The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-01-03
Letter from n6innezota.

him in his views, but, nevertheless
are disposed to give him fair hear
ing. He is one of the faithful ole
line Democrats, who thinks squattel
sovereignty the perfection of republi.
can ge4srpment. We are much
Obliged for the good viii manifested
although we can't follow his ad.
vice -
ST. PAUL, MT, DEG. II. 1856.
G. w. BRowN, Eso.LDEAR SIR:-
Permit one of the first subscribers to
your valuable and reliable paper, and
a friend to the cause you have so ably
and fearlessly advocated, to congrat-
ulste you on the enjoyment, once more,
of your personal liberty, and of the
revival of the Herald Of Freedom.
Judging of the past, have no fears
but that you will be found, in the fu-
ture, the same unfinehing but trium-
phant champion of the good cause in
which you are embarked and ]
strongly hope and trust that, finally,
and at no distant day, successful
issue awaits you.
For the attainment of this momen-
tous object. on reviewing the past, ]
apprehend very many of its friends
can now see that things have been
said and done unwisely,-imprudent-
ly-perhaps rashly; and it is the part
of wisdom, as well as magnanimity,
frankly to make this admission, and
in the future to ascertain and apply
the correction.
need not trouble you, sir, with
even glance at the past. You cer-
tainly must have a painful and vivid
recollection of its scenes. It's history
is known to the country and the world.
There is, however, a single feature
in the case, having reference to the fu-
ture, to which beg leave to call your
attention.
The Missouri Compromise line, in
my judgment, would never have been
obliterated, had it not been for the
doctrine of popular sovereignty, en-
braeed in the sas-Nebraska bill.
That doctrine, / think we must all ad-
NIT, is the true democratic doctrine. II
commended itself to the common
sense of the country, and relying on
the assurance that, in perfect good
faith, it was practically to be upheld
and enforced, the North gave up the
contest, and the bill became a law
That assurance has been shamefully
and ruthlessly violated. Desperate
men, notoriously nonresident, en-
tered the Territory, armed to the teeth,
and drove from the polls the occupants
from the soil,-seized upon the gov
eminent, and proceeded to enact laws
of the most daring atrocity, ,manifestly
with the design either to drive the
friends of freedom from the Territory,
or effeetually disfranchise those who
might remain.
In view of this outrage upon your
rights. you naturally enquired what
line of conduct you should adopt
And in regard to the late election of
delegate, you came to the conclusion,
that, rather than recognize the legal
ity of the so-called Legislature and its
enactments, you would not appear
at the polls-and thus, in disgust left
your enemies in undisputed possession
of the field.
Assuming, as I do, that majority
of the legal voters in the Territory were
in favor of freedom; and assuming,
moreover, that Gov. Geary had the
power, and, what is quite as important,
tie aOVl amply to protect you against
the onslaught of border marauders, ]
think, in the conclusion to which you
came, you. erred. Had you, on the
contrary. gone TO the ballot box with
your entire strength, under the protee-
tion of your Executive, you must have
routed your enemies, and obtained a
complete and bloodless victory. Even
posO, it is not teo late to correct the
error. Let the course above suggested
be steadily pursued. and all viii be
we'll. And it appears to me quite
clear, that this is the only course which
can be pronounced safe, practicable,
and efficient.
Do You ask how any honest, con-
scientious man can take the oath pre-
scribed as an indispensable qualifca-
ton of the voter? ] answer not for
others. For myself. were I one of
you, I would not hesitate moment
to take it, when rendered to me-and
for this simple reason: the govern
nent under which you are living is
most certainly such, de facto. O5eds
nee or revolution, is therefore the
only alternative. Are the good peo-
pie of Kansas prepared to adopt the
after?
Yes, sir.sdopt the course suggested,
snd you at once disarm your foes.
By it you secure peace; Gov. Geary
becomes your fast friend and protec-
or; immigrants by thousands, Of the
light men, viii flock in and set down
With you; the next Legislature win
De composed of men of your own Sc
ection; in glorious exultation the
,bnoxious laws viii be repealed, and
he great question, for the accomplish
nent of which yon labor, viii be set
.led-forever settled. Think of this.
Very respectfully, yours.
JAS. TAYLOR.
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