Freeman's champion., 1857-08-20
There is no Ballot Box Open to the
People Of Kanzas.


So far as we have observed, every
press in the whole country condemn
ing the policy pursued by the Free
State men of Kanzas, uniformly as
sumes that he may correct ut the bal
lot box all tho wrongs OF which we
complain This they ring in the ears
of their readers until a great many
good and honest men, led away by
these misrepresentation, really sup
pose that the people of Kanzas have
the same ready, unrestricted access to
the ballot-box as do the citizens OF
Ohio or New York.
Such representations are inherent
ly, radically and universally false
1t is complete and unmitigatcd in-
sultto talk to the people Kanzas about
redressing their wrongs at the ballot
box, so long as that ballot-box is in
the hands of their enemies, and hedg-
ed about by just such restrictions as
those enemies see fit to make. There
has never yet been a fair election in
Kansas held under the auspices of
the so-called "regular authorities. -.
The very first election for Territorial
officers was controlled, as all the
world knows, by Missouri bowie
knives and revolvers. AT the second
general Territorial election the ballot.
box was hedged abont by degrading
test oaths, and an illegal tax; and now,
at the next general election in Octo-
Der, a most wicked and infamous ap-
portionment will have completely
dislranchised Is counties of Kanzas,
a six months residence will thin out
half the ranks of those not distran-
chised by the apportionment, and fl
nally, a tar, more onerous than any
State ever yet dared to impose upon
her people for any purpose whatever,
will reduce to mere handful the
meagre remnant left by the action Of
the apportionment and the six months
residence What perfect nonsense
and insult to talk of redressing wrongs
at the 6allot-bor under such circum-
stances 1t is q cruel and wicked
taunt You might as we'll tell a
man to read after putting his eyes
out No, no, our tyrannical ''law and
ORDER" democratic" despots dare
not let us vote. We dHfy them to
submit their proposed Constitution to
q full and fair vote Of the whole peo-
pie. We defy them to let the whole
people have a fair choice be ween it
and the Topeka Constitution. We
defy them to let us have q fair and
honest election this fall in October.
We will agree forever after to abide
tho result, if, under the qualifications
prescribed for voters at the first cleo
tion by the Organic Act, Gov. Walk
er will order an election, appoint the
Judges of that election himself, and
then submit the question Of Freedom
OR Slavery-Topeka Constitution or
Lecompton G Constitution-Delegate to
Congress and Members of the Terri
torial Legislature, to peaceful arbi-
trament at the polls |
We defy the Pro-Slavery party to
accept of this proposition. We defy
them to accept Of either or all Of
them. We know they dare not, for
we know that nine-tenths of the peo-
pie are with us, and against them.
We dare them to an honest and fair
trial Of strength at the polls.
The day that witnesses the ballot
box freely and fairly opened to the
people Of Kanzas, under the super
vision of impartial Judges, will SEQ
the final settlement of this whole
Kanzas imbroglio. Till then, wide
spread and fierce agitation, tumult,
disorder and confusion growing worse
and worse every day, will reign, and
no power on earth can prevent it,
Laurence Republican.