The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-08-08
n. E..,.rp Pre-. On K.nza. sa.uer..

/
when everything was going on so SWIM
ningly we did great wrong in introdu-
ing new element of discord among us,
ust on the eve of our final triumph.
The n. 7. Courier and Enquirer, than
which there is not more reliable paper
;or freedom on our exchange list, while it
,egrets the movement of Gov. WALKER,
md pronounces it ''injudicious and un-
necessary" and thinks that Congress
aught to have admitted us as State un-
der cur State Constitution, and prevented
the renewal of strife; yet, as it has not
done so, concludes that there is no other
way than to remain quiet, ignore the To-
peka Constitution, and quietly submit to
the powers that be until our deliverenee
comes.
The Quincy Repvdliean, a leading paper
in Illinois, while it approves of the past
action of our people in opposing the bogus
laws, advises us to submit to the pay
ment of taxes only when ''fully and COM
pletely decided to be legal by the supreme
power of the land" remarks
"Some of our Free State friends there,
have recently assumed position that we
cannot as fully and entirely endorse. And
we think that, on due consideration, they
viii retreat back to the impregnable
grounds which they have heretofore MAIN
tanned to the admiration of the friends of
freedom everywhere. A number of citi-
zens of Lawrence have recently proceeded
to establish government for the city of
Lawrence in defiance of the Territorial
1t has been done also in def
ance of the Topeka Legislature. With
out entering into an elaborate discussion
of this matter at the present time, we
think it an unfortunate move. 1t is pla-
cling the people in open hostility to the
government of the United States. Un-
d IT the circumstances, the citizens OF
Lawrence should have remained passive,
or simply on the defensive"
The Republican, while it admits that
we are carrying out Douglas doctrine OF
"squattcr sovereignty" concludes. eve
must admit that the charter movement is
wrong and revolutionary
In another article the Republican speaks
at length, from which We copy as fol-
lowS:-
at is our purpose, in all instances, to
state fairly and candidly, and so there
can be no misapprehension, that which
we believe to be the true position and the
only safe course to be pursued by the
Free State men of Kansas in their lauda-
bic efforts to secure that territory to free
dom and free labor. We know that, re-
moved thus far from the scene of action,
we cannot always judge fairly of what
ought and ought not to be done; but, from
this stand point, and judging from the
facts which reach us of the movements of
parties in that Territory, we may arrive at
some fair conclusion of what is required
in the present emergency. So anxious
are we that the Free State men shall tri-
umph in Kansas, after such extraordinary
efforts have been made to defeat and sub
iugate them, that we are jealous of any
movement on their part that will give to
their enemies PreteRSe, or the shadow of
a pretext, to re-commit those outrages and
frauds which have heretofore disgraced
them and that Territory.
perhaps we have paid more than usual
attention to the proceedings in Kansas;
earnestly sympathising with the firm and
manly stand taken by our Free State
friends there. flour readers will remem-
Der, the Topeka Gree State) Legislature
met, as they had a right to do, few
months ago. They showed, in our esti-
nation, most praiseworthy discretion in
their whole proceedings. While express
ing their unalterable determination to use
all lawful means to secure the freedom of
Kansas, and the recognition of their rights,
they declined to do anything that sOonl9 bring
them a., conflict aoith the authorities support
ed and recognized by the Federal Gov
ernment.
"They determined that they, at least,
would give no reason for re-enactment
of those scenes of violence and bloodshed
which had already distracted the country.
In this they chose wisely and well. That
Legislature did nothing more important,
in a legislative capacity, than to appoint
individuals to take the census-to which
no objection could be made. Applications
were, however, made for charters for cities,
towns, &C., &C.; but the Topeka Legisla-
ture, seeing that the granting of them
would inevitably, and of necessity, bring
the two powers claiming authority in the
Territory into collision, declined to do So
But Notwithstanding this decision of the
Free State Legislature, the citizens of
Lawrence, it seems, have determined to
frame and adopt charter of their own, in
defiance of oil Legislatures.
"What is the inevitable consequence of
such determination? We zee it in the
proclamation Of Gov. Walker, which we
published yesterday. 1t gives him pre-
tert, and very plausible one, too-not
only to call in requisition the military to
prevent this infraction of law which is
recognized by the General Government,
but to enforce those Others of which the
people of Kansas have such just right to
complain. The act itself draws them from
that impregnable position which they have
heretofore so ably hcld-and once again
invites an exercise of authority that is
hound to prove unfortunate to them. 1t
has all along been the earnest hope of the
Black Democracy that the Free State men
of Kansas would be ultimately driven, by
some means or other into conflict with the
Federal authority; and it has been the
equally anxious wish of the freemen of
the country, that their friends in that Ter
ritory would steer clear of all such con-
sequences.
"The citizens of Lawrence seem to
think and act differently. They propose
to setEp a government of their own--in
true 'squatter sovereign style. Hence
comes the proclamation Of Gov. Walker,
informing them that such a movement is
not only in opposition to the government
of which he is the executive; but also in
opposition to the Topeka Legislature
whose authority they recognize. He tells
them that he has called out the military
to assist him in preventing the consum-
nation of their schemes. And the last