The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-04-23
For tas R.rard gEes5om.
BIG SPRINGS, K. T., April 20, 1859.


Ed. HERALD OF FREEDOM Nothing
but a sense of duty. as one of the people
and . deep conviction of the righteous
ness of the great cause which has enlisted
the support and sympathy, not only of
the friends Of freedom in Kansas, but
throughout the civilized world, induces
me thus to enter my protest against the
organization Of the Osawatomie National
Republican Party of Kansas.
In September, 1855, at Big Springs, the
great body of the citizens of Kansas, with
out distinction of party, in order to accom-
plish great end for the common good,
organized the Free State Party. Laying
aside all party feelings and prejudices, and
being actuatsd by feelings a-cousin to
those of our Revolutionary Fathers, they
entered into a solemn covenant to know
no party, to rally around no banner, but
that of the Free State party, and to stand
by the principles they then aud there
published to the world, until their rights,
as American citizens, were respected, and
Kansas admitted into the sisterhood of
sovereign States. Every shade of politi-
cal opinion was there represented, and
after one of the most exciting and warm
contests ever witnessed in Kansas, they
adopted platform of principles with un-
paralleled unanimity. Little, indeed, was
it then anticipated, that any of the lead
ing spirits Of that convention would, upon
the eve of final triumph of the party,
issue call for convention to organize
the Republican party, and thus violate
their most solemn pledges, and present
new issues as test of fidelity to the cause
of freedom. AS climax to their utter
Inconsistency, they now propose to put q
squstter sovereign plank in their plat
form. Or rather, to adopt the Philadel-
phia Platform, with catch-vote resolu-
ton attached. Let US see how the two
planks would look in the creed of the
same party: -e
"Resolrei, That the Constitution con-
fers upon Congress sovereign power over
the Territories of the United States for
their government, and that in the exercise
of this power, it is both the right and the
imperative duty of Congress to prohibit, in
the Territories, those twin relics of bar
barism-Polygamy and Slavery"
4" Resolved, That we recognize the right
of the people ofall the Territories, includ-
ing those of Kansas and Nebraska, acting
through the legally and fairly expressed
will of a majority of actual residents, to
regulate their domestic institutions in
their own way, subject only to the Con-
stitution of the United States to frame q
constitution, with or without slavery, and
be admitted into the Union upon perfect
equality with the other States"
This may do to ease the nerves of the
tender footed, and secure the support Of
Free State Democratic Office seekers, but
am inclined to think that the people will
not swallow the bait. The idea is toe
absurd-the trick too patent.
To organize the Republican party il
Kansas, and put into its platform squat
ter sovereign plank, is simply but apre
meditated design, to cheat the people, int
execution.
Political parties, above all other asso
Citations of men, should be fair and homes
in their open avowal of principles. T,
secure the ascendency of any party b.
false lights or feigned issues, is one of tn,
greatest crimes capable of being committed
against responsible governments snc
against the liberties of American citizens
OF this fact, we have an apt illustration il
the utter abandonment, by the Nationa
Democracy, of their avowed doctrine, ant
the results which followed. 1t is to,
much the practice of our political leader
and platform makers, to deceive the peo
pie by laying down some popular planl
on which to carry the masses, and at tn,
same time conceal from them their tru
designs. If Republican party must b
organized, let us have the pure, unadul
terated thing itself. can see no sense
whatever, in leaving the Free State party
which was formed by compromises and
union of different elements, to orgsniz
the Republican party upon the same plan
1 cannot comprehend how the leaders il
the Republican movement can have tn
face to ask the members of the Free Stat
party, entertaining other than Republican
views, to accept their proffered compro
!, mises, after their fagrant violation Q
: plighted faith. FREE STATE.