The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-03-26

SdAuo3 H. AA@--%s
In the Republican of last week, there
appears, over the signature of J. H.. Lane,
an address "To the people of Kansas."-
This address has been printed in circular
form, with an "addenda" attached, and is
probably intended for distribution through
out the Territory. 1t purports to be re-
ply to resolution offered by Capt. HAM
ILToS, at meeting at Fort Scott, and is
labored defence Of his reputation and
character.
Among those who know him, and do
not sympathize in his crimes and ambi-
ton, whether in the Territory or not, it
will pass without credence or respect, and
be regarded as was the auto biography
the publication of which he was foolish
enough to commence, but, after advice,
wise enough to discontinue-in the light
of q comedy or joke.
We are glad that it has appeared, al
though lame and untruthful. 1t is graft
fying to see even this exhibition of feel
ing on his part, and know that he is con-
scious of the opinion of the community in
regard to him, and of their estimation Of
his crimes and character. Every word he
is compelled to speak or write in his de-
fence-every article which his organs pub
lish in his justification, whether covertly,
under the head of Persecution, its ef-
feet" or openly, when describing his
great success at some meeting, called to
organize the Republican party, gives to
the people so much evidence of the grow
ing security to human life, and of the in
proper appreciation of person who, to
accomplish his objects, willingly disre-
CARDS every dictate of morality, and hesi-
tates at no crime.
There seems to have been plan, or an
understanding, between its author and the
editors of his organ, in which it appeared.
The recent county and municipal cleo
tions had convinced them that the organ
ization of the Republican party was liable
to prove an abortion; that Jay Hawking
and j. H. Lane were too grievous loads for
it successfully to bear. 1t was therefore
necessary for him to purge his character
by defence, and relieve that prospective
party of the burden of his disgrace, by g
professed disposition to retire to private
life. His organ was to give strength to
his defence by an article on "persecu.
tiun," in which it should be intimated
shat those who condemned him, did sc
falsely, and pursued him with persecut.
ing spirit; that those papers that held him
to a strict accountability for his crimes
were evolves in sleeps clothing"-tha
whoever such papers denounced, were en-
titled to, and received the respect of the
people; and whoever they praised, fell
as they deserved, in the popular apprecia
T., tion-and in an article upon the "Repub
lican movement" announce, with appa
rent regret, the inexorable necessity which
compelled him voluntarily to withdraw
from public life, commencing him there
, for in way studiously calculated and in
tended to create sympathy, and increase
his chances for future success. Thes,
things were ingenously dovetailed togeth
er, not only to give character to his do
fence, but to break the force and preju
=. dice the people against any reply. Whil'
= We wonder at the ease with which h,
brings his organ to his support, consider
i, ing the estimation in which its editors, il
= private, say they hold him, we cannot, 70
their qualification, or through fear of thei
! denunciations, hesitate to canvass hi
character, and treat his actions as they de
serve. Unlike them, We do not regard
severe condemnation of great wrong a
persecution, nor do we believe its autho
!, is encouraged by an increase of sympathy
when justly criticised.
AS this trouble between JENKINS anc
Lane arose out of a dispute as to the it'll
of claim, it may be proper to relate tn
J circumstances Herewith connected. Jen
,. kins took the claim in September, 1854
i He employed Chapman to erect cabil
i and construct other improvements, ant
" hold it in possession for him, until b.
should be able to remove upon it himself
Chapman was faithless 10 his agreement
and sold the claim, or a portion of it, t.
persons connected with the town-site
who caused portion Of it to be surveyed
into lots and the float to be located owe
it. From some of these, Lane, in tn
y spring of 1855, secured some lots thereon
= erected a cabin, and then assumed to holt
the qualter section as his claim. Agains
:, this whole proceeding, jenkins protested
. Lane so far acknowledged the rights o
jenkins that in September, 1866, he drew
up an agreement, which was signed b,
both, in which it was agreed that th,
claim should be equally divided between
them, and the pre-emption money il
a equal proportion furnished by both. Oh
h the 21st day of October, 1856, Lane solo
n all his interest in the claim, to jenkins
for $500, receiving part cash and the bal
ance in notes. This transaction was wit
: messed by neighbors who, at Lanes re-
e quest, were invited in, and the notes hav'
f since been, by Lane, deposited will
Hutchinson & Co., as security. In tn,
winter of '55 and '56, Lane went to Wash
ington, leaving his affairs in charge o
John Hutchinson, who. as an attorney fo
Lane, forbade jenkins from removing hi,
goods from the claim, saying that Ian,