The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-08-28
The Free State Parry.


Reports are still rife of the intended
dissolvment of the Free State party, and
We wish our protest against it to be as
prompt and persistent as the effort is per-
seyering to accomplish that dangerous
project. To dissolve our present organiza-
ton seems to Us sheer tempting of fate.
1t is staunch barrieade against the ad-
vances of tyranny. It is our only engine
of defense. 1t has ever been the stay
which prevented US from falling upon
destruction. It is an instinct with life,
by which the people, destitute of leader,
and ignorant of tactics, are able to protect
themselves. 1t rose up IN its place spon-
tapsously to meet our fearful exigency,
as great men are said to be born for the
times in which they live. It's the growth
of necessity which has not yet ceased
TO exist; and if now unnaturally dis
membered, its previous work may have
been in vain. For devotion to it our
martyrs have perished. The wrongs they
resisted are not yet righted-they are not
yet avenged of the power which destroyed
them. The Free State sentiment is the
genius of Kansas. 1t has hitherto led
charmed life. Abiding in the hearts of
our people, it will ever be invincible, in
destructible while they cherish it. But it
requires the devotion of those whom it
devotedly serves. We must not raise up
a trial to cripple its power. If We would
be free we must not suffer the love of
party, as such, to array inferior elements
against each other, divert the contest from
the main issue, and inaugurate fratricidal
policy at the moment when victory seems
propitious to US on the field of our hardly
fought battle. If we are to suffer no
more assaults, if indeed the liberties in
defence of which we invoked the aid of
that unit of Free State brotherhood, into
which the Territory resolved itself, are
yielded us, let US still suffer little delay
while we secure those liberties, doubly
dear since they cost US SO much.
If it be conceded by the Administration
that the people of Kansas have repudi-
ated the premium offered them for dis
honesty and rejected the proposition "
and the Constitution together, let US con-
slider what we have still to do, what that
the Free State party cannot effect better
than any other which can be conceived
of. We think that that which we have
first to do, will prove more difficult than
all we have accomplished. It is to wait:
until we have sufficient population to
send one representative to Congress, we
must postpone our next steps. Not that
the delay of our admission is irksome of
itself. We should be content to avoid
for a time the responsibility and expense
of State government. But as a party
to wait, our more active labor suspended,
our object removed to, though we trust
not remote, yet an indefinite distance,
obliged to preserve hostile altitude and
sleep on our arms with no visible prey in
the field, this viii require even greater
determination than has hitherto been de
maDded of US, as already appears in the
effort to disband and unite upon Other
bases. We believe it is not pretended
that the Republicans, or any other organi.
cation, could more effectually make Kan.
sas free than the Free State party by it:
simple and normal action will do; while
we contend that the dissolution of the
present party may cost us all our fail
prospects and all we have gained. A
little time, If we give ourselves over t.
divisions, may work such dissensionl
amongst US that we shall not be able Il
resist or subvert the Vaccinations of on
enemies. In short, in the happiest aspec
OF affairs, we have still our constitution t,
frame. The Free State party united, de
voted as they have been, can form on
) which shall be a crowning glory to ou
honorable history. The eyes of the worlt
, are upon US; at last we trust our destin,
is in our own hands. Provided fraud
) interfere no more in the result of elections
, we have but to choose between freedom
: and slavery. Only vigilance is, as evel
the price of liberty. Let it remain, there
fore, in charge of its long tried, jealou
, and faithful guardian-THE FREE STAT
} PARTY.-Ihe Gasshopper.