True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-01-07

outside, OF the slave states, can have no
valid legal sanctionf seem to me Ihcontro-
vertible propositions. ia
The original policy of hssoanry was in HARMONY with
these ideas. II eontempgted this exclusion Of slavery
from National Territories: the ron Of the
influence Of the General Government on the sde Of
Freedom and the amelicrstion aud final eradication Of
III crest evil BY the action Of the State Governments
without Intervention Or interference by National Ltsa
tion. aHa sfIia't ,alsaa y Sf3
"The abolition Of slavery"-said Mr. Jefferson at the
eonmencement of the Revolutionary struggle-"s the
greatest Object of desire III these cvonies ait Is tho
pride and boast Of AmereS, said Mr.. Madison speak
ing at the close Of the war In behalf Of the American
Congress that the rights for which she contended were
the tights Of human nature" ''Therrs but one proper
way,ntaid George Washington, speaking at sti later
period Of the abolition Of Saveryby which It can be
accomplished, and thatsby legislative authority and
this SO far as my suffrage cago shall not be- wsning.
We need not hesitate TO walk in the paths marked by
the footsteps Of the Fathers 4'''
p Within the last two months / have
received seyeralcommunications from
emigratts to Kansas from Ohio, ear
nestly appealing for protection and
aid.J OF these appeals one was in
the form Of an affidavit from eleven
citizens imprisoned under various
charges at Lecompton. Ten of these
prisoners though formerly citizens of
Ohio, are now residents Of Kansas.
The eleventh, an old man of seventy
years a soldier near half a century
ago under Jackson, was still a citizen
of Ohio, ON a visit to some friends
in the Territory. The real offence Of
all was the defence Of Free State
homes against Slave State invasion.
Their seizure, their imprisonment,
their indictments, and their cruel
treatment. constitute'a dark chapter
i'll the dark history of wrong and
outrage in Kansas. esv lsa''a>
On receiving this, appeal thought
it right TO address an earnest letter to
Gov. Geary in behalf of the priso-
ners. i also sent for their immediate
relief a sum Of money contributed by
private, beniicence, which however,
failed to reach its destination in con
sequence Of the necessary return Of
the gentleman to whom it was EN-.
trusted without having entered tile
Territory. 1t gives me pleasure to
inform you that most Of these priso-
ners have since escaped Or have been
acquitted. | am not aware that any
OF them yet remain in confinement.
Another of these communications
comes from a committee of Ohio SET
tiers in Kansas representing that
the emegrants from Ohio number
several hundred, that they elnigratcd
to Kansas in the full faith of peace
and protection; that they held nodoc-
trines other than such as arc common
in Ohio; that, coming from a free
State and holding such sentiments,
they are practically disfraachised by
odious test oaths, that many Of their
number have been killed, many rob,
bed, and all subjected to greyious in
dignities aud injuries, that they have
appealed in vain to the federal Gov
ernment for protection; and that the
strife, which has at present ceased,
may recommence at any moment.
when o new attempt shall be made to
enforce the spurious code of an alien
legislature. In the event of a new
outbreak, these settlers ask the pro
lection of Ohio, .% lss
The other communications detail
the circumstances Of particular ont
RACES. -i
These representations cannot be
properly disregarded. AS an equal
member Of the confederacy, Ohio is
entiteled to demand for her citizens
emigrating to the Territories, free in.
gress and egress by the ordinary
routes and complete protection
from invasion, from usurpation and
from lawless violence. Ii the Gen
eral Government refuse this protec
tion, cannot doubt the right Or the
duty of the State to intervene.
There are good grounds, however
for the hope that the worst is over in
Kansas. From the Free State Press
of the Territory and from other reli-
able sources, assurances are received
that peace, order and security are re-
established, for the present at least,
within its limits. Many of the most
dangerous of the marauders have left
the Territory, and a disposition is
manifested by the present Territorial
Governor to respect and protect the
rights Of Free State settlers. There
is reason to expect that the most OBJ
noxious acts of the Pseudo. Legisla-
ture will be abrogatcd, and that the
bad design of the repeal of the Mis-
souri, Prohibition will be defeated by
the virtue and intelligence of the peo-
pie 7a .l.s
Meanwhile there is much distress
occasioned by the civil disturbances
whichrequires relief. tits gratifying
to observe that. the propriety and du
ty of afiording this reliefis recognized
by the humane and liberal Of all par
ties. The people of Ohio will, ]
doubt not, approve whatever you may
find it expedient and necessary to do
in order to protect the emigrannts
from the suffering, dcsease and death
to which they are exposed.
Such, gentlemen, are the views
which | have thought it my duty to
submit to you. Ishall rejoice if they
meet your approval and the approval