The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-08-08

in dilemma.
Franklin Pierce, the President of the
United States, was native ofNewHamp-
shire, with an education equal to second
rate lawyer, and the natural talent of a
Yankee tin pedlar; he was made President
by the South, in consideration of services
which he was pledged to render in emer-
gencies which might arise demanding
them. In this instance, the leaders Of the
pro-slavery party on the border demanded
the removal of Reeder. Really, because
he was a firm and honorable executive Of
fcer, and stood in the way of their
schemes for the enslavement of Kansas,
but ostensibly because he "speculated in
Kaw lands and town lots, and neglected
his duties as Governor of the Territory"
The Presidents delay to strike down a
faithful officer, enraged the pro-slayery
leaders in Missouri still more, and they
expected to be obliged to remove him
themselves.
Gen. B. F. Stringfellow, with his
friends, called on Governor Reeder at the
Shawnee Mission, soon after his return,
and demanded aa explanation of some re-
marks reported to have been made by him
at Easton, Pa, and demanded to know
whether he had said the conduct of the
border Missourians was rufianly, &c.;
and whether he-Gen. Stringfellow-
was included in that expression.
The Governor repeated what he said,
that the Territory of Kansas, at her late
election, had been invaded by a regularly
organized company of armed men-ruffi-
ans, if you please-who took possession
of the ballot boxes, and made Legisla-
ture to suit the purposes of the pro-slaye-
ry party; and gave it as his opinion that
Gen. Stringfellow was responsible for the
excitement along the border, and that 1t
would never have existed had it not been
for the course pursued by him in agitat-
ing the public mind.
Stringfellow, On hearing this, irnmedi-
ately sprang up, seized his chair, and
striking the Governor over the head, fell
ed him to the floor, and kicked him when
down. He also attempted to draw re-
volyer but Mr.. Isacks, District Attorney.
and Mr.. Ha1derman, Private Secretary,
interfered, and led the General into the
street. This was the origin of the phrase
Border Rufian, and how truly merited,
history will show.
This assault, with an attempt to kill,
had it been made in any civilized commu-
nifty, would have been severely punished
But here, and in Missouri, it was only
made the subject of boasting and laugh
ter. 1t was followed by threats of fur
ther violence, unless the Governor ceased
his opposition to "the will of the major
ity."
Before the assembling of the Legisla-
ture at Pawnee, public meetings were
held in various places in the Territory,
condemning the election, repudiating the
members, and threatening to resist any
laws they might presume to enact.
The first was held in Lawrence, on the
9Th of June, 1856. Thgmeeting wa:
presided over by John L. Speer, Esq, the
editor of the Kansas Tribune, which wa:
| then published in Lawrence. After tht
meeting had been called to order, NJ. +
Conway, Esq, was invited to address
it. Mr.. Conway had been returned b.
| the Governor as entitled to seat in thu
Council ofthe Territorial Legislature from
the sixth district. Mr. Conway resided
at Pawnee, in that district, but was thel
on visit to Lawrence The ground tha
he took in his speech, was: that the elec
ton $50 called) on the 3oth of March, wa
no election, but an attempt at conquest b.
the slave power in Missouri; and that
should not be regarded in any other ligh
by the people of Kansas. He denounce'
the Legislature which had resulted from
that invasion, as band of alien enemies
foreign to our soil, about to cncamp in on
midst for purposes hostile to the interest
of the people. He advised that their pre-
tended authority should be disowned an
set at nought; and expressed his inten
ton, so far as he was personally concern
ed, to treat it with contempt. He ais
declared his, intention to return to tn
Governor the certificate emitting him to
seat in the Council. and to refuse an
completely with the men who would'com
pose it, in the work they set themselve
up to dc. He advised this as the polio
which should be adopted by all thos
who had been fairly elected to eithe
| House and who had received certificates.
After Mr. Conway had conclude,
, speeches were made by John Hutchir
SON, Esq, S. n. Wood, Esq. E. d. Lad,
r. G. Elliott, and several others. Th
/. predominant sentiment of the meetin
was decidedly in favor of the positio
taken by Mr. Conway.
r Prior to adjournment, committee W.
appointed TO invite the several REPRESENT
tive districts in the Territory to send fiy
r delegates to an adjourned convention |
) be held in Lawrence On the 25th of Jun
s'to take into consideration the relatic
the people of this Territory bearto th
Legislature about to assemble at Pawnee
] &c.
: It is a fact worthy of note, that man
of the most talented and freedom-lovin
men in Kansas came here National Den
81 ocrats-were admirers of the Kansas y,