Freeman's champion., 1857-09-03

rights at the polls At all hazards.
Gen. Lane was vociferously called
for. He commenced by comparing
our condition to that Of a prisoner
who escaped from his dungeon by the
drain which carried off the filth OF
the prison. It was a dreadful alter
native, but he chose it, So with us,
He abhorred the idea Of having any
thing to do with the bogus concern,
but wa must do it. This was not q
Free-State convention. True there
was a working majority here, but it
is the Peoples Convention, irrespec-
of party. With that fervid, indo-
Scribable eloquence which character
ICES his speeches, he alluded to the
commencement of the revolution
Only q small party came forward and
engaged for life in the struggle
Many hesitated before venturing to
risk all upon the issue, while many
went over to the enemy. He did not
charge that there were tories in Kan
zas, but there were prudent men who
wished to exhaust every peaceful
method of settling affairs before 60.
ing into battle for their rights. He
desired to 90, into the election, but
there must ,be;no backing. down, In
October we have the General and
Territorial Governments and Mis-
souri, to meet and overcome. But we
can and must do it, He here alluded
to the recent disturbance at Atchisol, 4,
and said a resolution had been pas
sed there, declaring it caused by %
personal matter between himself and
some citizens there He called upon
Gen. Pomeroy to explain,
Pomeroy said it was true. They
did so consider it. A man at Atchi-
SON said that Lane killed his brother
at Hickory Point, and he with friends
wished for vengeance. Pomeroy aid
they were engaged in a, gradual
movement at Atchison, and wished to
be left by outsiders, to solve the pro-
blem themselves. If Lane had been
a candidate, they would have defend
cd him, but under the circumstance
did not feel at liberty to embroil the
town in trouble to sustain Gen.
Lane. 81"
Lane said his appointments to
speak were made out by the District
Committee. He asked if Hickory
Point battle was personal affair p
Was Bull Creek personal affair p
He said Pro-Slavery men in Atchison
had said that Neither Jim Lane nor
any other damned abolitionist should
speak there" (Several voices, II
heard that" heard it many times
Lane considered it a party affair,
and an effort to suppress free speech,
He disliked to bring this personal
matter before the Convention. but it
was a duty to himself. He urged
the absolute necessity OF carrying the
election. No man would go farther
for peace, but if invaded again, we
should meet the invaders at the thresh-
old, and drive them back or die, Let
every man join some company. With
organization we can carry the elect
ION. He declared his undying affec-
tion for the Topeka Constitution, and
all that we do in this election is to
sustain that, @ .U'.
After considerable confusion, VIM.
A. Phillips succeeded in obtaining
the floor. We were very sorry to see
on attempt upon tho part of some to
prevent Mr.. Phillips from speaking.
We are glad to believe, however, that
it arose principally from a desire to
do up the business without delay. He
asked, care you ready to assert your
rights at tho ballot box by force 2"
(" Yes, yes T. was the reply, But it
has been urged, he said, that we must
60 into tho election to settle the mat.
ter peacefully. This did not seem
like very peaceful policy. Ii the peo-
pie are determined to 80 into the
election, twas not his province to
opposS them !; but he said that tho
way was beset with difficulties, and
believed that il would result disas-
trqusly to the Free State party.
He then introduced the following
resolution "'
RssolOed, That should any power,
leguimate Or otherwise, be obtained
% any lorce,of Free State voters al
tho proceeding called an election, in
0ctobor next. that this Convention
resolves th4t such powers shall only
be used tor Lle destruction OF usurp.
alion,. and that a Territorial Govern
lnent shall not be psrpetuated, but
that the Government under the Tope.
ka Constitution Is the only legitimate
Government. in
Thia resolution was referred to tho