The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-11-07


Proclamation issued by Gov. Walker, pre-
vious to the election, rightfully construct
ing the laws prescribing the qualifications
of voter in Kansas, the people has Sc
cured to them the enjoyment Of the cleo
tive franchise, and peaceful solution of
much of the difficulty that threatened to
involve our country in general ruin.
Resolved, That we most heartily endorse
the rejection by Gov. Robert ]. Walker
and Secretary Stanton, of the fraudulent
and informal returns from johnson and
McGee counties, in this Territory, by which
means they have done their duty, in es-
tablishing the purity Of the balioi-box in
Kansas, and furnished to us unmistakabIe
evidence of the sincerity of their profess
sions and promises to defend the rights of
this Territory; and that we hereby pledge
ourselves, in solid column, to stand by
them in defence of the Peoples Rights.
Resolued, That We hereby acknowledge
our Indebtedness to James Buchanan,
President of the United States, for the Sc
lection of Governor and Secretary for
Kansas, who have the capacity to under
stand, and the high moral courage neees-
sary to defend the rights of its citizens.
Resoired, That we call on Congress at
the earliest possible moment to appoint
Committee of Investigation with power
to examine by whom and where the fctiz
tious and fraudulent returns that iAfsTted
to have come from precincts in johnson
and MCGEE counties were made, that Of
tenders may be brought to justice.
After the organization of the meeting
and the adoption of the resolutions, Mr.
Stanton was called on and made short
speech. He said in substance -
/ came here from the South with the
hope that Kansas would be slave State.
1t would be very agreeable to me to find
the pro-slavery party, if there be such a
party here, in the majority. But whether
| found it so or not, / determined to sus-
tain the majority. The troubles of Kan
sas were agitating the whole country and
the Governor determined to settle them
by fair election. l said if the thing
could be fairly done should rejoice, for
then our difficulties would be at an end.
But while we were determined that the
majority should rule, it became perplex-
ing question to decide which party had
that majority. Obstacles were thrown in
the way of fair vote; the tax qualifca-
ton was brought up and insisted on by
Judge Cato of the Supreme Court and by
Mr. Weer the Attorney General. We set
that tax and their opinions aside and they
can never be brought up again; the coun-
try has approved of our action; President,
Governors, judges, people, and all approve
it. The few, the faction, those who seek
to accomplish mischief, alone oppose US.
Those who expected to get Office by their
tricks condemn us; but they are misera-
bic minority, not one to twenty of the
whole people, and of course they cannot
rule.
The next thing that came up for our
decision was the election frauds of Oxford
and those from MCGEE county. We trav-
eled to Oxford that we might see with our
own eyes, and hear with our own ears;
| and, gentlemen, what did we find. For
miles in Johnson Co., we found no cabins
and when found they were not inhabited:
there are not as many inhabitants in the
whole county as there are names on that
one poll list. The inhabitants of Oxford
/ told us that there were not 200 persons in
! the town during the whole of the two
days Of the election. We rejected the
returns and the public have approved Of
our course; the objection made to it by
the mischiefmakers is simply technical
They say we have no right to 90 behind
the returns and decide whether they were
| fictitious or real. 1t is admitted that nc
such votes were given, but that we had
no right to ascertain the fact, nor act in re-
ference to it, il it were ascertained. Bp
we did go behind the records and act il
reference to the facts, and the people arr
here to-day to sustain us, and they have
sustained us all over the country.
When first came to Kansas [ declared
it my intention to secure fair vote, and
here to-day, l claim that I have fulfilled
my pledge; and I have fulfilled it ais
without violating the law. In fact j
would have been great misfortune had
not lone so. ] considered the law as vail
while large majority thought otherwise
I thought the people ought to pay take
but they would not. Though they ougt
, to submit to the laws of the Territori;
, Legislature, but they would not. An
r there was no way to settle this queStio
r but by fair and full vote of the peOpl
and that you have had; and as much as
regret that my party should be defeate'
yet, gentlemen, | must confess that yo
have the majority of at least twenty
{ one. Buff the opposition are not sati:
fed they have a remedy. Let them go
= Congress and have committee of inve:
tigation appointed. The next Congre'
l will be Democratic, the Speaker will
Q Democratic, and the committee will
Democratic. Democrats will do justice
their own party, and to that tribunal l al
peal.
The Secretary was cheered during Il
e speech and at the close three cheers We
: given for Secretary Stanton and three f
Gov. Walker The President Col. Moor
being then called for, arose and address,
1 the crowd for few moments, at the clio
of which the meeting adjourned sine d
: ELY MOORE, President.
q d. Z. MITCHELL,
WIN. STEVENS, c..,st,..;ss
F. T. BRUNER,
q JOHN SHANNON.
y The band struck up lively air and Il
g meeting separated with the best of fee
ing. This meeting was not called as
K Democratic meeting, the masses of Il
people not voting for the resolution cor
j. plimenting James Buchanan nor for al
/ of the officers excepting the Chairman.