The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1858-11-13
Organize the Rspublie.n Party.

The Palermo Leader has good article
on the organization of the Republican
party in Kansas, most of which we copy
below. 1t is astonishing that any man
could be found so destitute of COM
mon sense as to urge proposition to dis
band the Free State party at this time.
Had the advocates of the measure failed
to put themselves upon the record as ia
voring the proposition, we should look for
an open denial that they had ever coun-
tenanced the movement, in any form.
We copy from the Leader -
"The Free State party was formed to
render Kansas Free State. 1t was
thought, at the time of its formation,
that in no other way could it securely
throw about US the protection of free in
situations. Every stigma that a partizan
press could thrust upon it; every insult
and wrong that sectional President and
heated mobs under the control of his sat-
elites could, were heaped upon its men,
beers. Over all these obstacles it has tri-
umphed-to-day that party has actual
control of the Territory. Is that reason
why it should disband ?
"We have for years been attacking the
enemy's outposts these have, one after
another, been taken, and now we have
gained the commanding ground of the
battle field. With greater numerical
strength and better position in the field
than our enemies, we are secure of vic
tory-but shall we, because we have
gained this position, this partial victory,
strike our colors to have them taken to
the enemy's camp and used as decoy for
our men, and thus, with its army strength
ened and ours weakened, prepare for a
battle which will snatch victory from our
grasp?
at is said that the mission of the Free
State party is performed, and that, its OBJ
ject attained, we ought now to take our
place in the national parties. If we claim
that Kansas is now free State, most as
suredly we had, for then we could enlist
our strength with the party in whose
national policy we may sympathize. But
who claims that Kansas is State, either
free or slave ? The party was formed to
render it free State-has its mission then
been performed Have we now any bet
ter assurance of a speedy admission into
the Union as q free State than we had
two years ago, and has there been no util-
ity in the organization since that time ?
1t may be said that we have an over
whelming majority in the Territory for
freedom but had we not then To be
sure we hold now the high elective Offices
throughout but let our opponents con-
quer through our division, and they will
use the power against us as strongly as
ever. Is not their platform to-day the
same as it was two years ago? The only
difference in their position is they now
claim to have Free State sympathies.-
Free State sympathies on a Pro- laVcryplat-
torm!! -. .-...
"The Free State party has yet a high
and noble mission to perform. With its
strength we can be secure of free institu-
tons while yet Territory, as well as
when we assume State form of govern
ment. Until we enter the Union, let US
not dissolve that party /; its power is all
that protects Us from assaults like that
which we defeated on the second of Au-
gust It's sphere of usefulness has been
enlarged, instead Of contracted. It may
be many months, perhaps years, before
we enter the American Confederacy; let
US then insert an additional plank in the
Big Springs platform, that Slavery may Be
legislated in or out Of Territory BY its in
habitants, and we have q platform broad
and strong enough for the scaffolding Of
the noblest State edifce. u 1
"If the Free State party was composed
Of none but Republicans, we know of no
practical good that would result from tax.
ing that name. That the Republican party
has been the firm friend of Kansas in her
troubles We believe; but we can be of no
substantial benefit to it; we have certain
ly no votes to give it to strengthen its po-
sition in Congress The Free State party
has endorsed the course of the Republi.
cans in regard to Kansas is it for its in
terest to endorse the whole course, the
whole platform Of the party ?"