The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1857-07-11

This one act, of itself, would, in times
of public virtue, have caused the immedi-
ate dismissal of the Judge, for thus COM
promising his official character for impair
tiality, and for violating the organic act,
which stipulates that the people of the
Territory 'shall be left perfectly free to
form and regulate their own domestic in
stitutions in their own way.v
Judge Elmore brought into the Terri
tory with him several slaves. The judi
cisry, at so earlya day, lost its character
for truth and Justice. which III has never
recovered; and up to this day, the cry of
the people is, "Give us a new Judiciary"
Soon after the election, Gov. Reeder
moved his office and effects to the Shaw
nee mission, two miles west of Westport,
Mo-, and remained there during the win
ter and spring.
In January and February, 1856, he
caused census to be taken, which exhib-
tied a population as follows: 5,128 males,
1878 females-total, 8,501. OF these,
3,469 were minors, 242 slaves, and 151
free negroes. There were, when the CEN
sus was taken, only 2,9o5 voters in the
Territory.
The Governor also appointed Justices
of the Peace and other officers, to act in
various localities, under the organic act,
and the mental machinery of civilized
communities was put in operation, and
worked harmonio,lsly till Missouri came
again with her politicians, her banditti
and her Border Ruifians, to usurp the
power, seize the government, and control
the destiny of Kansas.
During the winter, active measures
were taken in Missouri to organize the
population more thoroughly, and stimu-
late them to come to Kansas to vote, and
if necessary to success, to kill those who
might oppose them.
The people of Kansas were made
aware that these plans were laid-that
secret societies were organized-that
funds were contributed to hire men, to
purchase arms and ammunition, for the
purpose of overrunning Kansas, taking
possession of the ballot boxes at every
precinct, putting in men from Missouri
for members of the first Legislature, and
thus secure to the slaveholding oigarchy
a foothold, and a permanent control of
the present and future destinies of Kansas.
The border counties of Missouri were
thickly populated, and had been long set
tied, were violently pro-slavery, and were
under the lead of unprincipled dema-
gogues, who spared no expense nor effort
to accomplish their unlawful and treason
able designs.
To defeat this, the chief reliance Of the
Free State party was iIi-the principles of
the American government, and faith in
the Territorial and National Executives.
During the winter, ''Free State Societies"
had been formed, for the purpose of Sc
curing unity of action; for unless minor
differences were laid aside, it was evident
to all that the people would be defeated.
In Lawrence, in Manhattan, in Pawnee,
and in several other places, meetings
ings were held by the citizens, to protect
themselves from the fatal results of an
illegal invasion by the citizens of Mis-
souri,.
The citizens of Manhattan invited the
Governor to call the first Legislature far
up in the interior of the Territory, that
it might be removed from the influences
and fears of Missouri. But all these eff
forts and precautions were of no avail
When the election came, Kansas was
overwhelmed by an avalanche of violence
and crime, in magnitude and power en-
tircly irresistible and unexpected. The
barriers of law, and American usage, which
had been erected for protection by the
Free State settlers, were swept away like
straws before tempest, and have never
since been found In their stead has been
inaugurated a system of tyranny. false
hood and fraud, hedged in and protected
by L. S. bayonets, nourished and sup
ported by United States money,-kept in
favor and palmed upon,the American peo-
pie by false issues, false CLOSES, and
false statements, which, up to this time,
the people of Kansas have found no
means of effectually answering or resist
ing.
After Governor Reeder had made hi:
appointments of magistrates, constables
and other officers, of such persons as he
found in the Territory, and generally Old
Line Democrats. the Missouri people, whC
considered Kansas theirs, made loud com
plants. The matter was discussed in tha
[ --r E75a
State in public meetings, and in newspa
pers. 4 short extract from one viii IL
lustrate the feelings ofthe whole
aWe have been reliably informed tha
his Free Soil Excellency, Gov. Reeder
has been careful, in large number Of in
stances, to appoint to the efiices of justic'
of the peace, censtables, and other oficer
in Kansas Territory, men of Abolition
Free Soil principles.
1--WE believe it to be due tothe citizen
of Missouri, that President Pierce renloy'
! this Free Soil Governor, and put IN nj
/ stead some man entertaining different no
tons and principles upon the great ques
ton of slavery; who is in favor of incoT
porating Kansas Territory with such in
stitutions as those of our own great State
1--WE are gratifed to see that the elti
zens of the 18th District, in Kansas Ter
4 ritory, have determined not to submit t
Il. Il. ax{I hnr