Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1857-10-02

definite extent of country, having no geo
graphical connection whatever with it, away
off in the region of the Rocky mountains oc-
cupiod only by an Indian trading-post, here
and there, at which fictitious precincts may
be made, and from which fictitious returns
may be sent in. at any time after the election,
TO overcome the free-state vote. Besides
these things. our enemies have complete pos
session of all the machinery of the election.
Establishing the places for voting, appointing
the judges, canvassing the returns, declaring
the result Of the election, and all other mat
tors Of detail. arc in the hands of the county
commissioners, who were themselves elected
by fraud and violence from Missouri.
Mr.. Able partner Of Stringlollow, says that
Kansas must not be given up, and General
Atchison sounds the note of renewed prcpar-
alton TO South Carolina, and declares that
"with one more effort the work is done. -
With the Administration against us, with one
half the six month voters virtually disiran-
chised with an election law framed expressly
TO keep the newly arrived cmigrants from the
polls. with the hellish system of distrioting
and apportioning staring us in the face, with
most of the officers of the election, border
ruffians of the deepest dye, with the slave
party in Missouri boldly avowing through
General Atchson their determination TO in
wade us, with only the already half violated
promise of Governor Walker to rely on; we
do not feel at liberty to cherish any very live
~ expectations VI a1avorablu result. But we
yield 10 the solicitations of our friends. We
wish Justice and freedom. but we will do our
best TO secure them without imporillng the
public peace. We have fearful odds against
MS we must try to overcome them. But
shall we be overwhelmed will the Federal
Government still regard with disiavor our APP
plication for admission as a State into the
Union, In that event, win not all good men
sustain us in giving effect to our State gov
eminent at all hazards At any rate this
may be regarded as the only attempt which
will ever be made to adjust our great difficult
ty under the territorial government What
may be done after that, however, is not our
province to declare.
Before closing this Address the committee
desire to submit few remarks for the special
consideration Of the people of Missouri
We desire it to be understood that the peo-
pie of Kansas do not charge the outrages to
which they have been subjected upon the
people Of Missouri as a body. On the con-
trary, thoy know that the masses of that poo
pie have not joined in these outrages, but
have remained at home and denounced the in
vadcrs. Towards them we entertain no 9TH
or feeling than those of respect and kindness.
This has been abundantly made manifest by
our actions. Many a town is now standing
and thriving in Missouri-monumcnt of our
consideration for them, and esteem of their
conduct. Respect for this class of the people
of Missouri has induced us sedulously to re-
rain from retaliatory measures. Those who
have joined in the foray against us under the
sincere impression that Massachusetts, and
other free States were importing votes into
Kansas, have been grossly deceived. That
we are friendly towards the people of Massa- /
chusetts and other free States is not surprs- /
ing. BY their munifcence we were furnish
cd arms to defend our homes from plumber
and destruction. When the Missouri rivers
and markets upon our border were closed a
gainst us the poor of Kansas were clothed
and fed by their liberality Notwithstanding
this. however, we would resist them in any
attempt to despoil us of our franchise, as we
would resist the people of Missouri, But
we deny that the people of Massachusetts. or
Of any other free State, ever attempted any
such thing. 1t is doubtless true that imme-
diately after the election of March, 1865,
many of the peacefully disposed citizens of
Kansas left the Territory, and good reason
had they for so doing. Kansas was invaded /
by hostile forces organized for war, and her
people ruthlessly trampled into the dust
Was not this sufficient reason: To that
portion Of the people of Missouri whose aims
are foreshadowed in the letter of Atchison to |
South Carolina, in which he avowed his in
tention to again invade Kansas we have
these things to say -
The interests of Kansas and Missouri are
L.. L.,
Kansas. or town built up, without its bene-
fitting Missouri A railroad cannot be OK
tended into Kansas from the States without
its travorsing the entire length of Missouri.
For many years Missouri must be the market
for Kansas. The people of Kansas are enti-
tied to the protection of the same consttu-
ton and flag that protects the people of Mis-
souri, Should the people of Kansas invade
your homes to wrest your ballot-boxos from
you by force, what would be your feelings and
actions Would not all the resentful and in
dignant impulses of your nature be stirred
up; Would you not meet us on our border,
and with bayonots in your hands thrust us
back ? An authority to which we all defer
has said. do unto others as you would that
others should do unto you We implore
you not to attempt to again violate our rights
We are men as you are and our common
manhood requires that we should resist YOU
if you do. We are organized for defence
We have the pledge of Gov. Walker that he
will use the troops of the United States in
our behalf. II you persist against your best
interests-against all considerations of patri-
otism-against all manly and Christian duty
in the mad course some would mark out
for you, a war must ensue, protracted and
bloody, between Kansas and Missouri
1t may be extended all along the line to
the Atlantic coast. A dissolved Union and a
broken government may be the result For
the highest welfare Of Kansas and Missouri.
in the name of our common country and the
living God, we appeal to you to refrain Re
main at home. The Kansas question will
then be peacefully settled the agitation Of
slavery will cease and Kansas and Missouri
will go on prospecting and to prosper,
Having thus discharged the duty assigned
them, the committee would conclude by ex-
horting all the people Of Kansas to go to the
polls on the day of election. in pursuance of
the action of the Convention, and deposit
their ballots for candidates of their choice
Whatever may be the result of the election,
we believe our cause will be strengthened by
such a course.
KANSAS correspondent of the ST. Louis