Freeman's champion., 1858-02-25

were in the majority, and the gov
ernment was allowed to exist. Their
constituents were willing to submit
Q this policy, for they had been per-
mitted to express their sentiments on
the question fairly, at the ballot-box.
The Legislature began to enact gem
eral laws. Its constituents were sat
isfed. 1t commenced the work Of
enacting special laws. Its constitu-
ents began to open their eyes, but
conceded. Finally they broached
the matter of removing the capital
from Lecompton. This was ventur-
ing shade to far THE people wan
ted 10 be consulted in a matter of such
import as this. They justly felt out
ragged, They entertained feelings Of
bitter antipathy against Lecompton,
and at the first opportunity they de-
signed designating, by their express
ions through the ballot box, point fol
locating the Territorial capital. They
were totally unprepared for the Leg
islature taking that matter exclusive
ly into their hands. What surprised
and chagrined them more was the
point selected for the location Of the
capital. Instead of Topeka, Manhat-
tan, Tecumseh or Council Grove,
whichtowns had for long time been
contcnding and held before the public
as candidates for the capital, they Sc
lected Minneola! situated at least
one hundred miles from the center OF
the Territory, and containing nothing
but prairie grass, hazle brush and
weeds mot a single house within
the town site, though comprising
about sirteen h@ndred acres of land.
Fraud, bribery and corruption were
apparent in the very face ofthe move
ment. The constituents Of the Leg
islature felt that they had been out
rageously betrayed, that their inter-
ests had been sacrificed to the advance
ment of the pecuniary interests of the
members of the Legislature.
For this reason do the people of
Kanzas and the Douglas Democrats
entertain similar emotions. Are not
their positions parallel ones?
The people know that the Legisla-
ture would, not have been SO disre-
gardful Of the interests of their con-
stituents, had they not been bribed
and bartered, but as yet most ofthem,
probably, are unapprised as to the
means employed to effect this cor
ruption. We pretend to have some
lightin the. matter, and those Of our
readers who peruse this article will
be informed of oil that we know on
the subject. The statements we make
are facts, and We are prepared to back
them by satisfactory Evidence.
Several months ago, few shrewd
money-making schemers (the names
Of whom we could mention, but for
bear so to do for certain rOasons) con-
ceived the idea of purchasing land in
the vicinity Of CGntropolis for the
purpose Of securing the location q
that point of the Territorial capital.
Their first movement in the matter
was TO obtain the assistance and CO.
operation Of the leaders and most
influential members Of the Free State
party. This effected, they then COM
menced operating with the members
Of the Legislature, upon its conven-
ingat the extra session. Every mem
ber that bribery could move was ap-
preached, and finally they succeeded,
by giving them stockholderS' interests,
in securing the support Of every Free
State member ofMat body sgiM tho er-
ceptiOn cfeightl Praying men, relig-
iouS men, Ministers of tho gospel, and
Others whom their constituents sup
posed to be incorruptible, yielded to
the scductions Of Mammon, and de-
scended to tho ignominious position
Of their predecessors. Their next
move was to hush tho voice Of the