The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-02-05

age, Old John Brown, with party OF men,
went over into Missouri and brought
away ten or twelve slaves, number oil
horses and considerable amount ofprop-
erty. During the expedition his men
killed two or three residents of Missouri.
A few nights ago DR.. John boy and his
son, of this to,cn, and his friend Clough,
were intercepted on the north side OF the
Kansas. few miles from Lawrence, by
party of men from this vicinity, aided
probably by an equal number of men from
Missouri, and, together with thirteen ne
groes whom boy and his party were con-
Quoting by the U. G. R. R. to Nebraska,
were forcibly taken across the Missouri,
and upon pretended examination before
Justice of the Peace, boy and his son
were committed to prison in the Platte
county Jail, where, in default of 5000
bail, they remain, charged with stealing
negroes from Missouri. No one here sup
poses that either Of the prisoners actually
committed any crime in the State of Mis-
souri,, and unless unnecessary excitement
shall cause excuses to be committed
there, they are safe and their discharge
but question of time dependent upon
evidence. 1t is premature for the Gov
ernor of Kansas to demand their release,
and the most expeditions way for their
friends to test the matter, will be by Ha-
Jeas Corpus. on application to either of
the Judges of the Supreme Court of Mis-
souri,. The prisoners would then proba-
bly, be taken to JeffersoR6ty and have a
speedy examination, unMnuenced by the
excitement in Platte county. Unless le-
gally detained, the Judges of the Su-
preme Court of Missouri would not jeop-
ardize their regulations by recommitting
them. Why not try that course and send
counsel to aid them? The excitement
on their behalf might safely be moderated.
Again,-a few nights ago "Old John
Brown" and two or three assistants, to-
gether with ten negroes, was intercepted
by party of men on the North side of
the Kansas, a few miles from Lecompton,
and at last accounts had entrenched HIM
self some fifteen or twenty miles farther
on, viz, on Cedar Creek lear Holton, in
log house, where he was beseiged, &C
cording to report, by considerable body
of men. Both parties sent runners to this
and other parts of the Territory for rein
forcements. Deputy Marshal Colby was
sent by the Governor with posse of men
to prevent an unlawful attack upon
Browns party, and arrest and bring him
here for trial. A few troops were also
sent to aid the civil authority and prevent
a collision. The expedition has not since
been heard from. OF course rumors are
in circulation, but nothing further is de-
fnitely known.
Now strip the facts of all coloring and
collaterals, and what foundation have the
agitators and their dupes for such Excess
sive manifestations of zeal ? We cannot
believe that the honest, sober minded
men of the Territory will sanction the
policy endeavored to be inaugurated by
individuals. There is no issue upon which
a new crusade can be maintained in our
Territory. The mass of the Pro- Slavery
men of '56 have disappeared. Our pop
ulation has increased by accessions of
thousands of good and true men who are
seeking to secure homes for themselves
and families. The slavery issue is dead.
Kansas in due time will become Free
State, and our citizens now, without ref
erence to political antecedents, combine
for the accomplishment of that object.
Peace and quietness are essential to the
prosperity of the settlers of Kansas.
Every excitement,-eyery breach Of law
only depreciates the value of property
and thus far Injuries every settler. Let
every man who desires the peace and
prosperity of Kansas, aid in discountenanc-
ing agitation as we'll as every infraction
of law; let every offence be punished as
provided by law; let every citizen Of
Kansas remain upon and maintain the
integrity of Kansas soil, and we are con-
fident that the rights and interests of all
will be protected and maintained. The
Governor is doing all that his official
powers will permit, to carry into effect the
wishes of the people, and he relies upon
the people to aid him in maintaining
peace and order. We have reason to be-
lieve that short time will suffice to en-
tighten the people as to the causes of the
present attempt to get up an excitement,
and show how futile is the effort. Even
Captain Montgomery has surrendered and
is now here awaiting trial; and it is under
stood that some two hundred of his for
mer retainers are now on their way to
this city for the purpose of giving them
selves up, and by legal defence, vindi-
eating themselves from any charges that
may be allyed against them. We are
assured that the Governor will omit moth
ing that right and justice will warrant,
to redress the wrongs of the people Of
Southeastern Kansas, and place upon
them, as citizens, the responsibility of
enforcing the law and preserving the
public peace.
OF Sharps' Rifles are manufactured,
we believe, at Hartford, Conn. The rife
is sold at about $40 apiece. The carbine