The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1862-05-08
LET THE PEOPLE SPEAK.


LET THE PEOPLE SPEAK.
The following suggestion We cordially
approve Of, and hope it may have the de-
sired effect of purging our State Of men
whose past history has been one succession
of outrages committed upon those now in the
field defending the Government. tits high
time, indeed, that the people should demand
Of the authorities at Washington the reno
val Of certain officers throughout the State,
whose presence is only bitter mockery,
and living embodiment of the oppression
they subjected our people to during the
days of Border Rufhanism. The removal
of Sturgis gives unbounded satisfaction to
the troops stationed in this vicinity, and to
great extent dispenses with the necessity
of the action below suggested. There are
however, men occupying positions at Forts
Riley and Leavenworth against whom indu-
bitable evidences of disloyalty exist. We
speak particularly of Fort Riley. There
has always existed at the Fort set of pro-
slaveryites whose oppression Of Free State
men during the troubles came fully up to
the standard of that day. As might be
expected, when the war broke out, they
were found on the side of rebellion but
now, with an unblushing cheek, seeking a
re.appointment at the bands of those whom
they have villifed without stint. Manli-
ness we should think would dictate differ
ent course. But such virtues seem to be
wanting, hence some action Of the people
becomes necessary.
1t has been suggested by gentlemen in
different portions of the State, that gener-
al Delegate Convention of the people of Kan
sas be held sometime during the coming
month, for the purpose of petitioning and
demonstrating with the President in regard
to the course being pursued by our military
commanders-the general conduct Of mill
tary matters here, &c. There is great wrong
being practiced somewhere in our Kansas
military system, and by somebody, and the
people, who pay the taxes for the support
of this war, and in whose behalf it is being
waged, have right to know who and where
it is. The indications are becoming daily
more manifest, that network is being WOW :
en- by semi-secessionism, through the instru-
mentality of army honors and emoluments,
for the destruction Of that hearty, Jealous,
outpouring sentiment Of loyalty to the Gov
ernment and genuine love of liberty, which
has ever characterized the great bulk of the
people of Kansas. The insidious pro-slav.
eryites, and suspected and known secession
lists, winked at by intense proslavery Gen.
erals and commanders, are, through the
Establishments of patronage and the frowns
of power, most efectually and disastrously
undermining that feeling and preparing this
State to be handed over, bound hand and
foot, to the rebellionists of the South.
The question is asked thousand times a
day, why these things are permitted ? We
opine it is simply because there has been no
public expression of disapproval by the peo-
pie. We cannot believe that the Govern
ment, with full knowledge Of all the abuses
that are being praeticed here, would hesi-
tate for moment in their redress. Kan
sas has occupied too important position in
Western politics, and has been too active
and Jealous in the support of the govern
ment and the war, to be wilfuly or unne-
cessarily neglected now.
There can be no satisfactory excuse for
retaining in Office over us, men who have
been identified, in the past, with the Bor-
der Ruf6anism that then sought, and is still
seeking, by more insidious means, our pol
itical if not our physical destruction.
The recollection Of the mons:rous wrongs
that We have suffered at the hands of these
men, is too fresh and poignant to admit of
an unresisting subjugation and obedience to
their behests. The retention of known and
violent secessionists and pro-slavery Rufians
in responsible and lucrative positions at the
Forts, in whose hands nearly the entire
patronage of the Government Is confined to
the men who have heretofore been seeking
our destruction, is fact too we'll known to
admit of question OF doubt, and fact, the
knowledge of which is as disgraceful to the
Government as it is humiliating to the peo-
pie of Kansas.
To remedy this, We know Of no method
so efectual as direct remonstrance and peti-
ton to the President and the Department at
Washington-and no more proper method