The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-02-13


The following letter. though never de-
signed for the public eye, deserves prom
inent place in our columns, as shadowiDg
the position of s. d. HoUsToN. ESD, of
Manhattan, its anthor. one of the oldest
Free State settlers in Kansas. a member
elected to the first Territorial Legislature,
but who resigned his seat because of the
border rufian character Of that body
His position has never been eguiyocal on
any of the great questions of the day
OF sterling chars cter, and decided ability,
it is proper his views should be under
stood. We trust he will excuse the lib
erty we have taken with his conespon-
denee:
MANHATTAN, Z, T.. Jan. 81, 1858.
G. w. BRowS, Eso.-DEAB SIR -
In reference to your policy
there can be no doubt It must triumph.
We need constant, vigilant action. What,
control the government of Kansas, and
vet not vote In Republican Govern
ment all agree to be ruled by the decision
of the ballot-box. The Constitution un-
der which we live is virtual contract
that the voters shall control. Legality may
not always be found side by side with
Justice, with right; but still if the law
making power enacts constitutional rules
who can say they are not legal? It mat
| tiers not whether few or many vote, the
| law is equally legal The no uoter has
agreed to be governed by those who do
Uote.
Whenever Republican people decide
not to vote, they should be ready for war.
Rebellion, revolution, war, war for human
rights shonld then be the watchword, the
means to the end. / am told that vot-
| ing will do no good, we shall be everrun
from other States. This is not certain
If so, we have right then to remon-
strate and if not then heard to rebel. If
we do not vote, then, we are without ex-
cuse. We may be overrun to be sure, but
with our own consent by Constitutional
contract. In the latter case we are with
out that excuse which obtains in the
former. In one case we authorize others
to make our laws for Us, while in the 9TH
er we do all we possibly can to elect our
rulers. If overrun then and no other
means are left to secure redress, then
are we justified in throwing off the Ty-
rants yoke. When the last effort has
been made that can be, then let the cry of
"to arms % wake the entire energies of
the freemen of Kansas. 1t will do to bat
tie for the right and overturn the wrong
when we have fulfilled all our own voting
contracts, but not before.
am extremely sorry that so many did
not vote at the last election, Tt places us
in very awkward position. We must
unite as one man and vote, if other States
interfere and Congress sustains the vile
wrong, and no means of redress is left in
the hands of the people, then will be the
moment for revolutioni Congress, ac-
cording to the Constitution of the q. S.,
has the right to make call needful rules
and regulations for the Territories."-
Should we be admitted under that most
infamous of all cheats, the Lecompton
Constitution, let US pause and carefully
weigh all the points before We plunge the
land into a civil war; especially is this
our duty if that instrument should pass in
modified form. Our fathers agreed to
allow Congress to select the rules for Ter
ritories, and we have confirmed their act /;
but neither of US have agreed to allow
Congress the right to decide our rules for
State. This right is ours. Let us as
sert it manfully, and while we are labor
| ing to secure it, at the same time let US
assure the Parent Government that Reyo-
luton is better than slavery.
Most Respectfully, &C.,
| s. D. HOUSTON.