The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-02-21
The Route 70 Kansss.

passed away. And we may indulge the
hope that emigration to the Territory will
be left to regulate itself. IF those only 90
TO Kansas who desire TO make homes for
themselves and families, and 10 participate
fairly in the formation of new State, we
are xery sure that no troubles VIII arise
There viii be 40 calls TO arms for war by
neighbor against neighbor; but the energy
and labor Of the people via be applied in
subauing the wilderness
We have no data from which 10 estimate
the probable aceessions TO the population of
the Territory in 1857 but they are likely
to be considerable; and as portion of the
emigration will probably come from Penn
sy1vania and other States east of US, 1t is
only fair to the emigrants, and only just TO
the people of Missouri, to present few re-
marks on the route to Kansas.
We wish particularly to disabuse the
minds of those who may have been persuad-
cd that persons emigrating to Kansas from
the non-slavehoiding part of the Union can
not safely pass through Missouri. Never
was greater error. There has been gross
and systematic Misrepresentation In regard
TO events on the Missouri river; and so far
has this been carried, that we have seen
even statements that the river route has been
practically closed against Free State emil
grants. How utterly grouhdless this asser-
lion is, we need not tell Missourians. But
we may say to people abroad that the charge
has always been, and always will be, ex-
tremely unjust.
No peaceable, respectable settler, going
towards Kansas with the object of procur-
ing home, and who has been content to
guard his own rights without interfering with
the rights of others, has over been moIesfed
in Missouri. 1t has mattered not whether
he has intended to vote for free State Con-
stitution, in Kansas, or otherwise, so long as
his department has been that of decent
man, respecting the rights of others as well
as his own, and observing the courtesies of
civilized life, he has received none but cour-
teous treatment in passing through Missouri.
Only men in open rebellion against the laws
and blatant fanatics, not content with be-
lieving themselves right, but obtrusively
tlirtIsting their views upon others, and de-
nouncing, rs devils incarnate, the people of
diverse opinions with whom they have come
in contact-oniy such have ever received an
unpleasant word, or act, whether on steam
boat or elsewhere, in Missouri. No proper
ty of peaceable, orderly, decent emigrants
has ever been interfered with. Only in one
or two instances have arms been seized
the arms Of desperate ruffians, on the way
to engage in rebellion against the laws, and
10 redden the plains of Kansas with blood.
The property thus seized has been diverted
from murderous destination, to be quietly
deposited in warehouses, where it could not
be used for purposes destructive to life and
government.
There viii probably be no more such oc-
currences, as there will probably be no more
strife of armies in the Territory.
In addition to the aid societies, we know
well that other interests have been at work
to keep up an erroneous belief in regard to
the Missouri river route. 1t is profitable to
the people of other sections to have emf
grants plodding their way to Kansas past
their DOORS But it is extremely unjust to
the poor enligrant himself to send him a
land Journey of several hundred miles, cost
ing him greatly more in time and money
than he would be required to expend on the
natural avenue through our State 1t is un-
fair to him, as well as to our steamboat in
terests, TO represent our steamboat officers as
so many rulfians, habitually Insulting their
passengers, and abundant in outrage on those
who patronizc them. Let US have a cessa-
ton of all this. Let the emigrants alone, to
get TO Kansas by the cheapest, easiest, and
most direct route.
So far as the Missouri river boatmen are
concerned, we believe they will compare
fivorably with gentlemen engaged in SINH
lar pursuits in any part of the country
They deal with people and goods, and not
with opinions. 1t is their purpose and duty
to carry passengers and freight, comfortably,
quietly and safely. Every boat is ambitious
TO give the greatest satisfaction and decent,
orderly, peaceable passengers are never per-
nlittcd to be molcsted. The political views
or original homes of passengers or shippers
are never inquired into. And no one troub-
les himself as TO how they intend to cast
their votes when arrived in Kansas, so long
as they deport themselves with propriety and
courtesy while on the way. The right OF
settlers to 60 to Kansas, TO vote for whom
and what they please, is about the last thing
our river men would think of interfering
with.
| We do not make these remarks on ac-
count of the business supposed to be lost to
our city or steamboats, by any diversion ol
! travel TO Kansas from Its natural route. The
effects of any such diversion are not felt
| Our city and our boats were prospering suf.
iciently before Kansas was opened for set
tiement. They can still prosper without the
small increase which the Kansas emigration
can, in any event, bring to us. And as to
the products of Kansas, when she shall be
IN condition to have any exports, we know
well enough the course they will take. The,
cannot be diverted from US. Our object is tC
set the people of Missouri right before the
world, and to aid, if we can, the deserving
emigrant, who is entitled to know the trath
This is the best route for him and his famiI,
and he ought TO know it. But we have ne
| idea that the New York Tribune, and kin
dred prints, will acknowledge the truth
| though they might as well, now that tht
election is over.
Will the Tribune dare TO let its reader,
see this plain statement of facts. Or ths
Times Or even the Hcraide Could any
thing induce those journals to do Missouri
justice Missouri RepuGiican.