Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-06-12


Der of her citizens even the farms of
the two States are cut by the line Of State
boundary, part in Kansas and part in
Missouri; her citizens meet us in daily
intercourse and that Kansas should be-
come hostile to Missouri, an asylum for
her fugitive slaves, or a propaganda Of
abolition treason, would be alike inexpe-
dent and unjust, and fatal to the contin-
uance of the American Union. In any
event, then, trust that the constitution
of Kansas will contain such clauses as
will forever secure to the State Of Mis-
souri, the faithful performance of all con-
stitutional guarantees, not only by federal
but by State authority, and the supreme
cy within our limits, of the authority of
the Supreme Court of the United States
on all constitutional questions be firmly
established.
Upon the South Kansas is bounded by
the great Southwestern Indian Territory.
This is one of the most salubrious and
fertile portions CT this continent. 1t is a
great cottoD~growing region, admirably
adapted by soil and climate for the pro-
ducts of the South, embracing the val
leys of the Arkansas and Red rivers,
adjoining Texas on the south and west,
and Arkansas on the east, and il ought
speedily to become State of the Amer
lean Union. The Indian treaties will
constitute no obstacles any more than
precisely similar treaties did in Kansas,
for their lands, valueless to them, now for
sale, but which, sold with their consent
and for their benefit, like the Indian lands
of Kansas, would make them a most
wealthy and prosperous people, and their
consent on these terms would be most
cheerfully given. This territory con-
tains double the area of the State Of In
diana, and, if necessary, an adequate por-
ton of the western and more elevated
part could be set apart exclusively for
these tribes, and the eastern and larger
portion be formed into a State, and its
lands sold for the benefit of these tribes,
(like the Indian lands of Kansas,) thus
greatly promoting all their interests
To the eastern boundary, of this region
on the State of Arkansas, run the rail-
roads of that State; to her southern linn
its come the great railroads from Louisi-
ana and Texas, from New Orleans and
Galveston, which will ultimately be join
ed by railroads from Kansas, leading
through this Indian territory, connecting
Kansas with New Orleans, the Gulf of
Mexico, and with the Southern Pacific
Railroad, leading through Texas to San
Francisco.
1t is essential to the true interests, not
only of Kansas, but of Louisiana, Texas
and Arkansas, Iowa and Missouri, and
the whole region west of the Mississippi,
that this co-terminous southwestern In
dian Territory should speedily become a
State, not only to supply US with cotton,
and receive our products in return, but
as occupying the area over which that
portion of our railroads should run which
connects US with New Orleans and Gal
weston, and by the southern route, with
the Pacific. From her central position.
through or connected with Kansas, must
run the central, northern and southern
routes to the Pacific, and with the latter.
as well as with the Gulf, the connection
can only be secured by this southwestern
territory becoming State, and to this
Kansas should direct her earnest atten-
ton, as essential to her prosperity.
Our country and the world are regard
ing with profound interest the struggle
now impending in Kansas. Whether
we are competent to self-government,
whether we can decide this controversy
peacefully for ourselves by our own
votes, without fraud or violence, whether
the great principles of self-government
and State sovereignty can be carried into
successful operation, are the questions
now to be determined, and upon the
plains of Kansas may now be fought the
last and great decisive battle, involving
the fate of the Union, of State sove-
reignty, of self-goyernment, and the lib
critics of the world. If, my fellow-citi-
zens, you could even for brief period.
soften or extinguish sectional passions or
prejudice, and lift yourselves to the full
realization of the momentous issues en-
trusted to your decision, you would feel
that no greater responsibility was ever
devolved on any people. II is not mere
ly, shall slavery exist in or disappear
from Kansas, but shall the great princi-