The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-01-17

y
i.ounectad with the early and general
construction of this rapid and salts
factory means of transit.
While on the subject of internal
improvements, would call to your
notice. and solicit for it your serious
consideration, the opening, at the ear
liest period, of a more easy means of
communication with the sea-board
than any we at present enjoy. One
great obstacle to our prosperity is the
immense distance we occupy from all
.ba great maritime depots of the coun-
try by any of the routes now travelled.
This can be removed by the construc-
ton of railway, commencing at an
appropriate place in the Territory.
and running southwardly through the
Indian Territory and Texas, to the
most eligible point ON the Gulf Of
Mexico. The entire length of such a
road would not exceed six hundred
miles, (much less than half the dis
tance to the Atlantic. and at an ordi-
narv sreed of railroad travel, could be
travsrsed in less than twenty-four
hours. 1t would pass through coun-
try remarkable for beauty of scenery,
fertility of soil and salubrity of eli
mate. and which has properly been
styled "the Eden of the world" and
would open up new sources of wealth
superior to any that have yet been dis
covered on the eastern division of the
continent. 1t would place Kansas,
isolated as she now is, in as favorable
position for commercial enterprises
as very many of the most prosperous
States of the Union, and furnish her
sure, easy and profitable market for
her products, as well as safe, expe-
tlitious and economical means of OBJ
tanning all her needed supplies at eve
" season of the year. You will not
fail at once to perceive the importance
of this suggestion. Not only Kansas
and Nebraska. but the entire country
west of the Mississippi will be vastly
benefited by its adoption. The adj
rantages to Texas would be incaleula-
ble; and should you be favorably in,-
pressed with the feasibility of the
plan, would advise that you commu-
nicate, in your legislative capacity,
with the Legislature of that State,
and also with that of the Territory OF
Nebraska, in regard to the most efec-
tual measures for its speedy accom-
piishment.
CHAPTER l49, permitting settlers to
hold three hundred and twenty acres
of land, is in violation of the pre-
enption laws, and leads to contention
and litigation.
Chapter l5l, relating to slaves, -
attacks the equality which underlies
the very theory Of our Territorial
Government; destroys the freedom OF
speech and the privilege OF discussion,
SO essential to uncloak error and ena-
ble the people properly to mould their
Institutions in their own way The
freedom of speech and of the press,
and the right Of public discussion upon
all matters affecting the interests of
the people, are the great constitution
al safeguards of popular rights, liber-
ty and happiness.
The Act in relation to a "Territo-
rial Library" makes the Auditor eS-
oficio Librarian, and gives him au-
tkority to audit his own accounts
These offices should be distinct, as
their duties conflict.
The congressional appropriation for
"a Territorial Library, has been cx-
pended in the purchase of a very val
uable collection of books.
lime and space will not permit me
to point out all the inconsistencies and
ineongruities found in the Kansas
Statutes. Passed, as they were, un-
der the influence of excitement, and
IN too brief a period to secure mature
deIiberation, many of them are open
to criticism and ceasure, and should
pass under J our careful revision with
a view TO modification or repeal
Some which have 0een most loudly
complained of have never been en-
forced. 1t is bad principle to suffer
3 dcad-ietter laws to deface the statute
book. 1t impairs salutary reverence
tor law, and excites in the popular
mind questioning of all law, which
directly leads to anarchy and eonfu-
sion. The best way is to leave no law
'on-the statute book which is not uni,
formly and promptly to be administer.
ed with the authority and power of the
government.
In travelling through the Territory,
/ have discovered great anxiety in re-
lation to the damages sustained during
the past civil disturbances, and every
where the question has been asked te
whom they should look for indemnity.
These injuries-burning houses, plum,
-'lering fields, and stealing horses and
other property, have been fruitful
source of irritation and trouble, and
have impoverished many good citi-
zens. They cannot be considered as
4pringing from purely local causes. and
as such, the subject of Territorial re-
dress. Their exciting cause has been
outside of this Territory, and the
agents in their perpetration have been
the citizens of nearly every State in
the Union. 1t has been a species ot
national warfare waged upen the sol
efkansas and it should not be forgot
ten that both parties were composed Of
men rushing here from various sec
tons of the Union; that both com.
mltted acts which no law can Justify
and the peaceful citizens of Kansas
Gave been the victims. In adjusting
the question of damages, it appears
proper that a broad and comprehen,
SlVe view of the subject should be ta-
Ken; and have accordingly suggest
ed to the general government the pro-
prlety of recommending to Congress
The DasSao,s of an apf nrnvidino for Tho