The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-08-14

Letter from Mr. Tsppan.
LAWRENoE. AUG. 6th. I85s

Oh tHo aimcuiIieS IN SOuthern hanSaS.
think the subject is getting somewhat
stale, and regret exceedingly that allu-
sion should be made to me in such a
manner as to demand reply.
In the letter referred to. Gov. R. says:
Mr.. Whitney and myself were the only
members of the committee of citizens of
Lawrence in the delegation" The fact
of my having appended note to the re-
port by Gov. Robinson, Gas appeared in
the Lawrence Republican, "as a member
of the committee appointed to accompany
Gov. Denvef," it would naturally appear
to conflict with the assertion of Gov. Rob-
inson, and convey the impression that l
was acting without authority. Nothing
but the fear of such an imputation, would
be sufficient for me to reply. The cir
cumstance of the formation of the COM
mittee alluded to, are as follows: At
meeting of the citizens of Lawrence, held
on the 10th of May, it was "Resolved, that
a committee Of conference, consisting of
fifteen, be appointed to cooperate with
Messrs. Read and Hairgrove, (who were
wounded in the Linn county massacre,)
in securing the prompt action of the Gov
ernor, and to obtain that justice and pro-
lection which they seek for their perse-
cuted and oppressed friends" The above
committee conferred with Gov. Denver,
who desired that they would appoint
d committee to accompany him to the
scene of difficulties. In conformity with
this desire, they met at the Eldridge
House on the Sth of June, and there
appointed, as said committee, Gov Robin
son, E. B. Whitman, Esq, Mr. Deitzler,
C. W. Babcock, T. L. Whitney, Coe,
Blood and Lewis n. Tappan. Of this
number, ouly Gov. Robinson, Mr. Whit
ney, and myself found it convenient to
perform the duties assigned. Il will be
observed that l was hot appointed Oh the
committee of coBferebce," but as one O
The committee to accompany Gov. Deh-
ver. Now, who Is expected to report OF
the difficulties at the Sjulh? Is 1t the
c"mmittee of conference, Or is 1t the com
mittee appointed TO visit that portion ol
the country Ii the latter, why does
Gov Robinson say that "Mr. Whitney
aud himself were the only members o.
the citizens OF Lawrence i'll the delega
tion." Thinking it might be an over
sight of his, asked him If he did no,
err in his statement? He answered, he
thought not; that as l was not appointed
by the first committee, i. e., the commit
tee of conference, had no authority to
report. If Gov. Robinson thought had
no more authority to act than Mr.. Rich
ardson or Mr. Babb, who accompanied us,
why did he not procure their signatures
to the report? If he did not think l was
authorized to act in that capacity, why
did he call me into the Whitney House
and, after reading the report, ask me if |
had any objections to signing it? Why
did he, with Mr.. Babb, spend nearly half
an hour in trying to obtain my endorse
ment? If he did not regard me as one
of the committee, why did he make an
alteration in his report as an inducement
for me to sign it? The alteration alluded
to, is as follows: The original letter. in
allusion to Sheriff Walker, read: "After
arresting G. w. Clark, has posse stole the
horse of the county clerk, and made
a present of it to Capt. Montgomery, who
is now at large, riding said horse" Ire
fused to endorse report charging an
esteemed and efficient officer with horse
stealing, when l was fully convinced by
residents in Fort Scott and vicinity, that
he was not in any way connected with
the capture of said horse, which took place
a few miles out of Fort Scott. The COM
promise made by the alteration of the
charge against Sheriff Walker, 1 did not
deem sufficient to exculpate him. |
maintained that the inference to be drawn
by the public is that the horse was stolen,
or taken, if you please, by Sheriff Walker,
and the new version is evasive, that it
left a loophole through which those max
ing the charge could crawl. Gov. Rob
inson says, "Mr. Tappan admitted that
the report was truthful with that excep
ton, but did not like to sign it as a ''y.sd,
cal,,' what he meant l do not know" IAc-
knowledge that were it not for the charge,
or iusinuation, against Sheriff W., l should
have signed it, principally for the purpose
OF avoiding any controversy or i'll feeling
with Gov. Robinson. In doing so, how
ever, I should have felt some compunc-
tions. l could not strongly object to the
literal meaning of each isolated sentence,
but when taken en- nsasse an impression
would be given, which I consider unjust
to the Free State party in southern KAN
sas. The objection was more on the
ground of emission than commission
Like Gov. Robinson, / arn quite oblivious
to my meaning when objected to sign
it as radical" If / used that expires
sion, it was said in sarcasm in reply to Mr..
Babb, who said l was too radical, and
ought to be more conservative and ac-
knowledge the faults of our party.
think we have faults enough of our own |
to answer for, without assuming those of
Others.
I might refer to the true position of Mr.. |