The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1858-12-25
NisceIiapeOps.
Annexation Of "sou,h Platte" Nebraska, 10

Annexation Of "Souih Platte" Nebraska, 10
Kansas.
For two years past-in fact nearly ever
since the organization of Nebraska and
Kansas, there has been considerable said
in Congress and ont of it, as to the practi-
cal operations and beneficial results most
likely to arise by annexing "South Platte"
Nebraska, to Kansas. AS ajournalist and
private citizen, together with, we are sat-
isfied, great majority of the citizens of
Nebraska residing South of the Platte
FLYER, we have opposed such proposition
for the single reason that we would thus
become mixed up in the "Kansas difficult
ties" These difficulties being now re-
moved, or settled, we are forced to admit
that there are many and weighty reasons
in favor Of the movement. We will has
tily give a few arguments that present
themselves to our mind.
In the first place, the Platte river is a
natural boundary line; has been, is, and
always will be, an almost insuperable bar
rier dividing the two sections of Nebras-
ka, known as "North Platte" and "South
Platte" Full one-half the season it is
utterly impossible. 1t cannot be bridged
except at enormous expense and should
this be done, owing to the treacherous en-
bankmentS and bed of the river, nine
chances to one, the first freshet after its
completion, would sweep it away.
Again there has grown up bitter sec
tiOnal or local feeling between those two
portions of the country, entering into al
most every question that may be agitated,
which always has and always will prevent
harmonious effort, and retard the progress
and development of the Territory. In
short, there are no interests in common at
stake.
And, still again, while we remain as we
are, we cannot reasonably expect to be
admitted into the great sisterhood Of
States short of ten years to come. We
have not the population to gain admit
lance. We have not the financial ability
to sustain ourselves as an independent
State Government.
In the second place, the line, as it now
exists between Kansas and Nebraska, is
really only imaginary-on paper-in pass.
ing from one to the other it cannot be
found. Not even stone or stake denote!
the separating line, except perhaps some
private mark of the surveyor known only
to himself. The natural interests Of the
two sections spoken of are one and the
same; nature has so arranged, and it can.
not be otherwise.
By annexation, we assist to swell a pop
ulation sufficiently large to gain immediate
admission into the Union, and thus take
our place in the rank as sovereign State
with a voice, votes, and influence in oul
National Council. We become identified
with portion of the country possessing a
world wide notoriety. And however
much we may deplore the manner Of OBJ
tanning, and the cost of that Dotoriety, vel
must admit Kansas has an advertisement
unprecented; attention has been drawn
to her from, we might say, almost every
portion of the known world. We become
attached to, and gain population and
wealth; a section of country susceptible
Of agricultural Advancement and internal
Improvements, porportionate with oul
own. We become joint participants in the
extensive land donations which usually
follow the admission of new States, and
will thereby be enabled to adopt and carry
out q system of internal improvements
and consequent development, which will,
ina surprisingly short time, make State
Of unsurpassing wealth, prosperity and
greatness. We become possessed of the
power to regulate and govern our own af-
fairs; we pass from minority into majority.
become men of full stature (; breathe free,
act free, feel free, and are free.
We have briefly given few of our in
dividual ideas in relation to this matter
IN this issue Of our paper. We shall re-
isr to tagain, perhaps frequently; and in
the meantime would be pleased to hear
rom others who may feel disposed topre-
sent their ideas through the columns Of
the advertiser" either for or against.
We have conversed with q number Of
prominent citizens of Nemsha, johnson
and Clay counties within few days past
.aed md very general opinion in favor
VI annexation. We trust, however, that
40 action will tie asked of, or taken by
congress, until an expression by petition
VI otherwise, of the citizens interested
Gan Be hsd.-BrotOnrlle, N T., advertiser