The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-02-21

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The Governors Of the Free States,
in their late Messages, have spoken
nobly and truly of the affairs of Kan
sas. The Legislatures have as nobly
responded to their generous recon-
mendations. Vermont, Massachusetts,
Ohio. Michigan, and other States have
set apart liberal sums of money to aid
Kansas sufferers.
It was evident that this money must
be needed by the settlers. if, as was
reputed, the Free State men had been
driven from their fields last spring at
planting time, their horses and cattle
taken from them by violence, and, In
many instances, their houses plunder-
ed and burnt. 1t was fact which we
were cognizant of all summer, that
Free State men were afraid, in many
TO work alone IN their fields.
Having once assembled, it became
impossible to again disperse with safe
ty. Hundreds of writs were issued
by the so-called Courts Marshals
and Sherifs, with United States dra-
goons at their heels, were securing the
Territory in search of our farming cit
izens to arrest them. Day after day
our men were marching in different di-
reetions to defend the settlements from
the attacks of the Pro-Slavery guer-
lila parties, and often without food
Night after night they slept upon the
damp ground, without tents or blank
cts. After peace was restored, these
men returned to the places they once
called homes, but now homes no long
er. Some of them found their houses
pillaged and burnt, their families seat
tered, and their crops destroyed, and
themselves broken down by sickness.
The deSolation was complete; and to
add still more to its discouragements,
writs were procured against them on
their return, for thus acting in defence
of life and liberty. Many of our high
spirited farmers were ruined, utterly
ruined, and while engaged in efforts
to prepare a comfortable shelter for
themselves and families for winter, and
in saving the little remnants of crops
which might have been left from the
ravages of Border Rufians, they were
seized and hurried away to prison.
The execution of the plan for the ex-
termination of the Free State settlers
closed. The ruin was complete
Spring, summer and autumn had come
and gone, and crops had not been plant
ed. grown or harvested. Famine and
nakedness stood at the door. In this
emergency Providence raised up friends
who sent, to our brave and suffering
friends food and clothing, to carry
them through the winter. Men of en-
larged minds, and generous sympa-
thies, who could appreciate the con-
dition and the wants of an agricultur-
al community thus circumstanced, re-
solved on State appropriations, to re-
store the losses and relieve the burth-
ems which had so severely fallen upon
them. 1t was resolved that our brave
yeomanry, who are the bulwark Of
liberty everywhere, ought not to be,
and should not be, broken down and
reduced to poverty for. the want of a
little money.
In order that the funds might reach
those for whom they we're set apart,
information was asked by the several
Governors, of some of the citizens OF
Lawrence, who have replied that no
such aid is needed. We consider this
answer most glaringly inconsistent
with facts and with reason. Gentle
men who have been absent during our
troubles, or who have not Travelled
much in the Territory, or who arc
deeply engaged in town speculations,
ought not to turn from the Territory
and from our needy farmers those aids
which are SO greatly needed and which
are so nobly offered.
If these funds ale not to be given
as at first contemplated, we wonld
suggest that they be loaned, first, tc
those who have lost, in sums suffici
emily large to enable the farmer to &c
on with his business /; and then to thos,
who need, but have not lost. Aftel
five years these sums to be returned
with or without interest, to the States
from which they were derived, or t.
the school fund of Kansas, as the do
nors may direct.
Vi11ainous.
| tits reported that the bogus legis
liature has changed the Judicial Dis