The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1859-08-20
VIM, ar. W. ceu.sr 70,

Whaf are We Coming Tog
The New York papers predict another
commercial crash, a. the consequences Of
excessive importations Of goods from Eu-
rope. and the fall in the price Of grain
The hope of freedom from debt through
the West and North west, rested with the
growing crops. If Heaven smiled upon
the farmer and blessed him with boun.
teous harvest Of cereal grains, he could
liquidafe his debts to the mechanic and
merchant, and roll of the heavy load of
interest which was weighing him down;
the West cnuld iiquidate its debts to the
East, the East pay up its European in
debtedness. The crops have been fair.
but the sudden close of the European war
has deranged commercial calculations
Tne low price of grain puts of the liqu-
dstion of debts, aud even bankruptcy
stares in the face the mechanic and mer.
chant, and spectators on borrowed cap.
ital. In speculative Chicago, unusual
cauiiousness is advised in financial yen-
lures. Everywhere economy is cutting
down expenses to the lowest figure.
What is rule for the States, is no less
necessity in Kansas. We are told that
"our people must pay grievous taxes, be
burdened with an appalling interest on
money, ard year after year see their hard
earnings-the sweat of the brows. the toll
Of their hands-fow into the hands of
Eastern capitalists to pay the interest on
the money with which they pre- mpted."
Certainly, with such a state Of monetary
oppression staring the people of Kansas
in the face, any true friend of the people
should have taken every possible pains to
relieve them from the effects of this crisis.
II is matter Of extreme doubt whether
the people are able to withstand the great
increase of taxes which must ensue if a
change is made from Territorial to a
State government
So far from giving due weight to this,
the very men who are now painting such
a scene of despair in Kansas, are those
who have been urging on the organization
Of State government, and now defend
the Constitution which provides berths
for a horde of office seekers, as "exactly
adapted to the wants of the people of
Kansas"
just as We are becoming acquainted
with our present code, it is to be cast aside
and a new one enacted. This involves a
long session Of the first State Legislature,
the expenses Of which cannot be far below
800 600, especially if expenses are paid
10 State scrip, and bills doubled to meet its
depreciation from par value. The ex.
penses Of the State government will not
fall below $4,000 the first year. True,
bonds can be issued to the extent of 81.
600 600, with which to carry on the Safe
government, build State buildings, g.;
but the interest on these bonds must be
met annually, which Mill impose an ad.
ditional burden on the State OF 100000
yearly, for interest.
The population of the Territory is now
probably not over 5000. Let the CRY of
heavy taxes be raised, and emigration will
pass to other Territories or States. Emi-
grants desire to avoid high taxes and
rulnous rate Of interest. The Republican
Constitution of Kansas guarantees them
the first, and has left the door open for
the last. Not only will emigration give
us the go-by, but capital will not seek an
Investment here, to be subject to oppres-
sive taxation. Spectators, who wish to
secure shylock rates of interest, may send
money here to be loaned on usury but
those desiring to invest in substantial i'm
provements, railroads, &c, will seek more
favorable points for the uss of their
funds.
True, the Wyandott Convention have.
in their wisdom, been so modest as to
merely ask Congress to pay the Terrific
rial debt. but have not made that psv.
ment condition precedent for admission,
nor, as they tell US, obligated the prospec-
tive State to assume it. They tell the
people to vote for the Constitution or they
will never see one cent of that indebted
ness.
This argument, by which they attempt
to compel every man in Kansas, who
holds Territorial scrip ofany kind, to vote
for the Constitution, is in keeping with
the acts of partisan demagogues who
would "rule or ruin" Their zeal for of.
fee seeking has led them to peril every
just claim held by citizens of Kansas
against the Territorial government. The
people will not suffer this wrong for the |
purpose Of Saving Kansas" for the exclu. |
sive benefit OF Republican partisans.
"Rspudiating The Faith Of Its own Party"
aft thew fthe D,mocratsl c,nld hara