The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1857-07-04
ne pa.,---A Plan for ne Fsture.

In anotner place VIII DC louhu the Aeau-
ing editorial which was published in the
first number of the Herald Of Freelcm.-
That number was worked off on our pow
er press, in Pennsylvania, before taking it
down to ship to Kansas. Tsoeaty-one
thousand copies were printed, bearing date
October 21st, 1854, though it was actually
printed as early as the Goth of September
previous. We re- publish it, that all our
present readers may see where We stood at
that time-our motive in coming here, as
indicated in the fore part of March OF that
year-what our hopes were, and the IN
strumentalities we desired to employ IN
working the freedom of Kansas. Devot-
ed then, as now, to the American Union;
believing that all our political ills could
be cured by the ballot box; and believing
that Kansas was rich in the natural ele-
ments which are the foundations of wealth,
we relied upon the press to develope the
resources of the country, induee a heavy
immigration, and through that smigration
to control the political destinies of the
Territory.
1t was not part of our programme,
nor aeper has been, to array ourself against
the Federal Union. As Republican, we
believed in the doctrine that the majority
must rule; if they cannot rule by the bal
lot they viii be the minority in strength,
when the issue is decided by the sword,
and might as well submit first as last
Our troubles came on here in Kansas
The majority were beaten and ground
down by invaders from abroad, and the
principles of republicanism were crushed
for the time. Notwithstanding this, we
have always been strong in the faith that
the majority would triumph. In the Ian
guage of our leader, referred to, 1--WE
might be strickes down at first, but not
defeated" In the darkest hours of our
Territorial history, when the black cloud
enveloped the whole horizon, and our peo-
pie were driven with violence from the
Territory, and the air was filled with smoke
from burning dwellings, the earth was
vet with human gore, and the dead and
dying blocked up the road-though a
prisoner, charged with an infamous crime,
and denied ell intercourse with the outer
world: yet never for moment did We
despond. Through all the clouds and
darkness we saw brighter day, and re-
joiced at the prospect of peace, the tri-
uEnph of the right, and the restoration of
order.
Political sunlight gradually dawned.-
The clouds did not recede at once; but
one by one they sank below the horizon.
With an abiding faith in the wisdom of
Providence, firm reliance on His inter-
position to secure the triumph of justice,
We have waited and watched the devel-
opment of affairs. Though but one year
has interviewed, how different the aspect
Of the country to-day from what it was at
that period. Now peace and tranquility
reigns on every hand. Others may prog
nosticate evil, and tell us it is the quiet
which precedes the storm, yet the calm
observer knows such is not the case. Our.
civil rights are now within sez reach, and
nothing but impolitic action or mastery
inactivity" can defeat US.
With population of twenty to one for
freedom, we nsast go to work. We must
work unitedly and efficiently. We must
work to triumph, and if we cannot have
the selection of implements for working
our disenthrallment, we must use those of
the enemy. Never, save in Kansas, have
We known people too fastidious to use
the arms Of an enemy to work their libeE-
alton from slavery. The Israelites, the
chosen of God, did not hesitate to borTo,g
the wealth of their oppressors in order to
aid in working their way from Egyptian
bondage. The fathers of the revolution
did not stand on etiquette at Bunker's
Hill, Saratoga. or Yorktown, when striking
for Independence. But we in Kansas,
in the fgure of friend, have allowed the
enemy to coil the chain, link after link,
around Us; and we, with the dignity of
injured innocence, have stood quiet and
watched the progress of the work, until
now the few last links are being laid. and
the rivet is being prepared which shall
fasten the work and leave US forever in
his power.
Frsemen of Kansas Do you not see
the progress of the enchanter? The last
hope ID dying out. Another period lost,
and we are lest-irevocably LOST.
While the enemy has been at work,
employing every arsi6ce which his inge-
nuity could invent, 70 perfect bis work Of
enslaving US. we have been huggiag de
lusive phantom to our bosoms-a pllan.on
which has exhausted our best efforts 10.
infuse into it life; and yet it is phantom.
The opportunity which, if improved,
would have given Us controlling influ-
encs in the Constitutional Convention, has
bssn allowed to pass. Such was the de-
cree of the Topeka Convention of March
last. Il IVES political heterodoxy to OPP
pose is action. No Convention now
binds amour action, and We wish to be
understood IS laying down platform up
on which sre intend to stand, unless it is
manifsstly the viii of a majority of the
r,ee otate party to occupy other grounds.
In that case srs sbaH sasisse oar ppiaate
eoaiictsosss to sscnrs harmonious aettoH.-
Our policy IS hiss
Hnst. Il the Leconnpton Constitution
- - a IL