Freeman's champion., 1857-06-25
The "Do-Nothlng Policy'---Willit
Make Kanzas q Free State2


An affirmation answer to this ques-
ton, must be sustained by stronger
argument than any that we have yet
heard, in order to convince us of its
correctness. The idea that the party
in power, in this Territory, will sy-
er relinquish any Of the advantages
that they have gained, is futile
Those who expect to see the time
come, atwhich they can go into an
election, on equal terms with the op-
position, are doomed to be disappoint-
ed. Judging the future by the past"
the longer the Free State party keep
away from the polls, the stronger the
net will be woven around them. The
Administration, the Territorial Off
cials and their supporters are against
us, and if we ever meet them, to set
tie the issue of Freedom or Slavery
for Kansas, we must meet them on
their own ground, and not on that Of
our own choosing. If they do us in
Justice, our only remedy is in OUR own
action. An appeal to Congress, un-
less backed up by the very strongest
evidence, would be of no avail
Then "why stand we here idle ?"
Why seek assistance of others, be-
fore attempting to help ourselves?
Why think of making KansasR p Free
State. by saying nothing, except ac-
cusing our opponents of fraud? =
Why hold Conventions and resolve
to take no part in elections, before
we know that the law, appointing
and controlling those elections, will
not be faithfully executed? Why
suppose because some Democratic
Officials have been guilty of perpe-
trating outrages upon some of our
citizens, that the entire party are in
clined to do the same thing? 1t is
nothing more than right, that we
shold give our political opponents
credit for their good deeds, and it is
certainly enough to find fanlt with
their bad ones, Then why not settle
this vexed question at the ballot-box
where all such issues should be deci-
ded? If we are beaten the first time,
we can console ourselves with the
thought, that there will soon be an
other opportunity to fight the battle
over again. BY voting, we place
ourselves in a position to prove up
any illegalities or Irregularities that
may occur. Without doing so, we
can never contest the election, though
a thousand frauds should be perpetra-
ted. BY going to the polls, we prove
to the world that we are peaceful and
law-abiding citizens; by staying a.
way, we repudiate one OF the iunda-
mental principles upon which our
Government is founded. Kansas de-
mands peace--needS peace-and we
should exceedingly regret any act on
the part of the Free State party
which should enkindle another war
within our borders. "The wayiaring
man though fool" can see, that it
is the policy Of the present Admins
tration, to throw the responsibility
of any farther difficulties that may
occur here upon us. Under such cir
cumstances it is much better to sub
nit to wrongs than to do wrong
We counsel moderation and deliber-
alton, and a reference to this issue TO
the ballot RanzaS Leader.
The "do-nothing policy" as the
Leader is pleased to term the conduct
of nine -tenths Of the people Of the
Territory for refusing to be bamboo
zled to participate in an election where
it was as impossible for them 10 have
anything like "fair shake" as it is
for the cloven-foot monarch to keep
from poking his nose into American
politics, is any thing but aptly ap'
Piled. Why is it, pray, that the Free
State party chose to stand aloof from
this election? VAST because they
were afraid that by so-doing all their
honor and pride as American free
men would have the appearance OF
being sacrifcedY Not at all. Foi
as humiliating as it would be, if the
Free State men could participate fair
ly in an election with the Pro- Slavery
party, though under the control of the
bogus government for policy's sake
they undoubtedly would suffer thoir
pride to be humbled long enough Ia
enable them to obtain their rights,
For us to attempt TO show that il
would have been impossible for the
Free State partv TO have participated