Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-05-16
Gbt Ommant 4Benit.
nRATrLnnoRo. VT.
What if Kansas Become a Free state7


What if Kansas Become Free Slater
We have never given over the hope that
Kansas, in the distant future at least, would
become free State. We have chung to the
expectation because we know that freedom is
stronger mot more ariul) than slavery, because
all the forces Of the age 60 to the increase Of
the former and the whitening Of the latter, and
because the drin of our national history shows
that Providence never designed this great and
glorious country 10 become huge slave-pen
among the christian sovereigniIes of the earth.
And when we have seen the flood tide Of free
population, labor, capital and intellect rolling
into Kansas during the last two years, our hopes
have been confirmed.
And yet, in spite Of these considerations, the
probability that Kansas would begin her career
in the Union as slave State has steadily been
uppermosi. She is at this moment slave ter
ritory. She is under the legislative control of
the Border RufTians in Missouri. Shells on the
point of forming a slave constitution, and unless
the general government intervene, that consti-
tuition must become her organic law. Such is
the effectiveness Of the slave power, aided by
party machinery, and countenanced by the adj
minisiration at home.
But sopposing, for The moment, that this
slave power should be foiled and Kansas come
in free-whose would be tho credit Certainly
mot the Border Rufiiahs, and just as certainly
NOT those who have aided and abetled every
step ofthsirs-the so-called national democrats.
These men, whether 10 Missouri or Vermont.
whether avowedly hoping slavery would sue
coed in Kanzas or languidly saying that there
was no danger of its succeeding, have all done
what they could to make it succeed. Although
some of their papers have talked about letting
the people Of Kansas decide the question for
themselves, yet not one of them has rejoced
over the election at Leavenw0rth, by which
the people Of that city, without any outside
interference, chose free State Mayor. They
reserve their congratulations ill the people
shall decide the other way. On the other
hand, the opponenents of the present admins
traIion have strained every nerve and employed
every opportunity to further The case of the
free state men of Kansas. Men and money
have gone to their aid, And if now, nolwilh-
standing all these efforts, the immediate pros
pect is doubtful, what woold have been the re-
suit in their absence, bnt he ready, complete
/ and long continued success of The Border Ruff
/ fansl No, if Kanzas ever does become free
State, none under Heaven can have the credit
but the free State men. there aid here.
But again, surprising she should become a
free State, what will be the resulll On this
point we will let one of the most rabid fire
eating papers-the Richmond South--give its
answer and we are most happy 10 record So
much prophetic wisdom in such quarter.
"Kansas will become an outpost Of abotionism,
garrisoned by the mast restless, adventurous and
fearless spirits which may be rallied in support of
the The first blow will fall upon Missouri,
whose frontier lies open to the ravages of the enc
my, and whose power of resistance is enfeebled by
domestic distraction and disaffection. With Illi-
nois on one flank Kansas on another, and ''eman-
cipation' triumphant and defiant in the heart OF
the state, Missouri will fall an easy and early prey
to anti-savery propagandism. 1t will be so-no
power can prevent the catastrophe--if Kansas is
lost to the South
very movement VIM ihcrehse hi momentum at each
step of its progress for every success will multiply
its resources, and stimulate it to yet more auda-
cious enterprise. From the vantage ground Of
Kansas, it will be enabled to subdue slavery in
Missouri. The conquest of Missouri will open the
way through Kentucky and Tennessee, to the
stronghold of slavery in the Atlantic states of the
South.
J Meanwhile, other abolition forces from New Eng
land, in the disguise of free-abor colonies will be
operating directly upon Maryland and Virginia
aud so hemmed in by constantly contracting cir
Gle, slavery must ultimately expire of its own in
ternal pressure and suffocating weight even if il
does not first fall under some assault of violence.
This is no hazardous prophecy. 1t is only trac-
ing the connexon between visible causes and inev-
liable effects. Such is the doom of slavery-unless
the South resolve in season to intercept the catas-
trophe, by some adequate measure of protection.
What is thatl''
Yes, indeed, "what is that" The editor
pauses with terrible significance. We hope
his pause will be long one-for he has played
the prophet so well, that we are afraid he will
make himself ridiculous when he resolves him
self into committee Of ways and means to
shut up ''the connection between visible causes
and inevitable effects"
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