The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1864-02-13
AN ASTOUNDING FRAUD!
THOMAS CARNEY ELECTED UNITED STATES
SENATOR!

THOMAS CARNEY ELECTED UNITED STATES
SENATOR!
Ever since the present Legislature assembled
we have been in receipt Of reports from the Cap
ital that an attempt was to be made to elect a
Senator to succeed General J. II. Lane, whose
term will expire the 4th of March, 1865. or one
year from the 4th of next March. Had the re-
ports been that the members of the Legislature
contemplated the sorcible seizure of the State
Treasury, and the division of its contents among
those participating in the robbery, and the pas
sage of an act legalizing the larceny, they would
have received at our hands quite as much heed
rs those which reached u.s. We did not believe
it possible that within the limits of Kansas
fifty-one men could be found SO utterly lost, not
only to democratic and republican principles,
but to all decency and selfrespect, as to contem-
plate, much less to attempt such an open, palpa-
bic, glaring and atrocious FRAUD, not upon the
money Of the people, but upon that vital, funda-
mental principle of democratic government, the
right of the people 70 govern themselves, and to
indicate, either by their ballots or by delegates
chosen for the purpose, the individuals to repre-
seems we are mistaken. The confidence we have
reposed in the members Of the present Legisla-
ture is misplaced. Instead Of being, as sup
posed, men of integrity, of principle. democrats
and republicans. disposed to guard with jealous
watchfulness and care the rights and interests of
the people, their acts show them to be band of
corrupt, trading, mereenary conspirasors, crouch
ing and cringing like very spaniels for money
and whisky, at the feet of q corrupt and imbecile
Governor, who openly boasts that he bought
his way" to the Executive Office, and, that hav
ing "no heirs F" he has money enough to "buy
his way" to any position in the gift of the people
of Kansas. 1t is with shame and confusion of
face that we are compelled to acknowledge that
the Legislature to whom have been confided the
interests and honor of the people of Kansas are
treacherous, mercenary, and larcenous It will
be in vain that any man shall stand up in their
justification. They have been guilty of attempt
to rob the people of political right priced above
all money, and all price a crime in comparison
with which theft, robbery and perjury whiten
into virtues. This outrage upon the rights of
the people Of Kansas has been perpetrated, not
by Dave Atchison and his horde of Missouri
ruffians. nor by Calhoun with his Lecompton
swindle in the shape of Constitution" nor by
Quantrel and his drunken and ragged guerrillas.
bu! by Senators and Representatives elected by
the votes of the free men of Kansas. majority OF
whom lyingly profess to be Republicans and who
were pledged, either directly or by Implication,
not to aid in such fraud. The Representatives
who participated in this fraud were elected in
November, 1863, and made the canvass among
their constituents year and half in advance
of any vacancy in the United States Senate the
Senators who participated in the fraud were
elected in November, 1862, two and half years
prior to the vacancy, and the terms for which
they were elected will expire more than year
before there will be any vacancy in the Senate
rial offices Of Kansas in the National Legislature
Two years ago, no elector of the State, and no
candidate for the Legislature, dreamed that the
question of United States Senator for 1865 was
involved in the then election, and even last year
every suggestion that the Senatorial question
was involved in the then election was secuted,
repudiated and denied by every candidate for
Legislative position, who was sounded upon the
eubject. The people, therefore, felt easy, quite
secure that when the proper time arrived for
selecting men to elect Senator the opportunity
Of free choice would he open to them. But what
now do We seeY corrupt and fraudulent con- |
epiracy between the Legislators, so long ago
elected, and the Governor to fcrestal the actio2 ]
Of the people, to defeat their wishes and defraud
them Of their choice, by eleet.ng him-a erich
ignoramus, o weak, uneducated, unprncipled
branless, egotistical pretendcr-to
that office, which should be filled alone by men
Of intelligence, talents, integrity and true moral
worth. who could command the respect and con.
hdeEee Of the people of Kansas and of the Naticn
We admit that in the consideration of the
question of principle involved, the mere personal
question has but little place. The election of no
nan, however able, learned or pure. could change
he act, or make that right which is of itself
corrupt. fraudulent and criminal. 1t is against
The conspiracy that We protest. and against the
infamous and internal knayery which has be- |
mayed the people, and bartered away their dear
est and most cherished rights, for SO much ,
ShHEy snd go many dollars. And sgainst this
snne' and against these criminals. we pledge
lndying hatred and hostility.
Mr.. John NJ. Elliott, the Oldest pr;pter IN =
he United States, died at his home in Jersey |
City on the 2lst inst. He was the only sur '
Tivor of the celebrated Miranda expedition. e
itted out in 1904 in New York, against the '
spanish Main, he, with others, having been in G
'eigled into the affair By representations that l
hey were going to New Orleans as printers
dr. Elliott was long confined in . Spanish q
,rison. c