The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1859-07-09

Voice From Sig Oracle.
The last card played by the Republicans |
of Lsavenworth was a speech from Jim
Lane. This called out the journal, in an |
article which we have not seen, but which
must have touched tender spot FROM the
mode in which the wounded bird Hutters.
Ithad the audacity, in spite of the terror of
MS name, to speak of his past life and his
present inference with Kansas politics.
To this he objects in dictatorial manner.
When the murder Of jenkins killed
Lanes hopes of political preferment,
he announced his retirement from the
political arena, and fell back upon his
standing as a private citizen to protect
him from criticism, winding up with the
following declaration: "My history is
before the people of Kansas, and to their
Judgment will 1 chesrfully submit"
Men who have no virtue oftentimes
affect it the better to conceal their pur-
poses. So Lane, as if conscious of his
own integrity, and confident of an ap-
proving verdict from the people of Kan
sas, if they would but criticise his life and
public acts-invited the closest scrutiny.
The mask of honesty, of assumed piety,
falls to the ground. In spite of his own
contradictory statement of the killing
of Jenkins, and his asseverations to Al
mighty God as to the rectitude of his
intentions in that act, the verdict of the
people is against him, and he is forced to
ask exemption from the very criticism
and verdict he cheerfully welcomed a
few months ago. He issues another pro-
nuuciamento, not to the politicians or
people of Kansas, but to its editors, in the
style of the magniloquent Sir Oracle, who
prefaced his speeches with: Il am Sir
Oracle! When 1 ope my mouth, let NO
dog bark"
"For years." he says, "the writer has
tamely submitted to the most brutal
assaults upon him from the newspapers of
the whole country" His Christian for
bearance and meekness for years, he COM
plains has called down upon him the
universal condemnation of the American
press till his faith in humanity waivers,
and his trust in God fails to sustain him.
and, as last defence, he issues this card
to protect him: "The object of this card
is to notify Kansas Editors that, as pri-
vate citizen, he now claims exemption from
further assault. This right is conceded
by all gentlemen to the mere private citizen.
When Iagain return to the political arena,
and not until then, should they be re-
sumed."
He cannot escape so easily. When he
undertakes to lecture upon Kansas, and
to state the position of other men, he can
not handy charges freely against other
"private citizens" and 60 unquestioned.
When he devotes himself so Exclusively
to the practice of his profession" that he
suffers himself to lecture the citizens OF
another county on their political duties
Just before an election, he must not pre-
tend that he has retired from the political
arena. When too, in the paragraph fol-
lowing his dictatorial announcement to
editors that they must let him alone
because he has retired from politics, he
proceeds to charge his opponents with
deception, and lays down the programme
for the next campaign, he is guilty Of
duplicity. Just imagine reverend poll
tician retiring from politics, and winding
up with stump speech
Here is Lanes "last" word on politics
like his speech only "elicited by press
ing" itch to dictate to Kansas politicians
as well as editors what course they shall
pursue.
II avail myself of this opportunity to
say to the Republicans of Leavenworth
City and county-You are defeated, and
that, too, apparently by an overwhelm-
ing, irremediable majority, but really
there is nothing in it to paralyze or even
discourage. Your opponents were organ.
ized-you not. The appliances made use
of by them will, must rebound-and in
;eliigent and honest people, when the
sober second thought has time to operate
will see the deception practiced upon
them, and will turn upon their betray ers
Be not discouraged then. In the name
of the great cause in which we are en-
gagged, l appeal to you again to buckle OF
your armor and resume the fight. Organ
ize See, reason with, and treat kindly
those who have strayed from the great
army of freedom. Win them back tc
the ranks. At all times and under al
circumstances, hurl defiance into the teeth
of the avowed enemies of free labor.
Pursue this course vigorously, boldly
and at the very first election, venture
the assertion that your city and county
will be redeemed, and glorious victory
gained for the great cause to which you
have devoted your lives. Ignore personal
considerations-heal your discussions
stand by your guns. and all will yet be
WELL" J. Il. LANE.
June 9th, 1859.
Like braggart duelist, who gives ar
insult and provokes challenge, and Their
shrinks behind his recent conversion tc
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