The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-04-22

order, as defined by the Chief Justice, whose
edicts they enforced, and by whom they were In
their turn upheld in the commission of incalcu-
Liable villainy One instance, which fell under
my observation, will give, as an Illustration OF
the infinite iphumanity, the varied and out
rageous cruelty, commonly practiced under the
pretext of serving writs, as well as of the wriss
| themselves aNA 81 8bl - ~ a91 SOL
A charge Of treason was trumped up against
two men. They were forth with seized by depn-
ty marshal and his posse, their limbs loaded with
heavy iron chains, and themselves dragged, lit
orally dragged along the earth distance of
more than fifty miles. Bail was declined, and
they were committed to prison. Term followed
term, yet no indictment was found. After many
| months of weary confinement, sick and impov-
erished, they were reluctantly discharged, no one
appearing to prosecute them. This instance will
serve to show that the process of the court was
| a mere pretext to get possession of the persons
whose influence the Government had reason to
fear. The President of the United States cheer
ed on this diabolical business, with special proc
| lamations, with, money, with arms, and with
men, The surveyor generals Office, under the
auspices of C.lhoun, was used as y recruiting
station, and the Government funds to pay the
recruits. Asystem of espionage was instituted
in the post offices, the mails habitually ransack-
| ed, and offensive matter not unfrequenty pill
| Jagged and published. Batteries of cannon on the
| banks of the Missouri river, the ordinary route
to the Territory, effectually closed ii to emigra-
ton. TIE route through Nebraska, the only
practicable one left, was guarded by squadrons
of dragons Trains of emgrants irrespective
| of their character or Intentions were stopped,
and both persons and property seized and de-
tanned Meantime rendezvous was opened at
Oxford-since so prolific of election returns--to
recruit a militia force from Missouri, with which
Ito desolae the obnoxious settlements of the Ter
ritory. while in this enfeebled condition, beyond
| the hope of recovery. This army, when, after
several weeks, it took up the line of march for
the interior, numbered twentyseven hundred
men, well armed, and fortified with eight pieces
| of cannon belonging to the State of Missouri.
About this time, August, 1856, the most fright
full scene of all our history occurred-the sack
| of Leavenworth. A mob under the lead of a
Federal holder, (he is still One) assisted
in the command by other persons, who have
since, by virtue of their services on this occa-
| sion, been rewarded with lucrative places under
the present Administration, took possession of
| the city. Innocent men were butchered by day.
| light in the open streets, women and children
were forced, at the point of the bayonet to fly
| from their homes larger numbers of citizens
| were constrained to leave the country IN order
| to save their lives; the stores, warehouses, and
! private dwellings of the city were forced open,
and their valuable contents distributed among
this ruffian band. Some persons, with their
|
rison, close at hand. They were shortly ordered
away. 1t may be well imagined with what feel
| ings of modification this little band of sufferers
| turned away from the flag of their country, am
pie indeed to protect an American citizen from
indignity in any part of the world, save his own.
| The whole country was infested with rowing
| bands of ruffians. Manifold and most foul MUIR
| ders were committed. Long afterwards, the
! bodies of missing men were found unburied
\ xyha all IF
! things forced the rural population to abandon
! their homes, and seek safety in fortified camps.
The industrial interests of the country paralyzed,
| want became widespread. ! have not time to
| note particularly the many affecting and de-
plorabe incidents that mark this reign of terror.
1t was protracted through many months, abated
! somewhat to meet the exigences of a pending
Presidential election, but renewing itself with
less fury after that motive for modified &C
ton had passed away. These occurrences, which
| | have rapidly glanced at, make up what the
| President, in his annual message, is pleased to
| style Z" the alarming condition of Kansas at the
time OF my (his) inauguration" Twelve months
have rolled by since he assembled the seat of power
| and what is the condition of Kansas now How
| have profted by the change Have we less
| of the corrupt and prohigate crew of Federal
| officials, whose presence has so long cursed the
| country 2. Not only do the old offenders remain,
| but new appointments have been made, if posi-
BILE, more insulting, intolerable, and outrageous,
than the preceding ones. No other test of fit
ness. has been sought for or applied, save clear
completely with the crimes that have characterized
the career of the Administration party in the Ter
rtory. Most these appontees are in this city to-
| day, fugitives from the aroused vengeance of the
| people, hiding here, in the shadow of the White
| House. One Of these appontees at the time of
| his appointment, stood indicted for murder and
other henous crimes This fact was notorious
the President knew it. The appointment was
| made, and then the law officer of the President
| promptly stepped forward and entered a saolle
| prosegui" on the bill. Thus, second time, was
interposed the hand of authority to save crimi-
| nal from the consequences of his crime. Has the
| army been withdrawn 1t is well known, that
| under this, as under the last Administration it
| has been used to support all the reckless and
| desperate schemes of the Pro- Slavery party. Did
not its bugle sound the charge of rufians on the
ballot box in the elections of December and Jam
uary last 1t will hardly be denied. And the
judges, whose fame for corruption has passed
| into proverb-where are they 2
Still on the bench, to darken and degrade the
| highest Offices of human intellect; to illuminate
| DEGREES inspired by passion, and shock the con-
| science of Christendom by an open prostitution
of the law, Furnishing the innocent, but screening
| the guilty Such is the alarming condition OF
| things now not less than twelvemonth ago
Nor this alone. In this twelvemonth, an inter-
mediate work of most fearful augury has begun.
| The Lecompton Constitution has been framed
The President sends it here as tine finale of the
| Kansas troubles. 1t will be observed that do
not present that Constitution, although am the
organ of that people upon this floor. That blow
at their rights cannot be stricken through me-
On the other hand, in the course of my duty, |
have had occasion from time to time to lay be-
fore this House much pertinent testimony against
| it; protests from the people by their Conven-
tons, protests from the people by their Legsla-
ture, indicating the indignant and almost unan-
| imous disapproval of it by those who are falsely
said to have framed it, and for whose benefit Il
is with still greater falsity said to be intended
| The law to which this instrument is referable
| was enacted in February of 1857. The Legisla-
ture in which it originated consisted of a Coun-
Gill; chosen on the Both March, 1855, still holding
| over, and a House of Representatives chosen in
| October, 1856, under the operation of the test
oaths. | shall be told that Congress has pro-
nounced this Legislature valid, and their laws
| binding. II may be so. This assumption is in
fact the groundwork of all the assaults against
the cause OF popular rights in the Territory. But
| deny that such action on the part of Congress
| can estop the people of Kansas from pleading the
i facts of the case.
Congress cannot change truth into falsehood
| nor falsehood into truth. These qualities are
inherent in the essence of things; they indie
| street.-The, Interchangeable, and eternal. The peo-
i pie of Kansas will maintain, doggedly if you
please, the truth of their history, though every
i Congress, for century to come, should vainly
seek to falsify it by rt-sighted attempts to
| enact right into wrong.
The usurpation of the 30th March, 1855, is a
persistent truth. 1t cannot be forgotten; it mus
not be ignored. 1t taints with its pestlent touch
1 m or 1ft