Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-03-24
THE RICHMOND ENQUIRER.
-. >-o~o~~-oNo~o---c.-S
Nv RITCHIE. & DUNNAYANT.
TUESDAY, moRNING, MARCH "a, 1887.
KANSAS.


The name Of this Territory has become as inti'
mately associated in the American mind, with trrbn
ence lawessness assassnations and strife. as is thai
OF bonsparte with war; Greeley With "iree niggers'
or India with wild animals OF more ferocious but le's
repulsive proclivities.
For soma time past K,nass has been the battle
ground OF practical host,iea between the advocates
and opponents Of the rights Of the South. Its soce
ty has been in an uninterrupted fever and teTmeh'
from the first effort at opposition to the introdac'''h
OF slave property until now and still there seems 10
be no abatement of the evils The assauit upon
Sheriff Jones, and the discussion Of the question o
his life or desth, have hardly been forgotten ID 'ne
fHrore OF other exciting incidents and events 30 con
stantly and CONSIDERABLY trarspring to srathy 'ne
cmnivorous appetite of the sgei the exploits ana
prousss of tho vasus illus -s'oraPf tho ens0'a OF
Shapes iiaes, have barely ceased exotic the con-
temptuous eommisserstion Of the country Tor tne
cowardico snd treachery of some OF her anil
slavery sous, when Shsrrard is shot down.
and Geary resigns, when Virginia takes oack
into her bosom all that Is mortal OF gai
liant defender Of her honor and advocate OF her
rights and the new administration 10 caiieo
upon to appoint another Governor n the "d''
putei Territory" Whether Kansas is to be admit
tod into the Union with slavery or without it, i- a
matter yet to be determined. But that It has been,
and is STILL source OF apparently iuexhaus'ioie sup
plies to the newsnongers and caterers Tor the !tPssls
Of such intellectual cenuibs!s "a r1urHte on raj!
road accidents, frishtfu oonasgrstions bloody rem
counters, civil oommo,ions famine, pestilence and
plague; and that it ha. furnished fruitful tteule Of
desecratnR defamation and impous prayer to shat
minlster-resident, representative Of his maJssty'
the Devil-Hsnry Ward Bsecter, are facts in its his
tory which no subsequent legislation can obllterae.
That there have been excesses on either side, on
the part of the proslavery setlers as we'll as those
Who would refuse them their rights ii 10 but natural
and reasonable to suppose But that the onus OF the
trouble. and tragedies that have already been enact
ed and Of the existing state Of society In hansss,
rests upon the heads aud hearts OF the emlssaries
Of anti slavery agitaturs, there can be but haie
doubt. From frat to iss the principal aim and
object of emigration to Kansas from the free
States has been and will be, for party purposesto
crush out the germ of slavery transplaned by South
srpsettlers before takes root aud thus to emolazon
another sinister star upon our national banner. We
hazard the assertion that Of the free soers in Kansas
eight of every ten have left their homes with the
paramount idea of circumventug slavery, as
the must immediate means of making noney. Not
,hs: they inhamed with the enthusiasm Of crusa
ders against the institution morally politically but
they have been taught to believe that this laud Of
promise needs only to be protected from the contam
Mating touch of "human chattels to be made to
abound with beautics and blessings. They are the
contemplate puppets Of men who have hearts black,
but not bold enough to undertake the task for them
s,lves-the miserable mnons Of pulpit players, and
hireng feuds;ories Of political mpuusebsnks Sane
tuaries Of God in ths North resound on Sabbath
morning, noon, and night, with eloquent dsqnsi-
tons on the cause of freedom in Kansas, and with
q minated nvocatons Of divine vengeance upon the
leads OF Southern settlers. Free coil candidates
for Congress descant with warmth upon the
outrages Of the "bordsr rusns," and in fact every
abolition asprsn for popularity and place within the
last three years has made haste 70 bestride beedng
KANSAS" and endeavor to ride into Office at John
Gilpu pace. The affairs of that territory, since il
rst began TO attrac: the public eye, compressed into
an parte epitome of its most exaggerated scenes
aud narrowed up with all the horrors Of naginaons
morbid from sympathy with corrupted hearts, hav.
afforded supe.abundant banquet for the saurnaa OF
the fanatics and fools Of the North. The dear people,
have been toasted upon the dainty dishes, and the
politicisns have been batteuing upon the garbage
Aud it will coutinae to be- until the strong arm OF
he law is enabled TO control the rebeIious spirits who
are constantly disturbing the repose of the people
aud initiating against the good order OF society-
The territory Of ksusaS belongs alike to the
nan of Massachusetts and to the citizen of Lpuisi
ma or Virginia. II is the common domain Of all the
United States, and, as SUCH the people of each and
every State have an irrefutable right to transfer
themselves and their property into it.
This principle is not only In accordance with the
genius and construction Of our government but it i.
self evident in the Constitution. And the late
leoision Of the Supreme Court places it beyond the
pale Of dsputaton, except on the part Of those who
acknowledge no other rights than those which are
recognised by a higher law than the Constitution
Of tho United States and the Holy Bible. Moral
suason totally inadequate for the present condition
of Kansas. The law must be administered with iron
rgor, in order to bring the traitors and usurpers to
bay. Whether Governor Geary is justly amenable
10 the charge Of derelictioa of duty, betrayal Of
trust or ireachery to the South, we leave for fur.
.her developments to determine. But that be has
not quieted the commoton In Kansas, or instituted
law and order in place Of rebellion and riot We need
no sequel to show. We have no doubt that the ad.
ministraton will adopt such means, and as sccn a,
practicable, will protect lbe makers snd punish
the breakers of the law so hraly and efectually
to nsure to the citizens Of every State their rights
and privileges, and introduce Kansas into the Union
With constitution t.ivly and fesrles.ly framed.
THE WINCHESTER vIRGINIAN.