White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1857-10-01
THE CONSTITUTION AND THE. UNION


We desire il to be understood that the people
of Kansas do not charge the outrage to which
they have been subjected upon the people of
Missouri as body. On the contrary, they know
that the masss of that people have not joined
in these outrages, but have remained at home,
and denounced the invaders. Toward them we
entertain no other feelings than those of respect
and kindness. This has been abundantly made
manifest by our action. Many town. is now
standing and thriving in Missouri, monuments Of
orr consideration for them, and esteem for their
conduct, ~ 81
Respect for this class Of the people Of Nilsson
ri has induced US seduIously to refrain from re-
taliatory measures. Those who have Joined in
the forays against US, under the sincere impress
sion that Massachusetts, and other Free States
were importing voters into Kansas, have been
grossly deceived. That we are friendly toward
the people of Massachusetts, and other Free
States, is not surprising. BY their munifcence
we were furnished the means to defend our homes
from plumber and dissertation. When the Mis-
souri, river and markets upon our border, were
closed against US, the poor of Kansas were cloth
ed and fed by their liberality. Notwithstanding
this, however, We would resist them in any at
tempt to despoil US Of our franchise, as we would
resist the people Of Missouri. But we deny that
the people Of Massachusetts, or any other Free
State, ever attempted any such thing. 1t is
doubtless true. that Immediately after the cleo
ton of March, 1855, some of the peacefully dis
posed citizens of Kansas left the Territory, and
good reasons had they for so doing. Kansas was
invaded by hostile forces, organized for war, and
her people ruthlessly trampled into the dust
Was not this sufficient reason7 ta iiri
To that portion of the people of Missouri,
whose aims are foreshadowed in the letters of
Atchison to South Carolina, in which be avows
his intention to again invade Kansas, we have
these things to say, The interests of Kansas
and Missouri are identical. A farm cannot be
improved in Kansas, or town built up, without
its benehtting Missouri. railroad cannot be
extended into Kansas from the States without
its trayersing the entire length of Missouri. For
many years. Missouri must be the market for
Kansas. The people of Kansas are entitled to
protection by the Constitution and Flag that pro-
tects the people of Missouri. Should the peo-
pie of Kan as invade your homes, to Wrest your
ballot-boxes from you by force, what would be
your feelings and action7 Would not all resent
full and Indignant impulsesof your natures be
stirred upl Would you not meet us on yourbor-
der, and with baycnets in our hearts, thrust us
back An authority to which We all defer, has
said, Do unto others as YOU would that others
should do unto you ...4 ~. phi, -i
We implore you not TO attempt to again vio-
late our rights; we are men as you are, and our
common manhood requires that we should resist
you if you do. We are organized for defence;
we have the pledge of Gov. Walker that he will
use the troops of the United States in our be-
half. If you persist against your best interests,
all considerations of patriotism, against all man
n and christian duty, in the mad course you have
narked out, war must ensue, protracted and
bloody. between Missouri and Kansas; it may be
extended all along the line tOthe Atlantic coast.
A dissolved Union and a broken Government
may be the result. For the highest welfare of
Kansas and Missouri, in the name of our com
mon country, and the living God, we appeal to
you to refrain: Remain at home; the Kansas
question will then be peacefully settled; the as-
itation of slavery will cease; and Kansas and
Missouri VIII 60 on prospecting and to prosper.
y Having thus discharged the duty assigned
them, the Committee would concludeby exhort
ing all the people Of Kansas to 60 to the polls
on the day of election, in pursuance of the ac-
ton ofthe Convention, and Opposite their ballots
fer the candidates Of their choice. You have
an overwhelming majority; with fair election,
success is certain, but whatever may be the re-
suit, we believe our cause viii be strengthened
by such course.