The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1857-06-23
Correspondence of the Chicago Tribune
KANSAS POLITICS.
Speech of Hon. Henry Wilson at Topeka.

4
| Senator Wilson of Massachusetts, arrived in
our city Yesterday afternoon. Although his
coming was wholly unexpected, it was soon
known that he was in the city, and move
ment was made at once TO have him address
the people. Several gentlemen Immediately
waited npon him at the Topeka House, and
n paper was circulated which received the
ready signatures of our citizens, urging him
TO remain over night and address the people.
He consented to do so, although he had IN
tended to return to Lecompton that evening.
At the hour Of meeting, the Hall was I'LL
ed to overfowing by the ladies and gentle
men of the vicinity. Many could not obtain
admission to the Hall, and were obliged re-
luctantly TO retire without hearing the Sena-
tor.
Mr.. Ross, Editor Of the Iribme-the
/ only Free State paper that was not suppress
| ed during the troubles Of last year,-presen-
ted Senator Wilson to the audience. He
was received Win nearty ana ehtpussasac
cheers BY the entire assemblage of ladies and
gentlemen.
Senator Wilson commenced by thanking
the audience for the honor they had done
him, and for their cordial greetings. He had
como to Kansas on no political mission. He
had no advice TO give the people concerning
any particular modes of action. He had en-
tire confidence in the people Of the Territory
60 the cause of Freedom, and in their capaci
tv to decide for themselves the best modes of
action to secure the objects they had in view,
and to vindicate their own rights, without
interference from friends or foes out OF the
Territory. He had come to the Territory to
see the country so cherished in the hearts OF
the lovers Of liberty, and to Zee the people
whose heroic endurance of wrongs and outra-
ges had won the affections of the men who
loved Justice and Freedom and loathed wrong
and oppression. He could assure the men
ave and the women of Kansas-that the
people os New England, of the great central
States &c the West. cherished in their bos-
oms the profoundcst admiration for tne;"' sell
sacrificing constancv and devotion. Arouno
tens &C thousands of Christian firesides, pray
crs daily ascend to Almighty God for Kan
sas and the people of Kansas. They lived in
tho affections and n cmorcs of the people OF
| the North, and were borne in their prayers
10 the God of Peace, Liberty and Justice
! The fields of Kansas, which had been pressed
by the heel of Border Ruffianism and red
dcned by the blood Of Barber, Brown. Hoyt,
Phillips, Buffum. and many other victims OF
tho hand Of violence, were dear to the lovers
of Freedom-the people of Kansas who have
! resisted aggression, adhered to principle, and
endured outrage were cndcared to them 10y
q thousand associations.
The people of tho North having failed be-
fore the nation to secure Kansas to Freedom
by National legislation, looked now hopeful
Kansas as Free State. TO ala III tnc WON
tbov had contributed tens Of thousands of
dollars and encouraging their brave sons ana
noble daughters to leave their houses, ma
farewell TO the haunts of childhood and the
associations of kindred and friends, to come
70 this land and endure the privations Incl
! dent to new country, to restore these eiofi-
Gus fields and Territory, once consecrated Tor
ever to Freedom for all men, TO freedom A.
gain. The hopes, the efforts, the sacrifices
tho prayers Of the people Of the North, he
felt confident would be crowned with success.
The heroic devotion. the enduring constancv,
the answering fidelity of the men and wom-
en- of Kansas. would save her, would yet o.
verthrow tie infamous code imposed upon
the Territory by an armed usurpation, altho
il WAS recognized, sanctioned and upheld by
an administration that had Just passed away
and its successor. Kansas was consecrated 70
freedom. The Slave Power looked upon the
beautiful fields with hungry ewes; Congress,
in obedience to the will Of that power, open
, ed this glorious land, the fit abode for toiling
freemen, to the blghting footsteps of the
bondmen. Hordcs of lawless invaders pour
ed over the Missouri, seized your government,
IL oc,l Lam ahl
very, supported their acts by armed invading
! legions, reddened yonr fields with blood anc
lumincd your skies with the light of sackeC
and burning abodes Of frcemen. The Gov
= eminent recognized and now sustains the u
e surpation. But all the deeds Of violence vii
ss ipnominiously fail. In spite of all the act
of Border Rufiianisn, in spite OF all the sc
?, ductions of office, the freemen of Kansas
: will win glorious triumph. They had al
ready settled tho question-settled it by thel
fidelity, devotion, sufferings. Thousands
men. with motives as pare and aims IA loft,
le as ever swayed the hearts Of the Purtan'
x x had rushed to these fields, and by their IN
3; telligence, their industry, their strength AM
~ =, II cir fixed resolve, had made it impossible
continue slavery in this fair Territory. DO
der Ruffianisn, may do its worst, the Buchar
an administration may reward with offcl'
positions the men from whose hands the spo
of blood will not out, but all efforts OF pov
er. all Establishments and seductions will ia
8. to parpetuato human slavery in Kansas.
a. cunningly devised plan, which closed agan
n the actual settlers Of the season, the BALI
'w boxes. which has enrolled men beyond u
C. Missouri on the other side Of the line, pl'
or or so carried out that the people are made po'
=, crlcss in the choice of Delegates to the 90
Tor vention, will not accomplish the object
making Kansas Slave State. All, oil
tie appliances would fail because the peop
-d- were true to the great principles, to q
.o, n,iphty impulse that brought them into u
ps Territory, and by their deeds, by the d"'
. beauty ,,f their lives they were winning ov
he he 10 Freedom many who came here to blast the