The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-09-24
1uap. Johnston and he Slave Trade.

81 he DemOCraLlC NOmlHee-IllS VIEWS |
on the Slave Trade" says:
From the most reliable source we have
it that Johnston, the Administration nom
inee for Congress, while on his way to To-
peka, at Big Springs, openly avowed his
belief in the opening of the African'slave
trade. His pretended reason therefor,
was that the multiplication of negroes and
slaves would tend to kill out slavery On |
his way back from Topeka, at the same
place, his attention was again called to the |
subject by one of his political friends, and |
he did not deny or abate one whit his |
former position. All the signs of the
times show unmiStakably that the Demo |
cratic tendency is to reopen that nefarious
and piratical traffic.
Then the editor proceeds with sundry
remarks against the horrors Of the slave
trade, &C., and concludes that Northern
Democrats like Judge JOHNSTON, with
Supple knees and timber back bones"
are preparing to accede to this new de-
mand of the slave power, and favor the
opening of the foreign slave trade.
Now we don't care how bitterly the
Republican, or any other journal, assails
the Democratic party, as we have no stock
in it, and believe it corrupt enough in all
conscience, and that it is altogether wrong
upon the subject of slavery; but when
the charge was made against Judge JOHN
sToN, "a former member of the Free State
party, and one who had contributed his
full share towards making Kansas Free
State,) we felt it was unjust and libellous,
and we promptly met the assertion by an
unqualified denial, just as we would if any
similar false attack had been made upon
Mr.. Parrott.
In its issue of Sept. 1st, the Republican
reiterated its charges against Judge JOHN
sToN. In the meantime, the Leaven-
worth Herald, speaking authoritatively
for Judge JOHNSTON, denied in the most
positive terms the allegation, and demand
ed the proof. The Republican of Sept.
18th, came forward with its vaunted
"Proof," which it claimed was a clincher,
and consisted of the following docu.
ments :"
AT Big Springs. Douglas county. X. T.. ]
heard Judge Johnston, of Leavenworth, say in q
general conversation that he was in favor Of the
opening of the African Slave Trade. He said
that it would be the means of getting rid OF
slavery in the South; that it would food them
with cheap negroes, and disgust the South with
slavery. This was said by Judge Johnston wher
ton. On his return from Topeka, man whom
took to be delegate to the Convention asked
him whether he had taken such q position il
favor of the Slave Trade. Judge Johnston die
not deny that he had taken such a position, anC
told him be did on his way up. He did no
deny that he said he was in favor of the Say'
Trade, neither did he deny but what he was theI
in favor Of it, though then charged him will
il. JOHN kIESLER,
John Kiesler, being duly sworn, deposes ant
says that the matters in the ,N s6Sye statement i
Subscribed and sworn to before me, this 3Otl
day of August, A. ID. 1859:
Clerk Probate Court, Douglas Co., K. T.
BIG SPRINGS, Kansas, August %, 1859.
"On or about the 10th day of the above month
l was present during part Of conversation be
tween judge Johnston, tho Democratic nomine
for delegate to Congress, and Mr.; Darling of thi
place-in the course Of which Mr.. Darling re
marked that he had always been a Democrat
and had usually voted the Democratic ticket
but had of late years become disguised with tn
pro-slavery tendencies of that party. In repl
TO which Mr.. Johnston remarked that he was O
Trade would be the most effectual method 9
putting a check to or destroying the institution
Of slavery, in this government. ! did not, a
Mr. Darliug alleges he did, hear him say that h
(Johnston) was in Jdror of re-Openng the Afr
can Slave Trade, though he may have said SO be
fore or after was present, -
Sworn to and subscribed before me this s7t
day Of August, 1853. E. ID, LADD.
Justice of Peace, Douglas Co.
BIC SPRINGS.
"MEssRs. .EDIToRs:-Learning that Judge ] ohm
ston had stated to one of our neighbors, ON hi
way to the Topeka Convention, that he was i
in favor of re-opening tho African Slave Trade
took the opportunity too call his attention /
the report when he returned from the Conven
tion, which did in the presence of a crowd G
citi4ens and Democratic delegates. In his repl
hedid not deny that he held the above opinion
and it was generally agreed By those who hear
him, that he lodged the question. Mr. Darling
who had the conversation alluded to with Judg
Johnston, is absent In Missouri, but will proba
P. H. TOWNSEND.
Such is the "incontestible proof whic
the Republican brings forward to sustain
its charges against Judge JOHNSTON. !
will be borne in mind, at the outset, tina
these afidavits are ertraJudicial, not ia
ken in the course of legal proceeding
that the charge of perjury could not b
sustained against the persons making then
on that account; that they are who'll,
er pdrte statements, which the othe
party had no opportunity to cross-exam
Inc. They do not pretend to give th
srhOle conversation, and only Kiesler'
statement, that in general conversation
Johnston said he was in favor of openin,
the African slave trade, and when on hi
way back from Topeka" he did not den,
that he had made the statement
ROOr6aek, a significant name truly, say
he heard part of the conversation refere,
to by Kiesler, and though he did not hea
what Kiesler says he did, and what Dar
ling claimed he said, yet he did hear MI
Johnston say abe was of the opinion tha
to fe-open the African slave trade sooult
Be the most efectual method Of putting I
check to or destroying the iastitution 0
slavery in this government"
It strikes us that ROorback has proved
too much that while he has attempted
to poison, he has furnished the antidote
His statement, if it amounts to anything
proves that Mr.. JOHNSTON is an enemy tc
slavery, and is ardeutly desirous Of termi-
mating its existence in the shortest way
possible.
Townsend. though the Republiean does
prefix the title of Honorable to his name,
does not even furnish an srtraJudieidl
oath that he was telling the truth, stand