The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1857-06-13
eommunicatioQs.
5Dr ns Hvqad Of Freedom.

IN which is set IoItH tiiS f0o'
tends shall govern him in hisadmlnlstra'iOh
of the Territory. This document Is now
to be put through the ordeal OF pu0hc
criticism and private discussion. l care
not so much to attempt an analysis Oh Inc
doctrines therein contained as to express
a few hints for the consideration OF con-
servatiye Free State men, which are sug-
gested as much by the appearance OF the
authoritative document before mentioned,
as by any principles or policies it may
contain.
1t seems needless to observe, that there
is really in existence in this Territory but
two political parties, one of which is
marked by its devotion and adherence to
the principles of Free Labor, Free Speech,
Free Press, and genuine Popular Sover-
eighty; and the other equally distln-
gaished for its devotion to the institution
of Slavery, an intolerance of public or
private opinion, and disregard for the IN
alienable rights of citizenship. The IS
sue is made up between these parties, and
is to be tried by the people of the Terri
tory, whose verdict will be expressed
through the medium of the ballot box
The cause is on the calendar-the Free
State party versus the slavery propagan-
dists-and must be tried. 1t takes prece-
dence of all other questions.
The names that may be attached to
these political organizations, besides those
already indicated. do not change their
character in the least twill not be con-
tended by any reasonable man, that the
designation of "AbolitiOnists'' opprobri-
ouslv applied to the Free State men in
the Territory by their enemies, makes
them so in fact, or in any manner shows
any sympathy or connection between it
and the abolition party of the States
Neither does the name Republican con-
meet the Free State party with the organ
ization of that name i'll the States. Nei-
Their does the high sounding assumption
of the pro-slavery party of the National
Democracy, necessarily make them an
integral portion of the party now in power
in the General Government. Honest,
high-minded Free State men, who may
even yet acknowledge allegiance to that
party in other places, blush at such i'm
pudence. and protest against the use of
the name they acknowledge, to forward
the interests of an institution towards
which thew have only feelings of hostility.
They object to this pilfering OF "the liv-
cry of Heaven to serve the devil IN
The contest, therefore, irrespective of
names. is really and in fact between that
portion of the people of the Territory who
are in favor of free labor and its necessary
concomitants. and those who are in favor
of slave labor and its inevitable results.
The policy, then, of the Free State
men must be apparent. 1t certainly Is
not to divide, and thereby become disOr-
ganized in consequence of party names,
that have no application or significance,
and it is not to claim for the Free State
cause any responsibility from parties out
side the Territory. There may be pOr-
ton of the Democratic party, as such, of
the Democratic party at large that warmly
espouse the principles of the Free State
party here. This does not make this
Free State party by any means part and
parcel of that Democratic party. The
Republicans ofthe States generally are IN
sympathy with the doctrines of the Free
State men here, but this does not make
them identical as an organization. The
one single question of slavery or no slave
~ divides the public sentiment of this
Territory. Other principles or policies are
not discussed. That must of necessity
come after final settlement of that ques-
ton; unless the Democratic party ayows
itself as holding to but one principle, ii
can neither be of one or the other of the
parties that are contending here, and un-
less the principle of free soil an Kansas is
the only element of the Republican party,
itneither can claim the Free State men
as "bone of its bone and flesh ofits flesh y
Every earnest Free State man desires
that all party poejudice be thrown aside
and union of Wings, Democrats, Know
Nothings and Republicans upon the pol
icy of Free State for Kansas.
How can it be best promoted? There
is not certainly that union ofthe elements
opposed to that system of intolerance oil
political views, and those extreme doc
trines of slavery propagandism that is
supported and advocated by the party
now welding the Territorial government,
that gives us strong and unwavering
hopes ola triumph. While this latter or
ganization, under the name of National
Democracy" are thoroughly and indisso-
lubly a unit, the Free State organization
is rent in pieces by petty differences and
presents a most admirable illustration of g
shouse divided against ITSELF" Utter de-
feat is our fate, if this condition of things
4 nIlan
Besides this foolish adherence to party
names and Identification with the organ
lied parties in the States, there is another
element of discord which will perhaps be
more difficult to destroy.
There are the Topeka Convention men,
who propose to set up government with
out the forms Of law, and opposed to Ter
ritorial government de JGacto-and may
saw the Federal Government. At the
time this movement was initiated, there
can be little doubt in any candid mind
that it was perfectly legitimate-those
concerned having historical precedents.
which fully justified them in establishing
State government without an enabling
act. But the constitution thus framed
failed of an adoption by Congress, this as
matter OF course Threw ehe people pack
into their Territorial condition, and leav-
ing no law or authority in the Territory
except that which was established by the
organic act. Whatever, then, might have
been the original virtues of the Topeka
organization. it certainly at this time, I'M
less newly inaugurated and sustained by a
MAJORITY of the PEOPLE of this Territory,
can hardly be considered by those having
no personal interest in keeping it up as
stale, as having lost its vitality, and I'M
supported by law as well as policy.
know many Free State men will re-
gard these as the sentiments of some No
tiopadI Democrat, who wishes, for the sal
walton of his party, to have peace in the
country; but assurances may be given
that the humble individual who writes is
neither NATIONAL nor other Democrat, in
its modern sense, bat an uncompromising
Free Soiler-one who expects to make
Kansas his home, and who desires above
ali things that peace and harmony should
prevail among the people, and that all
contests should be bloodless-thee conflicts