The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1858-06-05
For. Scot, Dimenlaes.

We have an honest statement in regard
to the origin of the difficulties on the Bi.
Sugar and Usage. from source that car
be strictly relied upon. Montgomery, in
his contest with the pro-slayery party
about Fort Scott, heard that the pro-slaye.
~ men living on the Usage, were threat
ening to rise in arms, and make an on
slaugbt upon him. Apprehensive that
his hands might be more than full, If at
tackled in front and rear at the same mo-
ment, he resolved to clear out the pro.
slavery party on the Usage and Bic
Sugar Creeks. For the accomplishment of
this object, notices were served upon the
pro-slavery men to leave the TERRITORY
within given time. In the meantime
their houses were plundered, and fired
frequently, and their horses were stolen.
Exaggerated stories were told of the ex-
cesses committed by Montgomery's men.
The result was, that a large number of
families left the county, and spread the
most horrible reports of the outrages COM
mitted upon them by Free State men,
through the border of Missouri, many of
which reports, we have no doubt, were
too true.
as might be expected, the thieves and
murderers left in the vicinity by Buford,
joined the other vicious individuals al
ready along the border, plunged into the
county, and committed those awful crimes
which are now lashing the county into
fury.
While no circumstances can justify, or
even extenuate the savageism of Hansa-
ton, Brocket 3 Co., yet we feel that the
weight of honest indignation cannot be
turned too powerfully upon Montgomery,
who must share in the odium attached to
those crimes. The FIVE wounded men and
the families of like number, whose hus-
bands and protectors were so cruelty MUIR
dered, and the whole community who were
shocked at the recital of those events,
while they should not abate one iot of
their determination to bring the ima,edi-
ate authors Of these crimes to punishment
should not forget to look beyond these,
and mete out merited punishment to those
who were indirectly the cause of the pres
ent agitation.
We are aware that many good men are
apolosists for Montgomery and his band,
but we do not believe that any apology is
due them. 1t is probable that some OF
Montgomery's men were actuated by hon
orable intentions, as it is believed Mont
gomery was in the first instance, but they
have pushed matters too far, and must be
responsible for these excuses.
It must be told, to Montgomery's cred
it. that he has expelled several thieves
from his gang, men who were tooloose for
LILO e@ooOSiotiOH- LUZ was IiUI GilS lUIEu0E re-
sponsible, morally and legally, for their
guilt? If he throws protection to-day
around crime, and justifes it, what argu-
ment will be used to-morrowto prevent
repetition of it under similar circumstan-
ces. Montgomery may decide to-day
thatthe circumstances justify the robbing
of men-another party will justify it to-
morrow, and thus we pass on until the
whole country is involved in strife. We
to the laws for our protection, |
and to that only. While at times we may |
feel justly incensed against individuals or
communities, for wrongs perpetrated upon
us, yet the law is the only shield we can
rely upon in every emergency, and it is to
that tribunal we hope Montgomery, Ham
ilton, Brocket & Co., will be brought. To
that end the whole force of government |
should be brought into requisition, if nee
essary.