Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-07-04
GOV. REEDER IN KANSAS



vile, arrived IN this city early last week His
numerous friends and acquaintance were
very glad to welcome lin back to Kansas
once more. On Friday evening the governor.
IN accordance with the very generally express
ed wishes OF the community. delivered a plrb.
Ic address. The street IN front OF the Ell
bridge House WAS at an early hour filled with
a large and enthusiastic crowd, the Lawrence
Band meanwhile dlscoursng splendid music
Gov. Reeder was introduced in a few remarks
by I. ID. Thacher, and was received with
three cheers by the audience. He then spoke
for about one hour and a half, delivering one
OF the finest and most impressive addresses
ever delivered in our city. He commenced
by Il rapid survey OF the present condition Of
the territory, contrast,d with what it was at
the time he left in 1856. Then the people of
Kansas were few in number, without money,
without resources, without arms or means OF
defense, and yet forced to resist encroachmeut
aud invasion from neighboring state, backed
up by the treasury and army OF the nation,
then, as now, controlled by the slave oligarchy.
Now, he found the territory strong in popua-
ton and resources, and more than all, the cal.
liant soldiers OF freedom remain masters of the
yJield He paid just and feeling tribute to
the tree state people, their devotion to free.
dom, and their stern perseverance in resisting
oppression; and he said the Old Guard Of
Kansas had written page Of history which
would glow with nevertading lustre among
the annals of the nation.
The governor then gave a somewhat cir
cumstantial and a very interesting account of
his personal adventures in leaving the terri
toy in 1856. He said he refused to be arrested
at the time the investigating committee was in
session, because lie knew there was plan on
foot to assassiuate him. a personal friend,
who was pro-slayery man, and in the coun.
sells and secrets of that party, came to him, at
great personal risk, and warned him not to
allow himself to be arrested and taken to Lee
compton, as the plan was to take him to Lee
compton, and there have Buiords gang take
nm from the civil officers and murder him.
while the court aud the instigators of the move.
ment would pretend to reprehend and regret
the act. Being thus forewarned OF the inten-
tions Of these desperadoes, he determined not
to submit to an arrest. Upon consultation
with the leading men of the tree sta e party,
it was determined that he should leave the
territory, rather than afford pretext for a col.
hslon with our foes, in the then detenseess
condition of the free state people. He accord
mgly determined to leave. But the assassins
were still logging lis track. They had their
committees out, watching the roads and steam
boat landings, with the determination to cap
ture him if possible. But happily, 10y the aid
OF faithful and yigilant friends, he euded
them, and making his way through Missouri,
sometimes travelling across the country by
night, sometimes as a deck passenger on the
steamboats, at last reached the state of Hi.
nos, and vas safe. lie then devoted his whole
time and energies to organizing movements
for aid to the free state people
The governor then passed, in his remarks.
to consideration OF national politics. lie
showed how the republican party had grown
up by necessity, out OF the aggressiOns of
the slave power He defended it triumphant
ly against the attacks OF its enemies, aud
showed It to be the guardian Of popular rights
and the defender Of the constitution and union
He told how he had been a life long democrat,
but had been forced TO leave that party by its
foul treachcry TO the rights of the people lie
commented in terms OF great severity upon
the course OF Mr. Douglas He said that
previous 10 Mr.. Douglass celebrated Kansas
report, so full OF all manner OF SANDER and
talsehood against the people OF Kansas, he
Gov Reederl being still connected with the
democratic party, had visited Washington,
and, at Douglass request, had met him, and
had several long interviews with him, and
fully posted him in regard to The actual
facts OF the Kansas dificultirs. Other gentle
men from Kansas, acquaintance OF Mr.. Doug
lbs, had done the same, so that he perfectly
understood the true state Of the case. Under
these circumstances Gov. Reeder said lie
looked with great interest for Mr.. Douglass
report, anticipating that he would 40 justice
to the free state people. Judge then, Of his
surprise, when, upon taking it up, he found il
filled with the grossest assaults and ISLANDERS
upon them, the facts Of the case entirely sup
pressed or misrepresented, and the whole re.
port burden OF Iaacy and deceit. 81 threw
it from me in disgust, said the governor, "and
from that day forward have had no confidence
whatever in the honesty Or sincerity OF Ste
phen a. Douglas"
Gov Reedcr's closing remarks upon the all
important and overshadowing nature of the
great issue between freed )m and slavery were
truly eloquent, and produced deep impress
sion upon the audience. His whole speech
was dignitied and impressive, and well calcu-
lated TO carry conviction 10 an unpreJudiced
mind.