The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-02-20

Mr.. SPEAKER The minority OF tht
select committee to whom was referred
the Joint resolution on the subject of an
nexing to, the Territory of Kansas all
that portion of the Territory of NebFasks
lying south of the Platte river, asks leave
to make the following
REPORT:
It is matter of great regret to the un-
designed that this subject had not been
presented at an earlier day, for the consid-
Grafton of this body. It is question oi
great importance, and more time should
have been employed in its discussion than
can now be allowed. At no time after
the adjournment of this Legislative As
sembly, probably, win it be practicable to
refer the question, however needful OF
proper upon more mature reflection, il
may seem to be. There is constitution
already presented to Congress for its ac-
ceptance, for the State of Kansas, which
defines and permanently fixes its bounda-
ries. 1t may or may not receive that con-
firmation of Congress necessary to make
it the organic law of the State. If it
should be received, the question of annex
alton is, without doubt, formally settled.
Should Congress refuse to accept the Le-
compton Consultation, the propriety and
expediency of such step must be deter
mined by this Legislative Assembly.
The undersigned therefore urges upon
this House a careful and unpreiudiced
consideration of the reasons which have
forced Rim to differ from the majority Of
your Committee.
The Territory of Kansas is embraced
within the parallels of SO and 400 north
latitude, which constitutes its entire
breadth north and south. The State OF
Missouri exceeds this Territory in its
breadth about forty miles on the south
and about sixty on the north, making in
the aggregate border excess of one hun
dred miles. It needs no argument to show
that Kansas, within its present restricted
limits, must sooner or later be overshad-
owed by Missouri. The mighty power OF
that commonwealth is yet latent, and her
immense resources are as yet in state oi
incipient development. The influence oil
contact with a free State will kindle the
spirit of enterprise in her people, and her
progress in political and material power
will be rapid. Are the people of Kansas
ready to acknowledge dependence upon
and pay tribute to Missouri ? Do they
desire to build up a commonwealth which
will be inferior in influence and power to
her neighbors ? 1t must be remembered
that that portion of Kansas which will
he ftor 1a int ia
extensive as either of the States of Illi-
nois, Michigan, Missouri, Iowa, or Wis
consin. Although the western boundary
of Kansas now is the eastern boundary Of
New Mexico, which is distant from its
eastern boundary about 14o, yet when
the boundaries of the State of Kansas are
to be fixed, the western boundary Thereof
will not exceed in distance four degrees
from its eastern limits. The necessity Of
thus limiting the extent of Kansas east
and west, arises from the fact that at the
distance of two hundred miles from the
eastern boundary the country becomes
sterile aud barren. The addition of that
portion of Nebraska Territory contemp-
lated in the resolution, would increase our
eastern border about seventy miles, and
thus make the fertile portion of Kansas
about equal in extent with the neighbor-
ing States. Thus it seems there can be
no reason for objection to the expansiol
of our territory on the north, on account
of its present size. A glance at the mar
will demonstrate beyond doubt that the
Platte river is the natural boundary be.
tween Kansas and Nebraska. The boun.
daries as fixed in the organic act, destroyed
the proportion between the two Terrific.
ries. While Kansas is confined in width
to three degrees of latitude, Nebrasks
stretches north from the northern bounda.
~ of Kansas to the forty-ninth degree oi
latitude, making the eastern border oil
that Territory nine degrees in length
The undersigned is of opinion that the
Platte river would have been originally
fixed as the northern boundary of Kansas
had it not been the purpose Of the origi-
majors of the Kansas Nebraska bill to
make Kansas slave State. The inten-
ton was very apparent, to so limit this
Territory north and south, as to give to
Missouri the sole dictation and control oi
the domestic institutions of Kansas.
The country south of the Platte rivel
is unsurpassed by any in the Union, fol
fertility and mineral richness and resourc.
es. And while the material strength oI
Kansas would be greatly augmented by
the extension of her jurisdiction over it
her political power would also be in.
creased by the incorporation of hardy
intelligent and enterprising people, into
one body polite.
The objection to the annexation which
has been so frequently urged of late, thai
adding Territory to the north of Kansa:
would be likely to result in the subdiyi.
sion of southern Kansas, for the interest.
of slavery, is in the highest degree non.
sensical. The undersigned has too much
respect for the intelligence and good sense
of the majority of the Committee, to sup
pose that they were for moment seriou:
In urging that as an objection. Wert
Kansas admitted into the Union with he
northern boundary as proposed and hel
southern boundary as it now is, it is no
possible that any one would be guilty o
the absurdity of snpposing that the Ere,
State men of Kansas would then g.
through thesolenin form Of changing thei
Constitution, and granting and donatin;
to the Shareholder, their heirs and assign
forever, the most beautiful and fertile por
| ton of their Territory to aid in the for
nation of slave State. When peopl
have purchased freedom and free iDstitu
tons as dearly as have the people of Kan