The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-09-12

seiVes,or the scrip which they issued, they
organized the entire Territory into cleo
ton districts, and held the election of
October 9Th, 1856. for Delegates to the
Constitutional Convention. The expenses
of that Convention were betrayed in scrir,
as were all the incidental expenses in
sending agents through theTenitory with
election documents, holding elections and
making returns at the adoption of the
Constitution on the 18th of November,
as well as the election of officers under
it On the 18th of January following.
1t is difficult to convey to the reader
an idea of the vast amount of unrequited
labor which was performed on that occa-
sion, and by that Committee. Judge
SCHUYLER was commissioned, in Decem-
Der of 1856, to visit the East, and solicit
funds for the Committee; but, instead of
appropriating the funds raised by him to
enable the Committee to 60 on with their
onerous duties, they were employed to
+ pay the expenses of defending Lawrence
against the invasion from Missouri, in
dorsed by Gov. Shannon.
Mr.. PARROT also visited the East, his
object being more specifically to make the
acquaintance of members of Congress,
and interest them in the affairs of Kan
sas, and in favor of the new Constitution.
1t so happened that Mr.. Holiday was
compelled to be absent most of the time
from the Executive sessions; hence, on
the four remaining members of the Com
mittee devolved the principal burden
Col. Lane and Judge Smith were actively
employed continually, while Mr.. Goodin,
as secretary, found hardly time for re-
pose. Their Office was shifted from place
to place, to accommodate the necessities
of the occasion, and during the winter it
was with the greatest difficulty, at times,
they could get up sufficient warmth to
keep their hands in condition for writ
| ing.
The Committee, through their chair
man, after having organized the State
Legislature, submitted to that body full
report of their action, from which it ap-
pears that the whole cost of organizing
and perfecting the State government to
! that date, was but trifie over eleven
thousand dollars. They rendered to that
body their books and papers, and thus
completed their labors. Whether benefi-
cial or otherwise, they accomplished with
fidelity the duties they were commission
ed to perform; and completed in the briei
period of less than six months all the ne.
cessary work of projecting and setting il
motion State Government; and that in
the face of difficulties which ordinary
men, under like circumstances, woult
have abandoned as impracticable.
Complaints were made at the time be-
cause the Constitution was not earlier
submitted to Congress after its adoption
by the people. The Committee vindi
Gated themselves against this charge, an(
amply sustained their position before thu
country for the delay. They claimed
that it was inexpedient to submit it t.
Congress until that body was fully or
ganized, which was prevented by divi
sions there until near the close of Janu
ary. Then the difficulties at Easton fol
lowed, which delayed action until abou
the time the State Legislature were t
convene, when it was thought best to &C
company it with memorial from tn
State Legislature.
The independent bearing of the set
tiers of Kansas, and their determination
not to submit to the pro-slavery usurper
of Missouri, caused threats of yengeanc
loud and deep. They had misjudge'
/. Free State men. The leaders had seel
feeble specimens of them in Congress, ,wh
: could easily be brow-beaten and whipper
into the traces, or bribed into silence b,
place; and from these they Judged tn
whole. They taught that one Missouria
could drive FIVE "abolitionists, "as all Ere
State men were called. And to secur
f the country to slavery it was only neces
!. sary to show themselves we'll armed wit
, bowie knives and 'reyolvers-to swes
terribly, and the "d-d Yankees"-or q
they were indiseriminately called, I'd
bolitionists"-would iun. These eS
pressions were as common in wester
4 Missouri as any other, in common COZ
versation. And the success of all the
, forays into Kansas was predicated :
much on the cowardice of the Free Stat
men, as on their own bravery.
6 On the other hand, the Free State me
II were well aware of the existence of Il
4 Blue Lodges. and the resolutions of Il
A pro-slavery party to drive them out oftt
> Territory and to take possession of
h themselves. But they laughed at Il
r. thre ltening, calling it Southern bluste
despising it and the men who made it.
il Stung into madness. by the indepens
,f ence of the settlers and the conteml
/. shown for the laws, and feeling the
7. power forever departed unless they coul
d enforce them, the border papers we
le clamorous that something should be dol
Is Ian example must be made. Office
4 had been appointed in every county al
y district in the Territory; yet they had /
or employment They were mostly res
D. dents in Missouri when appointed, al
had received their reward for servic
v done during former invasions. by the
= -Iof6ces. OF course. great things were e,