The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1859-07-30
The Annexation of Nebraska.

ty sufllelently large, resolved to cut off |
the gold region, and to refuse the annex
alton of southern Nebraska. A false ap- |
pea! Yves mado to southern Kansas, that |
if the Platte river was mado the northern |
boundary, the Kansas river would be
made the southern line, or portion of
the southern counties be thrown into the |
Indian Territory. Southern Kansas could |
not be cut off without her own consent,
nor the consent of Congress, in the lower
branch Of which the Republican party,
and Democrats who sympathize with
them on the question Of freedom, have a
working majority. The plea, however,
is used to good effect with the unthink-
ing masses, and strong feeling is now
evoked against an incorporation of any
portion of Nebraska within the bounda-
Ties Of the new State. The railroad
schemes OF southern Kansas, anA the hope
of securing the location of the permanent
capital at some such paper city as Supe-
rior, have contributed their share towards
defeating annexation.
What has Kansas lost? By making
the west line on the 23d meridian, the
mining region, with its wealth of forests
as well as of precious metals, is entirely
beyond our reach. 1t cannot veil be
Joined to Utah, on account of the physi-
cal conformation of the country-even if
the social life and religious terets of Nor
monism did not forbid. Nor would the
free laborers of the North consent to be
linked politically with the mongrel na-
tives Of New Mexico. Should Congress
accept the division, this western region
would naturally be joined to the Rocky
Mountain region of Nebraska, forming a
new Territory, or contributing to the sup
port Of that State when it becomes such
by admission. The loss of Kansas will
be the gain of Nebraska.
Kansas, by the excision of SO great q
portion of her domain, would sink to an
Insignificant position in the ranks Of north
ern States. There is no point on the
western border, as now fixed, which can
become a terminus for an important line
OF railroads; and Kansas thus becomes
tributary on the one hand TO Missouri,
and on the other to the Rocky Mountain
region. The trunk line of railroads west
ward from St. Joseph, which will be
built by Eastern capital, will run west to
Marysville, thence north west, striking
the Nebraska line and following the south
side of tho Platte, in proximity to the
gold region, one branch running to Bridg
er's Pass or the South Pass, the other tc
the mines. Should new surveys develor
feasible route through the gold region
to Salt Lake, as has been anticipated, il
would add TO the value of the road, but
not to the pecuniary benefit Of Kansas
The Pacific road, if built on the Arkan.
sas or southern route, will have DO im.
portant point in eastern or western Kan.
sas. Railroads increase the taxable prop.
erty of State when they have their ter.
mini within its limits; for in this case
the large increase of trade adds to the
taxable wealth, and the derots, machine
shops, &c, contribute to the same object
No great centers Of trade will be likely 10
spring up on the line Of the southern
Kansas road, or the route from ST. Joseph
ENTHUSIASTICALLY, before it strikes the
Platte. Nebraska, on the other hand,
having the whole Platte country within
her limits, can control the location of the
Pacihc railroad, and reap ths benefit OF
al Eastern connection ria ST. Joseph OF
Council Bluffs. Two lines of railway are
now in course of construction through
Iowa, one having Council Bluffs as its
western terminus, the other Platteville,
opposite the mouth of tho Platte. The
latter, as the more direct route eastward.
will be constructed on the south side of
the Platte, and had the Wyandott Con-
VentIon possessed the foresight they
should have had, they could have includ
ed the trunk line of this road, at least,
a
within the limits of the prospective State
OF Kansas. They have decided other.
wise, and Nebraska not only retains the
rich agricultural region south of the Platte,
but has it within her power to prevent
the construction of any road through
northern Kansas which viii tap the trade
of the gold. or Rocky Mountain, region.
Having turned deaf ear to southern Ne
braska, and told her pointedly not to med
die with Kansas, her citizens would be
foolish to legislate for our benefit, when it
lies within her power to grasp the prize
for herself.
Had southern Nebraska been annexed.
Kansas would have had more reputable
domain in the extent of its territory, and
the control Of the best lines for railroads
TO the gold region and the Pacific, would
have rested with US. On such a condi-
tion and that msiuly we have favored the
exclusion of the gold region from the
future State. As it is, were the Consti-
tuition unexceptiOnable in every other re-
spect, it should receive an overwhelming
rejection At the hands Of the people.
The question. we are sorry to see, has
been almost strictly party one, nineteen
members only voting for the annexation
Sof Nebraska, and twsnty-six against ii.