Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1857-08-20
CHAPTER Xxx.
Sacking of Lawrence.

CHAPTER X.
Saclring of Lawrence.
The course taken by the Pro-Savery leaders
in Kansas was well worthy of the tools who
ruled the Territory ami the minds of the lead
ers found ready responses in the class Of men
who had emigrated from the South. An expe-
rience in the hall of our National Congress,
where, alas too many men learn system of
false policy to cover up evil designs, gave the
oigarcby an advantage over the more honest
and candid portion of the settlers. who had
gone there for the sole purpose of finding them
selves home. They did find one, and finding
il found burial ground They did not go
prepared to battle for freedom of speech and
action hence it was no wonder that fraud and
lreachery should succeed when committed in the
name of Law, and receiving the sanction of
those to whom The affairs of the Territory were
entrusted. Yet, from among these men have
sprung up heroes whose names are dear TO all
lovers Of truth and justice.
During the whole struggle for Freedom, the
policy aimed by the Slavery extensionists was
by system of wrong and outrage upon the
Free State settlers, to, if possible bring them
into collision with the United States troops
which were stationed there auo,oedly for the re
enforcement of the laws and the maintenance of
the citizens in the exercise of their just rights
and privileges. Could these schemes have been
consumated and carried into effect, it would
have formed grand pretext for series of out
RACES, rivalling all former deeds of violence
With wise sagacity, which throws credit up
on the Free State men, such course, which
they well knew would prove disastrous to their
own safety and the interests of Freedom, was
carefully avoided, and as time after time they
received indignity and injustice, they bowed
subm issive, simply because it was Lao. Not
law such as is founded upon the principle of
equity to all men. but that law framed by the
violaters OF the Diuine La,o for the protection
of the few against humanity and the rights oil
the many. A few men in whose minds the
provisions and principles Of a Higher Law
reigned supreme to all statutes framed by hu
man hands, asked, " What is federal authority ty
to us when it protects our murderers ~ Witt
God and humanity for their motto, there wert
enough to have armed themselves and swep
every aggressor from the soil. But this woul(
only have been the dawning of storm which
ere it had spent its fury, might have been the
cause of the Two wings Of our confederacy dis
solving their connection-a connection mad
dear by the remembrance of both Eutaw ant
Bunker Hill They trusted that non-resistanc
on their part would at length procure for then
freedom from oppression. But consumma
,ion of their hopes, however devoutly wished
they were not destined to see.
The sun of the ever memorable morning O
the 2lst of May, 1856, shone with unc,oude
brillancy on the citizens of Lawrence. TIL
usual vigilance which had characterized tn
Free State settlers since the commencement o
the troubles, had partially subsided, and the.
dreamed not that ere the sun should cast it
departing rays upon the town, homes were t.
be desecrated, their wives and daughters insult
ed and outrages committed which could onl
originate in the minds of men who, in thei
blind devotion to the Save-Power. could Sc
nothing wrong in taking from its opposcrs thei
liberty, and even the lite given them by On
higher than man. No guns were planted o.
the embankmenls, and an unusual quiet pre-
vailed. But a comparatively few men were i
Lawrence. The Committee of Safety havin
decided that no resistance should be made if a
attack was commenced many had left the spc
where they would be exposed to danger withou
any chance to retaliate upon their foes. A
the first rays of the sun began to iumine tn
town, the inhabitants aroused themselves fror
their slumbers, and looking upon hill shol
distance off, they beheld drawn up upon il
summit body of Two hundred horsemen lool
Ing down upon them-wilh what intent the
knew not further than the fearful forcboding
of their hearts told them
There were anxious hearts in Lawrence thu
morning, and men looked upon their home
not wondering if it might be the last time the
would greet their vision They remembers
but too well the threats of Sheriff Jones, an
from him and the minions Of despotism ovt
which he held sway, they had nothing to expe,
in the future save what they had seen and fe
in the past. Some, with hearts burning wit
indignation at the idea of tamely submitting
the burning and destruction of the town, will
out an attempt to save it, bitterly anathem
tzed those men who were appointed as Con
mittec in whom the safety Of the town was il
vested.
GA dauntless spirit sat upon their brow,
That would not yield, and could not bow.''
Seven o'clock came to the anxious lockers
in Lawrence, and when they saw the viii
fag--embem of peace and safety-eivo way
tho red, upon which was inscribed, . Southe
Rights" they were as conscious as if their e
emes had told them what the fate of the TOW
would be " Southern Rights the free
censc to break the laws of God and man, Il
principle in certain systems of government III
Might makes Right