The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1864-05-14
Saturday, May Ia, 1861.
Who is to Blamei

IN our remarks last week IN reference
TO Sena.or Lanes opposition to the rails
ing Of Home Guard Regiment. We
said lie was responsible for the Law
renee Massacre. As We expected. some
of the few worshippers Of Lane called
up former article, in which We said
the people Of Lawrence could blame
themselves for the destruction Of their
city. Some of the aforesaid admirers
Of the zone man power" thought they
had found quite "mare's nest" in this
matter; and pronounced one of our de-
clarations contradiction of the other.
On the contrary, We shall prove them
both to be true in few words, BY way
Of illustration, thus:
Had old Buchanan been true patriot
and fit President, be would have seized
and hung tie leaders of the rebellion
when treason first showed its head. and
thus "nipped" secession Gin the bud"
But he neglected his duty permitted the
work of treason 10 GO on unmolested
for weeks and months. until it grew
strong and could not be put down with
out the war For this plain neglect Of
an imperative duty. he is responsible
for all the bloodshed ard desola,ion Of
the war But an officer-as Gen. Banks
lis careless of duty in the field, and
suffers the enemy TO surprise and defeat
him. Now while he is fully and per-
sonally responsible for his neglect, and
can shift that responsibility nowhere
else, it does not relieve Buchanan from
the more fearful responsibility Of placing
him and his men in position where it
was necessary for them TO be watchful
and vigilant. Both are TO blame in their
respective spheres.
Just SO in the case under considera-
ton. Had Lane not prevented the rais-
ing Of the Home Guard Regiment. that
body Of men on our border would have
effectually prevented all raids into our
State. including the one resulting in the
sacking of Lawrence. Hence. he is le
sponsible for all the bloodshed. murder,
devastation, ,wretchedness, woe and tears
which have Come 10 nnr ci,i,Ans hnnanee
the State was not protected by one thou
sand faithful and true Kansans. Yet
as this was not done, and as the citizens
of Lawrence, through the exertions oi
Gov. Carney. were furnished with arm.
and the means Of defense. and had been
warned repeatedly of their danger. they
Having the means Of profession with,
in Inconsistencies only 10 blame fol
not keeping guards ont. tina, timely
notice of the approach Of the foe nigh
be had. This is plain. But their failure
to do this does not exculpste Lane from
the immensely greater responsibility o.
taking upon himself the crime Of making
ii necessary for tie people Of Laurence
to hare arms and keep out sentinels Thi.
is plain
Az 4. ,s. tl,. Gr-t ART. al
we were not aware of the fact that Lane
had committed such diabolical crime
against the State. We did not know
that the blood of the Lawrence victims,
as well as of other victims, was in lis
skirts and upon his soul. We did MOI
dream there was man in Kansas hold
ing any Office as the gift Of the people.
who would be guilty of such unparallel-
ed vickedness as to place his individual
ambition, malice or greed in the scales
and weigh himself against the lives Of
the citizens Of the State. But we know
il now; and while we aid to fix the crime
and curse upon him. leaving God and
men to FIX the punishment. we are not
governed By personal feeling. but de-
sire to serve the State and promote the
best and lasting interests Of our people.
No people can be permanently prosper
put aside all such as make corrup ion
out of Office. or selfish interests. para
mount TO the good o! the State. We
are for Kansas all the time-for men
never, save - they are true and faith
fui to lie trusts reposed in them. and
10 the ip eI ests Of the State.