The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-09-24

at Washington, and its party throughout the
country, to this course of the people of Kansas
has not in the slightest degree weakened their
confidence in it, or lessened their determine
ton to adhere to it to the end. They are sat
is6ed that it's propriety would never have been
called in question, as a matter of serious mo-
ment, had not the Federal Administration
sought, by so doing, to serve special purpose
in behalf of Slavery. So confident are our peo-
pie in the stand they have just taken, that they
would be perfectly willing to permit their State
Government to proceed TO the regular perform
ance of its functions, without any regard 70 the
Territorial Government, were it mo- for set
tied wish on their part to do nothing which
may subject them to the charge Of ultra views,
or desire to incur violence, even in the asser-
ton of their rights. They have preferred to
turn aside for the time being from their State
organization, and to make an effort to secur-.
through the Territorial b.Ilot-boxes, peaceful
possession of the Territorial Government; and.
to this end, they have determined to try their
chances in the October election.
THE NEW POLICY
We acknowledge that our chief incentive IN
the adoption of this measure was the urgent
appeal made in favor of it by many of those
who stood by US in the free States in all our
past struggles. But We frankly avow ourselves
not sanguine Of success. 1t is true that Mr..
Walker, our Federal Governor, has declared
that he will afford US, to the best of his ability,
full and fair election, before impartial Judges;
but, with our past experience, we find it difficult,
TO indulge in any hope of Justice from the
agents of the Federal Administration. By the
Law OF the election, all but those who have re-
sided SIX months or more in the Territory are
excluded from the polls. The system of dis
trlcting and apportionment for members of the
Legislature shows an unquestiOnable determi-
nation to introduce voters from abroad. Six
teen counties, strongly Free State, containing
nearly one half the entire population of the
Territory, are not allowed a single reprasanta
tive IN either branch. Of the thirteen members
OF the Council, all but three, and of the .hiriv-
nine members ofth House Of Representatives.
all but ten, are to be elected in districts border
ing on the Missouri line. Topeka is connected
WIN Fort Scott, and Lawrence is attached to
the Shawnee Mission, adjoining Westport. The
Lawrence district ia also made to embrace an
indefinite extent of country, having no geo
graphical connection with it, away off in the re-
glon of the Rocky Mountains, occupied cDlv
by sn Indian trading post here and there. AZ
winch fictitious precincts may be made. and
rom which fictitious returns may be sent in at
any time after the election, to overcome the Free
state vote. Besides these things, our enemies
have complete possession of ali the machinery
OF the election. Establishing the places for vo-
ting, appointing the judges, csnvassing the re-
turns, declaring the result of the election. and
all other matters of detail, are in the hands cf
the county commissioners, who were them
selves elected by fraud and violence from Mis-.
souri,. MIR. Able, partner of Stringfellow. saws
that Kansas must not be given up;" ard
General Atchison sounds the note of renewed
To
that, with one more effort, the work is done.
With the Administration sgsin.t us. with
onehalf the six-months voters virtually disfran
chised, with an election law framed expressly
to keep the new arrived emigrants from the
polls, with the hellish system OF districting and
apporhoning staring US in the face, with most
OF the officers of the election Border Ruffars
OF the deepest dye, with the slave party in Mis-
souri, boldly avowing through Gen. Atchison
their determination to invade US. with ONLY the
already hslf-vio!sted promise of Gov. Walker
to rely on, we do not feel at liberty to cherish
any very lively expectations of q favora5ls re.
suit But we yield to the solicitations of our
friends. We wish justice and freedom, but will
do our best to secure them without inlperillnr
the public peace. We have fearful odds against
US; we must try to overcome them. But
should we be overwhelmed, will the Federal
pication fo7 admission as a State into the I'm
ion? In that event. will not all good men sus.
tain US in giving effect TO our State Govern
ment, at ali hazardsY At any rate, this NAV
be regarded as the only attempt which will
ever be made to adjust our great diff Guilty IN
der the Territorial Government. What may be
done after that, however, it is not our province
to declare.
TO THE PEOPLE OF MISSOURI
Before closing this address, the committee
desire to submit few remarks for the special
consideration of the people of Missouri.
We desire it to be understood that the reo-
pie of Kansas do not charge the outra-es. To
which they have been subjected, upon the peo
pie of Missouri as a body. On the contrary
they know that the masses Of that people have
not joined IN these outrsges, bat have remain.
ed at home and denounced the invaders. To-
wards them We entertain no other feelings than
those OF respect and kindness. This he's been
aoundsntly made manifest BY orr actions.
Many town is now standing and thriving in
observation-disclosures of our consideration for
them, and esteem for their conduct. Respect
for tnis class of the people of Missouri has in.
duced us sedulously to refrain from r.taliatorv
measures. Those who have Joined in the raid
against us, under the sincere impression that
Massachusetts and other free States were iul-
porting votes into Kansas, have been grossly
deceived. That We are friendly towards the
people of Massachusetts and other free States
is not surprising. By their muDiGcence we were
furnished arms to defend our homes from pIun.
der and destruction. When the Missouri river
and markets upon our borders were closed
against us, the poor of Kansas were fed and
clothed by their iberality. Notwithstanding
this, however, we would resist them in apv Al
"a 1rt IN Of G..
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 election in March, 1855. many of the
peacetuliy-disposed citizens of Kansas left the
Territory, and good reason had they for so do
ing. Kansas was invaded by hostile forces.
organized for war, and her people ruthesslv
ranpled into the dust Was not this a suE
icient reasonS To that portion of the people
Of Missouri whose aims are foreshadowed in
he letter of Atchson to South Carolina, in
which he avowed his intention to again invade
Kansas, we have these things to say:
The interests of Kansas and Missouri ara
IDENTICAL A farm cannot be improved in Kan
'as. or town built up, without its, bene6tin
Missouri. A railroad cannot be extended INTO
Kansas from the States without its traversing
ue entire lcbRtn ot missouri FOR many years,
Missouri must be the market for Kansas. The
people of Kansas are entitled 10 the protection
If the came Constitution and fl ,g that protects
he people of Missouri. Should the people of
Kansas invade your homes, to wrest your bal.
otboxes from you by fore, what would be
'our feelings and actions? Would not all the
essential and indignant impulses OF your ma.
ure be stirred up? Would you not meet us
IN onr border, and with bayonets i'm your hands
hrust US back? An authority to which we All