The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1857-07-04
IA "a. People Approve Il,

comes up at this time, when such Yigor-
Gus efforts are being made to keep alive
and put in force the Topeka government.
Those who are the most strongly in favor
of this movement, assume that they are
acting the win of the majority of the peo-
pie Of the Territory. 1t need not be as
serted that this a mere assumption. If it
is as they claim, where are the facts which
prove its truth? A governments that does
not represent the majority, should have no
authority. There are few Of those who
cling to the State Government, who will
deny this proposition. It will be admit
ted that the only cause that produced OPP
position to the Territorial authority. and
made it contemplate in the eyes of all
honest citizens, was that the voice of the
people was not an element in its consti-
tuition. Missouri sent in her hordes of
ruffians, who by fraud and violence pre-
vented any proper expression from the
people, and thereby usurped the power
which rightfully belonged to them to
grant. Now it makes but little difference
in what manner the people are disfran-
chised. The principle ofself-government,
the very fundamental axiom of our Con-
stitution, is as much violated by minor
ity within the Territory taking upon
themselvesthe responsibilities ofgoverning
the whole people, without just authority,
as though that government was usurped
BY minority foreign to the soil.
The Topeka Government obviously
represents only that number of people who
were here at the time the election took
place. There has been no opportunity for
the people who have arrived in the Ter
ritory since that period, to make known
their sentiments. When the proper time
comes, the ground upon which its assump-
ton of authority is based, will be seen.
1t will be found that the great mass of
the people who have come into this coun-
try since the conclusion of the difficulties,
are earnest, reliable and determined in
their sentiments of freedom. They have
no personal malice or resentment to graft
fly, and only oppose the pro-slayery party
upon the ground of principle.
That, while the Free State people in
this Territory have from the beginning
had their sympathy, and in many cases
material aid from them, they have re-
garded the conflict as one of principle
purely, an inevitable antagonism between
the elements of civilization and semi bar
barism, a contest for supremacy between
the principles of individual and national
| freedom, and the policy of the slavery
propaganda, and not contest for the dirty
spoils of office-a strife for mere political
poverty which to elevate to high posi-
tons any particular individuals.
Such sentiments will express them
selves, not in any blind adherence to the
Topeka, or any other government, because
such an organization exists, but will sus-
tain that policy which promises peace to
the country, and speedy and certain set
Element of the distracting questions which
are yet unhappily pending in the Terri
tory.
Is it wise for the Topeka party to ig-
more this sentiment which prevails among
those who have not the honor of being
among the martyrs to the cause of free
dom here at an earlier stage of the con-
fict.
They can never expect people who are
accustomed to reason, to fall in and sup
port the policy, without the way by
which existing troubles may be finally set
tied, is pointed out. BY adhering to this
policy, which as yet has proven to be the
only correct one, upon revolutionary prin-
ciples, and not for the present exigencies,
they necessarily drive from the party, men
who agree upon the objects to be gained,
and who cannot see any reason to justify
resort to rev6lution-who agree upon
the main question at issue, but for the best
of reasons take exceptions to the means
proposed for its final solution.
1t is charged upon Gov. Walker that he
is doing his utmost to divide and distract
the Free State party. There is little doubt
that such consummation is devoutly
wished by the Governor and all Others
who prefer the establishment of slavery
in the Territory to free institutions, OF
who are anxious to maintain for the DEM
ocratic party an ascendancy here. The
Governor may be obnoxious to this
charge, but it will be seen, with ordiHary
strength of perception, that he is not doing
the work so effectually, or certainly, as
these men who are interested in, and are
giving their adherence to, the Topeka
Government, and who exact fealty to it
as test of faith in the Free State party.
In the absence of any explanation OF
the line of policy to be pursued by this
embodiment of pure Free State principles,
there is this alternative left US: We can
not believe that it is their prime purpose
to effect settlement of the present diff
iculties, without any unnecessary de-
lay; if this was so, would not the man.
ner by which this important matter is to
be settled be developed?
In the absence of this, we say that we
are driven to the inference that this or
ganization is kept up for mere party pur-
poses. and that the grand object of their
former conflict is to be sacrificed upon the
dirty altar of political ambition.
Among the people, this will not answer.