The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-08-27
IndRA Iahnaion.

Judgs Johnston
On our first trip to Kansas, up the Mis-
souri, river, in the fall of 1854, we made
the acquaintance Of Hon. SANDERS W. |
JOHNSTON. He was then on his way to |
the Territory from Ohio, to assume the
duties Of his Office, as one of the federal |
judges; We TO establish the HERALD OF
FREEDoh, and to aid in making Kansas q
free State. It was but natural that we
should each desire an acquaintance with
the other. A long interview followed.
We learned that he was sincerely desirous
Of seeing Kansas a free State, and though
he had no intention of polluting the ju-
dicisl ermine by interfering in politics,
yet BY vote and counsel he would do
what he could towards engrafting free in
stitutions upon the Territory. He gave
us many practical suggestions in regard
to the proper way Of getting control of
the Territorial government, and welding
it for freedom-suggestions which have
not at any time been lost sight of in our
protrscted struggle.
When the other federal judges issued
their dictG, in the summer Of 1855, from
the Shawnee Manual Labor School, in
which they sustained the legality of the
first Border Rutian Legislature, then in
session, Judge JOHNSTON entered his SOL
Onn protest against the act, and declared
it ian unhsard-of usurpation of judicial
power"
For refusing to join in the crusade
against Gov. REEDEB, and Withholding
his assent to that decision, he was re-
moved from Office, though another pretert
was urged as the cause.
The Big Springs Convention assembled
on the 9th Of September, 1856. It was
composed Of the best talent of the Terri.
tory, the design of which was to unite the
Free State element and devise means to
Circumvsnt the Border Rufian Legislature
Of that year. Judge JOHNSTON was in
attendance, and every person there will
recall with heartfelt pleasure his stirring
speech on the occasion. With earnest
ness, he exposed the frauds accomplished
and projected upon the Free State party
and gave them wholesome counsel in re.
gard to their duty. The welkin was vo.
cal with applause from the hundreds in
attendance, while he portrayed with liv.
ing eloquence final triumph over the
foes Of freedom, and the establishment oil
Q great State here, which should &C
knowledge the truths OF the Declaration
Of Independence, and which should no,
recognize the institution of slavery. He
did not indorse q portion of the pro.
gramme there adopted, and warned the
Convention Of the consequences if that
line of policy should be pursued.
1t was that unwise programme, ther
adopted, which Judge JOHNSTON opposed
and which came near defeating the Free
State party, and wrecking all its hopes o.
making Kansas free State. We alludt
to the policy of voting at an election moi
known to law, keeping wholly aloof from
the recognized government, and setting
up another government unknown in it.
stead. Had the counsels of Judge JOHN.
sroN prevailed in that Convention, our
difficulties would probably never hav.
assumed such serious aspect, and would
have been terminated at least one yea
earlier.
When the Leconpton Swindle hsd
raised its hydra head, Judge Johnston
again made his appearance, and welded
ell his influence, socially and politically
to defeat it. His opposition was not {
silent one, scarcely felt at home or abroad
but active, thorough. and he left no hon
orable means unemployed to defeat tn,
Scoundrelism of that instrument He wa.
the chairman of large and enthusiastic
Convention held in Lsavenworth on tn,
9th Of December, 1857, which repudiateG
the Constitution, and BY resolutions, apc
amemorial to Congress, did much tovardl
putting Hon. 9. A. Douglas and othe
prominent Democratic statesmen right OF
that question.
The only way we can account for th,
statements of the Laurence Republican
LeovesrOrtA Times and Freedoms Cham
Pion, that Johnston has done notain,
worthy Of consideration since be has beer
In Kansas" is by knowing the fact tha
they were not residents of Kansas in tn,
hour of her greatest peril; that, in short
they wish ITO reap where they have no
soWn."
A Thief Arrested.
The Bates county (Mo.) Standard an
nouness the arrest of Q thief, who wa
taken to Pappinville, where he made