The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-02-20
uni.r. Of The rrse s,ate Parry.

Unity Of the Free STATIC Party.
To even the superficial observer, it has
been apparent for months that there were
discordant elemsn in the Free State par
ty. Those elements have assumed an
tagonistic forms, or acted in harmony, as
circumstances presented themselves. As
early as a year ago many were IN favor of
abandoning the Topeka movement, with
the view of rallying around the Terrific
rial organization, and wrestling the power
from the hands of the Border Rufian
usurpers, and placing It in the hands Of
the people. The 10th of March conven-
ton of last year was called at Topeka. to
head off that movement, and it succeeded
temporarily so far as the surface was con-
cerned. And then it was thought by
many to be the duty of the Free State
party to get possession of the Constitu-
tional movement. Those who elung to
the Topeka movement opposed this, and,
as consequence, those who favored it
were not willing to hazard the eensure
which they knew would inevitably fol-
low, hence the power passed into the
hands of the opponeHts of the Free State
Party By dgauH
Next followed the election of October.
Here the division for time was radical.
Those who favored voting were branded
with coarse epithets, were charged with
going over 10 the Pro-slavery party, turn
ing traitor TO principle, and no terms wero
too reproaehful to apply to those who led
off in the movement. The people, how
ever, endorsed it, and very generally en-
gagged in the selection, and Free State
triumph followed. Instead Of censuring
the project after the victory, those who
led off in the movement were discarded,
and those who came in at the twelfth
hour, claimed the honors, and The Of
fees, and they were awarded them rather
than to produce distraction in our ranks.
Then came on the convention of the
22d and 23d of December, and the decis-
ion, the elimination and recrimination
which followed. Then came the election,
the triumph, and the shout Of victory
Each wing of the party labored to vindi-
cate itself, and each party censured its
opponents.
All this time the division in the party
was based upon love of the Topeka or
ganization on the one hand, and the hatred
of it on the other.
When the Territorial Legislature as
semblsd ON the 7th of January, and the
Topeka Legislature adjourned to Law
renee, as did the other body, then hand
te-hand contest was carried on for about
ten days between the two bodies. The
Topeka Legislature, begged, importuned
and implored the other body to give way
TO it; whilst the legal Legislature stood
lis ground, but with soma few member
who were also members of the Topek;
organisation. fight was kept up whiel
partook of great virulence, and seriousl.
impaired the harmony of that body.
The legal government triumphed Owe
the revolutionary. From that day tn
Topeka project began to decline. and hop
seemed to die out.
AS the Topeka Legislature could no
procure quorum without taking mem
bers from the Territorial Legislature,
determined to adjourn until the termina
ton of the session of that body, when
proposed to re-assetnble and go throug
the farce of re-enacting the laws passe
By the Territorial Legislature. 1t di
convene, but whether it required to
much '.tall and lofty tusabiing' to folio
the peregTinations of its rival or whetl
eritwas deemed improper TO carry on II
legislation Of the country at their indivit
ual expense, getting no pay but spsi
which had no value. and added to this b.
doubtful honors, or some other motiy
they remained in session but two or thr.
: days. and adjourned sine disi Thus en-,
led the Topeka government, and thus te
minated the source of division and di
cord which has distracted lie Free Sta
party for the year previous.
TIM political doctors of she par
thought it proper to convene the peop
with the yiew of healing divisions in o
ranks, and marking out healthful futur
Handbills were circulated, and the repr
sentatiyes Of both wings Of the party a
pssrsd together on Saturday last fer co
saltasion. The body was sozsened in
mshatefy after the adjournment Of Il
Legislature, and adjourned about O.
o'clock Sunday morning, The discussi,
was heated enc. During the afterno1
the friends Of the Topeka moyemens e
crossed the time Of the Convention, Al
seemed 70 carry everything before thel
Whsa night came the contest "
changed The conservatives, as shl
have been called, came for ward. and pl
ssnted their positions. Mr. HEAra fI
led off in this mevemeIfs with clear Al
logical argument which eIcitsd the .lee
est interest. and carried conviction alol
with i. Then followed Mr. .Ewrss,
Leavenworth. Every word was nleasr
ed, and every expression seemed to riis
tthe idea be wished to advance upon !
sudiencs. Profound silence was olssv
throughout the hall, save when check
fsr q few moments BY the voluntary on
9 hurst Of applause, which his Webstsri
s style Of delivery cauld not Wholly sessgal
IL