Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1857-05-14
Written Expressly for the Green Mountain Freeman
w IA Il DO;
LIFE ON THE BORD Err.
AROMANCE OF THE STRUGGLE FOR
FREEDOM IN KANSAS.
s
BY THE AUTHOR OF MARION HERBERT OR THE SCOUT OF
THE LAKE,"
The Blue Lodge.

The Blue Lodge.
There existed in Missouri at this time, an Or
ganization known as ' The Blue Lodge" who's
proceedings were secret, and only known to
those who belonged to the Society. The Lodge
had for its real and avowed object, the adoption
of such measures as should compel the Free
State settlers in Kansas to abandon the Terrific
nv, and thus leave it an easy conquest to the
minions of the Slave Power.
The organization was not confined to Misou-
ri alone, but extented through several Southern
States. and whatever could be accomplished by
fraud and treachery towards securing Slavery
upon the sol OF Kansas was unscrupulousiy
done. Agents we're actively employed in the
Territory to ascertain the names OF such settlers
as come from the Free States, and these names
were in due time reported to The Lodge, which
decided what penalty should be inflicted upon
man whose feeling- and impulses were ever on
the side of down. trodden humanity. Such men
as refused to leave the Territory were uncerl-
mously lynched tarred and fealhered, Or some
other outrage committed upon his person IT
resistance was made, the only result was to find
grave upon the soil they had hoped to see un'
stained by the curse of human bondage,
It is IL lamentable fact in the history OF our
country that men who have sat in the halls OF
our national councils were members, and prime
movers in the despicable operations OF Ih'
Blue Lodge 1t is no wonder that every true
patriot-patriot not merely in name but II
words and deeds, which that appellation I'm
plies-should tremble when they see our conn
try approaching crisis like the one which a
the present time agitates the entire nation
With such leaders with such pilots at the helm
they might well fear for the safe guidance o
the Shin of State. around which the hopes OF
free people cluster, free from the ROCKS ah'
shoals of anarchy and rebellion.
The position of the Free State settlers in Kan
sas in this time was extremely precarious. Tb
Missourians, from their close contiguity to th
border had every advantage to pour in their ru
fanly hordes. 1t was the dawning OF neN
{" Chivalry," differing slightly from that {
Greece and Rome, or the Old Dominion in il
brighter days 1t was the Chivalry which toi
from woman that which is dearer than life
Chivalry upon whose escutcheon was inscribed
"Savery and Union if we can-Slavery an
Dsunion if we must
In large house in one of the border tow
Of Missouri, in u room whose gorgeous fnn
ture and arrangements bespoke the wealth
tbe,owper, were seated some dozen men. Itw
long past midnight, but still those men 81
there anon casting gances towards the lar
folding doors, which furnished ingress to tt
room, or slipping the wine from the glasses u
on the table around which they were seated :.
It was evident that they all belonged to t
wealthier class, for all were very richly dresse
There was one among them who sustaicd
leading part in the conversation, whenever a
topic was mentioned, who was totally unli
the rest He was past the prime of life, b
his locks had, as yet, been untouched by
frost of years He was tall, rather above
medium height, and his air and bearing v
digni6ed and majestic. A pair of intens
black eyes, and Roman nose and thin &C
pressed lips, together with bold, promin
forehead, told in plain language the charac
of the man-stcrn, cold, and unyieldlng l
purpose once determined upon warm and
pulslve in his attachments, implacable in
hatred. Such was Col. Montague. The
mainder of the group had nothing marked
their appearance to distinguish them from o.
nary men.
The folding doors swung back, and the II
of Maitland appeared in the entrance. Rem
ing his hat, he approached the table and hel
himself to generous glais of wine.
at seems to me, said Col Montague
was the first to speak, " that you are ra
tardy in keeping your appointment y
perhaps am; but when yo" learn
reasons, hardly think yon will blame MT
not appearing here sooner
Let us have them exclaimed several.
mo doubt some of you gentlemen saw
notice in the papers Of the Slave Auction
held at W"
"Yes.' replied middle aged man from
and of the table. :" And speaking OF
Auction reminds ME that | meant TO hay
tended il; but the ilct is | forgot ali abo
They say there was deviish nice piece OF
erty for sale in the shape Of Gertrude, a
girl. Cad they tell me she was near whit
not bit of niger blood about her.
have made pretty team, that's a TACT
who got her, Maitland
The son Of out worthy President Nontas
replied Maitland. biting his lips al the re
branee of his loss.
Perhaps he'd sell her? " asked the n
aged man. who was called Jones.
81 think not, for according to my ide
has bought her for the purpose OF givit
her Freedom"
He's either crazy, else he has got q
Of these d----d Abolition sentiments,
such thing"