the hall of the house in which
he Convention meets, and on level with the |
econd floor, with the intention of throwing me
III. Seeing their object, l hurried on, and
mingled with the crowd, SO that they were un.
'ble to distinguish me.
The next day, a large mob was raised for
ne purpose of seizing my reports and destroy.
ng them, and of killing me, if possible. Mr.
'hillips, of the Tribune, was probably to be