The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-06-27

ganizc against an existing oppression. They
met as men who had felt the yoke of bond
age, but who could not submit to the cnslayc-
ment of body or soul. For peaceful dclibe-
ration they had convened, to consult the in
tcrests of their country, and to devote them
selves to the administration of justice. They
met in ODE elience to the will of the majority
of the residents of Kansas, and they were ell
trusted with the hopes and prayers of a suf-
ftring people. Then and there, in that sacred
place, and on that solemn dav, was an outrage
committed which must ever remain blot up
on the historic pagan outrage that man-
ties the check or every true American with
shame, and paints with vivid colors the de-
generacy and degradation of our federal gov
ernment; for when the Legislature was on the
point of coming to order. the CLEAN OF United
States arms and the entrance of federal troops
were seen, and an officer of our government
ordered the legislature to dispcrse lie spoke
not for himself, but for higher official
for him who occupied the most honorable po-
sition that this or any country knows. Crom-
we'll once dispersed refractory parliament,
and the great Napoleon an angry assembly; +;
but these usurpations of author were moth
ing in comparison to that executed BY Pierce
in ordering federal officer to disperse leg
islature convened in violation of no law OF
established principle, in a country protesting
to be a free Republic. 1t was one of the dark
est of the many dark deed, that distinguish
cd the last administration, and consigned it
to grave of everlasting infamy.
When the reports of what was transpirins
in kansas-of Shannon's treachery. the ruff
ans cruelty, and the administrations duplici-
tv, reached the Northern States, thcv were
scarcely credited. Persons could not believe
that the detailed cruclties had been Commit
ted, or that the government could lend its
sanction and endorsement to set of ruffian
invaders. Bnt as the reports were substan-
tiated and the frightful accounts of existing
affairs verified, the northern people awoke to
a realizing sense of their duty. and contribu-
ted men and means. as we'll as arms and pro-
visions. for their friends and relatives in the
far West. with an alacrity and libcrality that
did them honor.
KS Northern emigration on the Missouri
river was intcrdictc |. a new route was opened
through Iowa. and Lane took charge of a
large body of emiSrants. who reached Kansas
during the month of August. The supplies
; they brought. together with the evidence they
furnished to the free State men that their
struggles and privations were not unapprcci-
atcd. chccrcd and animated them with new
hope and fresh courage. \ short time pre-
vious to this Mr.. Gay. the only free State
federal officer in the Territory, was cruelty
murdered. Col. Sumner. who had exhibited
some humanity towards the free State men.
was superseded by Gen. Smith. of Louisiana.
who was expected to side entirely with the
Kansas invaders. On the 9TH of August an
other contest took place between the respect
i've parties. near Ossawattamic. and set of
Georgian maraudcrs were driven from their
post. At the same time. Mr. Hoyt, Of Law
renee. who had been sent. single and alone,
to demonstrate with prowling band of South
erner>. under Col. TrcadweII, was wavlaid anu
murdered.
Important events followed in rapid success
ION. and various warlikc encounters took
place between the free State and pro-slaverv
men, in which the latter were generally worst
ed. On the 18th of August "a treaty of peace
was concluded between the citizens of Law
renee and Governor Shannon. On the same
day two free State men were murdered and
TMPED near LcavenwOrth, while German,
who expressed his horror at the bloody work,
was shot dead in the streets.
The leading border rutfans Richardson,
:Atchison and ringftllow-laboring under
the hallucination that Lane was advancing in
to the Territory with an army as numerous
as that of Aerxcs. issued a proclamation to
the Missourians. which was promptly respond
cd to. and numerous crowds gathered 1T Wes-
ton. Mo-, chose .Atchison COMMANDMENTS
chief. and marched again towards Lawrence.
Shannon having been removed, Woodson as
sumed the rcins of government, and raised
another force in the West to act in sonccr,
with the army Of .Atchison, which STYLED itself
with sardonic irony. {" the army of law and
order in Kansas Territory" This peaceful
army cxemplitied their L" law and order pro-
pensltlcs BY falling upon Quaker mission
and treating the settlers with canibalistic fu-
~. Lawrence was again in danger, and was
only saved from destruction by the prompt
action OF Lane, who organized force of 3OU
free State men. and drove .Atchison across
the Missouri. where he dispersed hi, rrops,
engaging them to rally again on the 18th of
September. for "anothcr march on the ID
abolitioni.ts."
Although We have rccounted outraces at
which the heart sickens, and which must
shock the sense of every civilized commune
ty!, darker chapter yet remains unwritten.
In. Inc annual municipal election at Icavenworth
CITY took place September lst. That day
winch is known as bloody Monday, and the
eVeIis which transpircd upon it, in their re-
voting and distorted features more resemble,l
the reign of terror" when the streets of Par
IS ran blood, than an American city of the
nineteenth century. The Missourians, thirst
ing for revenge. and burning with hate and
frenzy, poured into the city, cried
"IIavoe.
And let slip the dogs of war"
Col: Emory led on the infuriated mob, wh
committed the most horrible acts of violence.
fMllps was shot down at his own threshold.
and bullets were fired into every part of the
house. The leading citizens were driven from
their homes and their wives and daughters
subjected to every species Of indignity. In
the agony of despair many appealed, as only
the suffering can appeal, to Gen. Smith, the
commanding officer at Fort Lcavenworth. for
q! detachment of troops to protect their famii.
lies and property. But that appeal, which
was enough to make "a marble statue veep." "
met no response from the icy-hearted com
mander Though he might have quelled the
assurances IN moment, no finger was lift
ed, and no orders issued, except to command
his sergeant to drive from the fort the afflict-
ed citizens who had there sought temnor,rv