The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-02-06
e.v.-,s- Of Michigan.

Gov. BHeHAM, IN his late message to
the Legislature of Michigan. thus speaks
of Kansas
Tn nv message of. January last, had
the honor of calling your attention to the
condition of those of our citizens VINO nad
emigrated to Kansas for the purpose OF
finding home, and of cooperating with
the friends of liberty in prohibiting the In
PRODUCTION and establishment Of human
slavery in that great Territory-they had,
for nearly two years, been exposed 10 the
persecution and yiolence of an infuriated
ruffian mob, who, instigated By the slave
newer of the country, crossed into Kansas
| from the State of Missouri, and drove
| them from their homes-burned their
houses. plundered their effects, destroyed
their property, presses, and murdered
many of the people. Others were seized
and arraigned before the Courts Of the
Territory and subjected to chains and i'm
nrisonment. under the pretext that for
seeking peaceably to establish free institu-
tions thew were guilty of treason against
the Constitution and government of the
United States. During this long and un-
eoual struggle, the United States Govern
ment to whom the people had right to
look as their natural and constitutional
ousrdiar, with a full knowledge of the
facts. made public by an official investi-
cation of Congress, shamelessly lent its
aid and sympathy to the oppressors.
Iii no matter of wonder that the bar
barities practiced there, and the culpable
conduct of the government, should have
excited the indignant feelings OF the peo-
ple in the free States, and throughout
/ 1christendom, and voluntary contributions
to very large amount were freely made
and forwarded to sustain. those who had
thus been reduced by cruel treatment, to
want and starvation.
Partaking in the general syMpathy, and
/ anxious that the archives of the State
should contain the earnest and solemn
protest of the people against the repeal OF
the Missouri Compromise, and the subse-
| duent acts by which slavery was sought to
tbe introduced into Kansas, the Legislature
appropriated "ten thousand dollars for the
aid and relief of emigrants from the State
of Michigan to the Territory, to be drawn
! for that purpose, at the direction of the
Governor After becoming satisfied OF
1.-THE necessity of the people by an extern
sive correspondence, and having received
the offer of the National Kansas Commit
tee, to disburse the money under my dl-
rection, without expense to the State, l
Transmitted to the Secretary of that Com
mittee one thousand dollars, to be ex-
pended exclusively in the purchase OF
seeds, to be distributed among the neces-
sitous Michigan emigrants. have re-
ceived from Mr.. 81. B.. Hurd, the Secreta-
lry of the Committee at Chicago, his re-
port. attached to which is the report OF
| Mr.. E. B. Whitman, sub-agent in Kansas,
with vouchers for the distribution of the
seeds, which satisfy me that the expendi-
ture was Justly and properly made. !
have also received numerous letters from
Michigan emigrants, and others, express
ing their JOY and thankfulness at the great
J relief thus afforded.
The atrocious attempt to extend and
perpetuate Slavery in Kansas, through
the influence and agency of the Govern
ment of this Union, which was founded
''to establish justice, and secure the bless
ings of liberty" will constitute one of the
darkest chapters in our history, and has
only been thwarted by the Jealous efforts
and sacrifices of the people In the free
States, in which enr Own has borne an
honorable aud conspicuous part.