The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-05-09

plunderers under the lead of Pate
from Missouri. The battle OF Frank
lin followed. in which the Free Stat,
men were also victorious. Whitfield
the bogus delegate to Congress, who
was advancing into the Territory Will
large force, was unceremonionsly
sent back by Col. Sumner, comms /
ing the Uuited States Dragons. Tbs
rufians murdered a Free-Sate man.
Cantral, in cold blood by way of re-
venge. and Committed other heartless
depredations. During the rem ainder
of the month of June, the Territory
was afflicted with all the horrors of a
bloody civil war. Osawaiomie was
sacked by large Pro Slavery rompa-
ny. who destroyed or Carried OF evssy
thing of value, and shameluily abused
the unarmed and defenceiess citizens.
Then followed tie Missouri river out
RACES. The boats were stopped and
searched-money, goods, and arms
stolen, and Northern emigrants sent
back penniless. Gov. Shannon, Col.
Sumner and Judge Lecompte refused
to interfere, and the Administration
openly encouraged the depledations.
Upon the 4th of July the Fle1- State
Legislature convened at Topeka, pur-
suant to adjournment. 1t was day
memorable in the history Of our Gov
ernment. upon which our foreiathers
declared their independence in dec
lalation which constitutes the nobiest
paper that graces the archives of any
nation, and IA marked correspondence
existed between the two occasions,
though separated by long lapse oil
years. The Free S ate men oil Kan
sas met, like the Revolutionary patri-
OTIS, In a dark and Trying hnur--
They met, as lovers of liberty, to OF
gamize against an existing oppression.
They met As men who had felt the
yoke ct bondage, but mho could not
submit to the en,lavement of body or
soul. For peaceful de.i9eration they
had convened to consult the Interests
OF their country, and to devote them
selves to the administration of Justice.
They met in obedience to the will OF
the majority of the residents oil KAN
sas. and they were entrusted with the
hopes and the prayers of suffering
people. Then AMI there, in that sa-
cred place and on that solemn day.
was an outrage committed which must
ever remain blot upon the historic
page-an outrage that mantles the
cheek OF every true American with
shame, and paints, with vivid .colors,
the ,legeneracy and degradation OF om
Federal Government. For when the
Legislature was on the point OF com
in5 to order, the gleam OF United
States arms. and the entrance of Fed
eral troops were seen, AMI an officer
of our Government ordered the Legis
ialure to di>psISe. lie spoke, not for
himself, but for higher 9th tial--for
him who occupied the most honorable
position that this or any country
knows. Cromwell once dispersed a
refractory parliament, and the great
Napoleon an angry assembly; but
these u>urpations of authority Were
nothing in comparison TO that exscu-
tel by Pierce in orierin, "a Federal
officer to diSper>e Legrslatur. con-
vened i'll violation of no law or estab-
li>hed principle in a country profess
ing to be free Republic. 1t was one
of the darkest OF the many dark deeds
that distinguished the last Admins
tration, amt consigned it to a grave OF
everlasting intamy.
When reports OF what was transpi-
ring in kansas-of Shannon $ reach
cry, the ruffian's cruelty, and the Ad-
ministration's duplicity, reached the
Northern States, they were scarcely
credited. Persons could not believe
that the detailed cluelties had been
committed. or that the Government
could lend its sanction and endorse
ment to set of ruffian INVADERS
But as the reports were substantiatel
and the frightful accounts of existing
affairs verified, the Northern people
awoke to realizing sense of their
duty. and contributed men and means,
as we'll as arms anil provisions, for
their friends and relatives in the far
West, with an alacrity and liberaliiy
that did them honor.
As Northern emigration on the
Missouri River was interslicted a new
route was opened through Iowa and
Lane took charge OF large body of
emigrants, who reached Kansas during
the month of August. The supplies
they brought, together with the evi-
dence they furnished to the Free State
men that their struggles and priya-
tions were not unappreciated, cifeered
and animated them with new hope
and a fresh cour lge. A short time
previous to this Mr. Gay, the only.
Free State Federal officer in the Ter
ritory was eruelly murdered. Col.
Sumner who had exhibited some hu-
manity toward the Free State men was
by Gen. Smith of Louis
lana, who was expected to side eati e.
ly with the Kansas invaders. On the
5th of August, another contest took
place between the respective parties,
near Osawat.amie, and set of Geor-
gian marauders were driven from their
post. At the same time Major Hoyt
of Lawrence, who hal be>n sent, sin
gle and alone. to demonstrate with |
prowling banl of Sontherners, .underi
Colonel Trealwell, was waylaid and
murdered.
Important events followed IN rapid |
succession. and various warlike en-
counters took place between the Free
State aud Pro S'avery parties IN which |
the latter were generally worsied. On
Lhe 18th of August treaty of peace
was concluded between the citizens off
{ Llwrence and Gov. Shannon. On
he same day two Free State men were |
murdered and scALPED near Lsaven-l
worth. while a German ybo expressed |
he horror 81 stha h11o = ss<-EssI- 80.