The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1860-04-24

by fanatic, smiled complaceutly at foray
of thousands Of Missourans upon the prai-
ries of Kansas. Republicans may and do
denounce goth these lawless attempts upon
the peace and order Of society but how
can Northern or Southern Democrats, who
sneered at "Kansas shrekes," consistently
clamor at the silly or crazy attempt Of
Brown, when they excused their partisans
armed with United States muskets, taken
by violence from United States armory,
driving quiet settlers from the polls and de-
priving them Of every civil right by cum
ming combination of force and frnudi-
When recall these scenes brought vividly
before me by Legislative examination Of
over three hundred witnesses, by knowing
the men engaged in them and by being
compelled as an eye witness to see a por-
ton of them, am not surprised that the
people Of Kansas are this day more deter
mined in their hostility to the Democratic
party than any other portion Of the people
Of the United States.
During the early struggle am glad to
say the Republicans in Congress made no
mistake. They established by the clearest
testimony, the truth Of their allegations
They then proposed to admit Kansas as
State under the Topeka constitution, to
withdraw all outside agencies, and 10 leave
the people perfectly free to form and reg.
ulate their own institutions in their own
way" When this proposition was reject
ed, every Republican in Congress voted to
settle the whole controversy by what is
known as "Dunn's BILL" 1t removed all
the controverted enactments Of Legislative
Assembly, and restored the Missouri re-
striction, but it carefully guarded whatever
rights shareholders might have in the terri.
tory. II WAS liberal measure, SO much
so that it formed the chief electioneering
cry Northern democrats the Republicans
had voted to consign unborn children, and
their children's children to everlasting
slavery. But it was rejected, because the
men who controlled the Democratic party
at that time believed that Kansas was Sc
cured to the interest OF slavery, anu tney
would yield to no compromise. Zap.
plause.)
Such was the position of affairs when
tho Republican party entered into its first
SiSoe SOhtCnt. ~ WIS WlIuOub SoiihOh
organization, without acknowledged lead
ers, and was required to treasure strength
with an old organization in possession Of all
the powers and patronage Of the govern
ment, with an army of trained officials,
who wanted nothing but the password and
plunder to bring them into line. This
dominant party had yielded so far to the
popular feeling as to put aside its active
agents in the recent contest, and take for
its Presidential nominee gentleman who
he'd been absent for years at a foreign
conrt. 1t also fortified itself by pledges
to respect popular sovereignty both in the
States and territories.
Yet, gentlemen. with all these odds
and agencies against it, the Republican
party would have succeeded but for the
presence in some of the middle flee States
Of a third party, composed Of men who
agreed with it in most, if not all practical
measures. am very glad they did not,
for they had not gristle enough to face the
battle which is now to be fought. They
were timid men-men who did not like
some speech or some phrase that some Re
publican had uttered at some time or other.
They were easily frightened by clamor or
party cry. They were such men as are
found in every contest when ideas meet
face to face. They did not understand
Republican ideas, but hope thev will do
better next time. Processing to follow the
teachings Of the great wbig leader, they
contributed by their votes for third can
didate to perpetuate the ascendancy Of
party whose latest act was the abrogation
Of compromise rendered doubly sacred
by its historic connection with the hallowed
name of Henry Clay-a name that is yet
garlanded with fresh flowers in the hearts
of his countrymen-a name that is the
emulation of youth, aud of manhood the
standard Of all that is manly and noble
(Applause.) And if old Harry Clay had
lived, Stephen A. Douglas would never
have dared to touch one word of the Mis-
souri, compromise.
Mr.. Buchanan was elected President,
and soon after the attempt TO force slavery
upon Kansas was renewed with fresh ener-
gy. Democratic officials were engaged in
foregoing and swearing to returns Of the
| eIcCtiOu VI dclsShtcs W Iue IeCOupIOu
Constitutional Convention. The men SO
declared elected gravely met and framed
constitution, in which they declared that
property in slaves was higher than and
above all law. That instrument was sent
to democratic President and Cabinet for
approval, and it was approved. 1t was
followed by remonstrance, by the condem-
nation of popular vote iu Kansas, by the
clearest evidence that it was fraud cou-
summated by the wholesale commission Of
the mesnest crimes known to the criminal
code. (Applause Yet, having been ap.
proved by democratic President and Cab.
met it received the iurther sanction Of
democratic Senate, and would have been
invested with all the power and force Of
an act Of Congress but for the united,
sturdy opposition Of the Republican party.
And / am glad to say that in this contro.
versy the Republicans were aided by the
Senators and Representatives Of that mid
dies class Of men who defeated them in
the Presidential contest, and also by some
democrats, now known as anti -Lecompton
democrats. Even those nervous gentle
men who look upon this Union as con.
sumptive, dyspeptic patient, in danger Of
speedy dissolution, must have enjoyed a
temporary relief when Crittenden, Bell,
| NJ III III