The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-04-17
what's ths Policy Of tie Free stals Parvs


We take pleasure in complying with his
request. and In general terms would say.
Its the same it was when the party was
originally organized, which was 10 make
Of this Isrritory a Free State in tie shortest
manner possible" Though the party is
divided in respect to the best means to
accomplish that end, yet We are unit ip
regard to the end to be attained. A GER
tain goal is to be reached. One party
thinks we should take the direct road and
travel right on until we reach our destina-
ton. Another prefers a eircuitous route,
when it seems absolutely necessary, and
thinksalittle deviation to avoid quagmires
will be the best in the end.
This is about the true condition of
Kansas politics. If each party would be
tolerant of the others opinions the end
would be accomplished, and we would
meet again at the end of the journey; but
one party is proscriptiye of the other
One party is determined that all shall
travel the route which it has selected.
that though deep morasses intervene, or
Hood, or fire is in their course, there shall
be no turning aside from the direct path.
1t .prides itself upon consistency. This
word has been its rallying cry-its shib-
boleth; the sine qua non of loyalty to the
party. Not taking its lesson from 'the
plant reed which bends before the blast,p
to resume its position when the storm is
over. changing its position with changing
circumstances; they wish to initiate
"the giant oak which disdains to bend. >,
though 'ft is cast headlong to the ground,
and blocks up the road.
The successful mariner keeps his eve
on the port, but deyiates from a direct
line to avoid quicksands or whirlpools
which intervene. The skilIful mechanic
when he finds he has failed in accomplish
ing his purpose by the means he first en-
pioyed, resorts to Others. If the weight
Is too great to be overcome with the ordi-
nary pulley and tackle, he does not hesi-
tate to add the screw, or lever and per.
haps both.
what impropriety in politics to adapt
our means to the end to be attained, pro-
vided we do not deviate from PRINCIPLE
at Grasshopper falls last September the
great argument against engaging in the
October election was the solemn resolves
we had made against engaging in any
election under bogus authority. Gen.
Lane suggested that we had Job to do.
and 1t could only be done by passing
through filth. The voting policy pre-
vailed, and right triumphed over wrong,
and through that triumph we were ena-
oied to place ourselves properly before
the country, and On the record, and our
subsequent triumphs are all owing to that
very proper decision arrived at at that
time, and against which our consistent
politicians" as they call themselves. took
such q violent position.
These same men begged and impor-
tuned the Free State men, for conssstencg's
sake, to keep out of the election on the
4th of January. Why We had sworn
upon the altars of our country, and before
high heaven, at a convention in Lawrence
on the I'd of December, that we would
have nothing to do with the Lecompton
Constitution; that to get offices under it
would give the lie to our past action,
would be moral perjury, aad men who
were never known to speak the truth were
talking about their plighted honors which
would be sacrificed should We engage in
that election. In defiance of these men
the PEOPLE participated in that election
and TRIUaPHED.
These same Consistent politieianse ara
now making war upon the voters. the
men of action. and declaring that uron the
happening of a certain contingency GER
tain thing shall not be done. These men
are men of great noise. The jug, nearly.
empty, makes more sound in yoiding ifs
contents than does the full jug. This
same class of politicians have made them
selves Indications for years BY their pro-
fsssions. We reeollect the fiery resolves
they have passed at our political gather
ings. and the reader will call to mind thai
these same saea soere ai,eays The tiyst toleape
ase territory iuaen the hour ef danger arrsred.
Why asey must go to the States for vol
nnseers, for guns, or something of tha.
sorE Or they were in personal danger.
and must needs seek safety in retirement
We say IN all truthfnlness, and could. if
we desired, furnish names aud living wit
nesses IN proof of our allegations, that
these sbiood and thunder men, sailing
under the consistent politicians fiag.
and who are so sindictive upon all persons
who differ from them, were the tirst to fee
from the Territory in the hour of danger:
whilst those who had been iaboring 10
prevent collision, and to quiet the con-
tending elements, were those who were
compelled to bear the burden of the
Strife" which their opposers had kindled
into . fame And, ike men Of this
stamp generally. they would attempt to
falsily the facts. and charge those who
remained at their post with being the fee.
ing party.
The policy, then. IS We understand ii,
of the Free State party Of this Terr;korr