The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1857-07-04
rre,,y Tan.

There are some men IN tins Territory
who have worked themselves up into the
belief, that there is second Thermopyla
IN Kansas, and that, Leonidas-like, they
must there sacrifice themselves in behalf
of Freedom, in order to be ranked among
the faithful and secure a place in the
regions of endless bliss. Such deladed
creatures are either to be FITTED or RIDI-
cULED until they are restored to their
senses. Wherever a public meeting is
held we find these would be patriots. hold
ing forth in stentorian tones, froclaiming
their own virtues and those of their par
tlcuiar followers, in something like the
following language: eve speak from
principle vote from principle, DIE for
principle. - Such Bunconbe rhetoric as
this would have been well enough in PEI
ter the Hermit. when addressing the
wild and turbulent mass of fanatical cru
saders that thronged around him; but in
our civilized and enlightened country, it
is all sheer bombast. Fast specimens of
Young America may be captivated by
such spread eagle' oratory, and be in
duced to fling up their caps and giyeyent
to their zeal in few hurrahs, but men of
good sense are only disguised by it. All
this ''pret:y talk" about principle, is only
a mask to cover up the inordinate desires
of these "shriekers'' for places of Office
and power. These dear fellows, who are
so anxious to DIE for Liberty, had much
rather LIVE to be United States Senators,
Members ofCongress, Governors and Leg
islators of Kansas. There is motive in
all this hifalutin. which cannot always be
concealed and kept from the searching
gaze of the people. These immaculate
politicians and Quaker heroes are after
the "loayes and fishes" but in order 10
direct public attention in another diree-
ton, and away from themselves and their
own sinister motives, they Shrek ''stop
thief to those whom they are unable
to control, and accuse them of being the
men who are doing these things. Should
these patriots ever perish in defence of
their principles, we should expect to find
them with. their backs TO the field and
their feet to the foe If they are brave
we shall find it ont when the hour of dam
ger comes; if not, it is miserable policy to
be boasting of it now. As soon as Kansas
is admitted as free State, "0thello's oc-
cupatiOn's gone,'' and these would-bc
statesmen sink back to their former level,
above which they never would have risen
had it not been for the circumstances in
which good fortune placed them. The
money-loving correspondents of the lead
| ing Eastern papers will find their stock
in trade exhausted as soon .as this Ter
ritory puts on the dignity OF sovereign
State, and law and order reign supreme
throughout our borders. Then is it TO;
time that we begin to inquire what all
this ''pretty talk about LIVING for prin-
eiple, and if need be, DYING for principle
means? These men value their lives as
highly rs any of us, and therefore we con.
cude that there is something wrong, wher
such egotistical expressions are prevalent
among a certain class, when there are nc
signs of danger anywhere. Why shall we
countenance such leaders in pursuing &
! course which must inevitably end in
moonshine or something equally unsub.
| stantial. These men do not want Kansa:
come so if they can help it.untif they have
each secured q good, paving office. or al
/ least the promise OF one, under the Stats
government. They know that Congress.
will never admit us under the Topeka
Constitution, or any other Constitution
owing its paternity to any action On thu
part of the Free State Organization
| While the Democratic party is in power
we can only be admitted through AN en-
abling act passed by Congress, or undeI
the legislation of the bogus concern cetlst
a Legislature, and holding its sessions a
LecomptoD. We can choose between
this course and our present unhappy con
dition, without law, without Courts ant
without Justice Then shall we follow
the Topeka METEOR any longer? or shal
we counsel together, and take the shortes
honorable route into the Union, REGARDLESS
of the ''prettv talk of our modern Spar
tan heroes?-kdnsas Leader.