The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1875-02-04
Judge Lecompte's Review.


Most of our inside reading space, this week, is
Occupied by Judge Lecompte's review and defence
of his official life as Judge of Kansas Territory.
Several weeks since, Published an article, IN
which We eontenlei that, however eensurable
soHe Of the Judges acts may have been, we did
not regard him as so bad man as he had been
represented to be, and that in consideration Of
his subsequent good behavior, he was entitled to
forgiveness. This prompted the Judge to ask il
we would gran. space in our columns for re-
view aud defence of his official conduct, and il
Bo, what space would be allowed: We replied
that it was rule with MS to give every man who
desired it fair showing in this paper. aud that
he might occupy ns much space as lie deemed
necessary todo himself Justice. What he has to
say on the question, is before the reader.
Judge Lecomptcs statements are most COM
plete and clear upon every fHint, embracing, we
believe ali the acts or alleged acts for which he
has been so bitterly denounced for almost twen-
ty years He does not shirk any question, nor
beat abont the bush, but defies proof, either by
living witnesses or authentic records, to prove
that any Of the charges trne just. If there
be any who have evidence tel the contrary, VOW
is the time to produce it.
Ne are among those who once believed, that
If Judge Lecompte did not directly countenance
aud encourage Pro Slavery ontrages, his leaning
was so strong ON that side of the question, that
advantage was taken of it by those who did com
init the outrages This was the impression We
received before coming to Kansas; and after
coming here, We heard nothing 80 correct the
impression. Reports of committees, and the tone
of what purported TO be true histories, all point
ed in the same direction. The Judges political
friends did not seem to make an effort to refute
the charges, which regarded rs admitting
their truth. Having since met him upon several
occasions, his appearance, bearing and style did
not seem to us to he these of man who had n
taste for ruffanism and his after conduct has
been that of a peacc-lovng aud law-abidng
man. We therefore thonght, that if he had been
open to censure for past acts, it was time they
were forgiven, if not forgotten
But, according to his own story, the Judge is
himself responsible for having SO long rested
under the o1ium o. those char.e'. He tells us, in
this article, that when investigating committees,
officials and reporters were charging him with
yIuss crimes he took no measures to yindicute
himself; that only once, before this time, has he
ever offered in print, to defend himself-and the
first time, we presume, he did not enter ihto a
thorough review. So that may say, now is
the first time that he undertakes full defence
of himself. He ought not, then, think so badly
of the press. We we're honest in our belief that
he was open to censure; and other editors from
the same sources of information, douhtless hon
estly believed the same thing. One generation
that held him guilty is rapidly passing away,
and their children have been brought mp in the
same Deiiei. 1t may he, that if the Judge had
undertaken his vindcatun while the bitterness
of the strife still existed, it would have been
looked upon as simply intended for effect, and
have failed of its object. Perhaps now is n more
appropriate time T. speak cut; but still, as all
statements heretofore made have been on the
opposite side, it is not at all strange that public
sentiment atsIr4st hiils--z----.-A-
We are glad that Judge Lecompte was induced
to place a review of his official acts upon record,
By seeing desire part to he fair and just,
and that he chose our columns for the purpose;
for it is the other side of a question of Kansas
and national history, which should he made cor
rect and perfect while there are living witnesses
of the facts The statements seem to be fair, and
must be regarded rs true, until the contrary is
proven.