The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-12-18
Border RuManiGrn:

We publish, on our fourth page, the
proceedings of what purports to be
meeting held at Mound City, in Linn
county, on the 9th inst, in regard to the
difficulties in that locality. Were there
not responsible names connected with it,
we should suppose it was an attempt to
sell the Lawrence papers," and still we
are more than half inclined to believe it
is movement of Pro-Slsvery men to
place Free State men in the shameful cat
egory which they occupied in 1856. In
deed we cannot see the difference between
the resolutions adopted at that professed
"Mass Meeting" and those which were
adopted by Pro-Slavery men in that year,
with the exception that the parties are
reversed.
The first "Article" of the agree
ment F." is worthy of Border Rufianism in
its palmiest days -
Art. LIST. All criminal process against any
and all Free State men, for any action of
theirs previous to this date, growing out
of the difficulties heretofore existing be-
tween the Free State and Pro-slavery
parties, shall be forever discontinued and
quashed.
The second article is like the first re-
leasing all Free State men now held in
confinement for any past offences. Alter
having entered nOlle proseqai against all
Free State men, the Slavery men are
banished from the Territory.
Such proceedipgs may restore that era
Of good feeling" but we have little faith
in them, come from what party they may.
1t looks to us that, if the movement was
a genuine one, the parties were bidding
high for another Chotteau Trading Post
affair. 1t is contrary to human nature to
remain passive in view of such action by
a political party. If Pro-Slavery men
are guilty of attractions of the law, with
Free State Sheriffs and Juries, and strong
popular sentiment to back them up, they
can be punished. And if Free State men
have been guilty of outrages upon Pro-
Slavery men, in view of the fact that the
power of enforcing the laws is in the
hands of Free State men, they, too, should
be punished. The case is quite different
from what it was in 1856. Then officers
who were appointed by body foreign to
us, were in command, and Pro- Slavery
man could not be punished in the Courts
or agreeably to law. Our people took the
redress of their grievances into their own
hands, and in doing so we sustained them
If Free State men will not punish Free
State men who are guilty of theft, rob.
berry and arson, we will not blame Pro
Slavery men for taking the redress into
their own hands, as did the Free State
men in 1856.
But, as we said at setting out, the pre-
tended compromise is hoar, and as sucl
it should be treated, else it comes from {
class of men whose actions show that they
sympathize with Free State men who art
guilty of robbery, theft and violence
Such compromises with crime will no
stand the test of investigation, and mus
be repudiated as unworthy of Free State
men. The proceedings of that professeC
meeting will be copied far and wide by
those papers unfriendly to the Freedom
of Kansas, and with all sensible men il
will prejudice our cause; but let thu
world understand that if it is genuine, il
comes from that radical wing of the Fret
State party which refused to participate
in our elections, and of which the Law
renee Republican is the organ and moutl
piece. The editor of that journal, it it
issue of Thursday, thus endorses the &C
ton of that "Border Ruffian" Conven
ton -
We are most heartily rejoiced to plac'
the following letter before our readers. l
/ fully sustains the view we have been com
PEELED to take of the late difficulties il
Linn County. The present agreemen
places the matter on the right basis. Now
lei it be fully lived up to, and these south
ern difficulties will entirely cease.
at fully sustains the view which W
have been compelled to take" and ale
it be fully lived up to-" Worthy G
Thacher, a theological student, and
protested Christian Good God, delive
us from such sympathy with crime an
, violence, let it cost US what it will.