White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1862-05-29
The stareis Dsspstisa.

Facts ars daily coming to light which
show conclusivsly that Gen. Stnrgis had
laid the foundation for . complete pro-
slavery despotism in this military District.
He acted dsspoticslly and used all the
secret appliances Of . tyrsnt. His pur-
poss seems to have been not to aid ths
Government or extend protection to the
loyal citizens in his own district. bat rsta-
or to be the ready instrumsnt Of men in
Missouri who were belligersa, pro-siave
ryitea, and, at best, neutral loyaIists.
Kansas Republicans were snubbed. Mis-
souri kidnappers were sent on their way
rejoicing.
Sturgis employed as . secret detective
force. men who have Is little loyalty a.
JEFF. Davis, and Is little honor a. Floyd.
These detectives were not used to arrest
traitors. and did not do so in single in
stance, but simply to annoy. arrest and
punish undoubted Union men. These
detectives went through our State. and
marked such and such property as con-
trabsnd and 40 belonging to Missourians;
they informed Missouri soldiers Of their
discoveries. and the soldiers came over
here and took the spotted" property.
A few days ago the town Of Prairie
City was thrown into tumult BY the sd-
vent Of Q party Of these soldiers. who
pounced upon property-horses. wagons.
&c..-legitimatelw owned by the citizens.
took it and started back to Missouri. Be-
fore reaching their destination. however.
they were arrested and disarmed by de-
tachment Of the Kansas Sixth. The own
ers Of the property proved their title and
were allowed to take it. The officer in
the Sixth learned that the Missourians
were not Jayhawkers. but regularly en-
listed soldiers. and that they were acting
nnder orders from Capt. Sterling of tho
First Missouri Cavalry. and commander
of the post at Kansas City. Their arms
were given back. and they were permit
ted to return to that post.
Gen. Blunt found, upon an examina-
tion of the Gaze. that Capt. Sterling had
been authorized by Sturgis to pursue this
peculiar policy. Capt. Sterling came
here and received q written approval Of
his past course from Gen. Sturgis and an
order TO act as above stated; this order is
not signed by Capt. Moonlight, the Ad-
jutsnt Of Sturgis. and there Is no record
of Iin this Department. There you have
it-secret orders. secret detectives and
Missourians appointed to prowl through
Kansas. And this when we are under
Martial Law. with a Provost Martial
General. and bis assistants. with suf.
6cient military force. and with full suthor-
ity to put down any disturbance wha'ever.
1t was thus that kidnapping was fos.erej.
Martial Law made nullity. and the iron
rod Of slavery held over State which
had wasted its best blood to become free.
We have seen an order given by Capt.
Sterling to q private soldier, giving him
the fullest power to travel through thi.
State and condemn property. 1t is dated
April 10. and we suppose the detective
has been operating ever since.
We are not blaming Capt. Sterling or
bis regiment; they are not censurable for
orders. We are simply showing
the people Of K snsas how they were bound
hand and foot by a military despot.
Parties of soldiers have been conf over
here constantly on errands like the above,
and Jay yhawkers have had to take the re-
spcnsibility Of crimes which they neve,
But Stnrgis no longer in command.
Gen. Blunt will deposs this secret police
force as rapidly as their names become
known. Our State will no longer be q
hunting ground. All who know him are
aware that the fullest redress will be Civ
10 to all aggrieved parties. come from
what locality tey may. 1t will be done |
openly and above boarrl, where all can |
be heard. Honest and loyal men can do |
uHtics without becoming sneaks and ty-
ANTS.
In CONCLUSION. We wouM respectfully
equest that Gen. Sturgis be sent to South
carolina, to take command OF q negro
brigade.