The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1878-08-10
KANSAS FIRST CONGRESSMAN.


first member OF Congress from Kansas,
has appeared in the papers lately in con-
nection with letter written bv him from
an Asylum for the Insane at Washington,
where he has for some time been confined
as hopelessly incurable insane person.
The following letter, the original Of which
is In the files Of the State Historical
Society, written In the very earliest days
of Kansas, shows that the writer was ut
that time clear headed enough. The letter
was written TO the President Of the New
England Emigrant Aid Society, and has
never before been published:
FORT LEAvENwORTH,
KANSAS TERRITORY,
November IL, 1854.
DEAR SIR: Allow me to present to you,
thus Indirectly, the enclosed note Of intro
ductiOn, from my friend, DIR. SnOdgrass.
1 regret my inability, before leaving tho
East, to have presented 1t in person, par
ticularly as had felicited myself much on
the prospect of personal interview; but
I avail myself Of this, the next best ex-
pedient Of making your acquaintance; and
respectfully solicit the honor Of the same.
Ihave taken up my residence In this
Territory with q determination to settle
here for life. do not look forward to any
considerable personal participation in pO-
litical affairs-my object being mainly to
devote myself to the practice Of my pro-
fessiOn; but deeply sympathize with you
and your good people in your noble effort
to make Kansas q free State: and while
that remains unaccomplished, stand ready
to perform one mans share in its cOnsum-
nation. I have been SO far, during the
years Of my citizenship, q Democrat. I
have no desire to be anything else as long
as live. shall be nothing else as long
as live. But my Democracy, I hope,
exists independently Of party names, or
the ever varying heterogeneous combina-
tons Of political elements. Democrat"
though I be, no edicts Of councils, eau
cuses, or conventions can make me regard
slavery in Kansas, or slavery anywhere on
the globe, Us anything else than the grand
aggregate Of all wrong.
I have taken occasion since my arrival
here, to ascertain, as far as possible, the
condition Of public sentiment with refer
ence to this subject. have travelled in
different parts Of the Territory myself,
and have always made diligent inquiry Of
others, who have done the same; and,
quite well satisfied that, while the anti
Slavery party will eventually triumph. the
contest will be waged, with the utmost
desperation, by tho enemies of freedom.
Victory will In the end, be with the right
that do not allow myself to doubt. But
the champions of the good cause must not
relax their efforts under the decisions of q
false security. Eternal vigilance is the
price Of Liberty" The newspapers In the
East, am afraid, will do harm In giving
currency to the impression that Kansas
will he Free State whether or nO-that
the opposition has surrendered its hopes,
and abandoned its undertakings-and that
no fight will be made on the subject. l
think this decided mistake. The patti
Fans of slavery are largely In the majority
at the present time. in this section Of the
Territory, as, also, In the Southern end.
It is only In the Kansas Valley where our
friends are predominant. In order to carry
the legislative elections, in the various
districts, and thus settle the question for
freedom, our men must be scattered
through the Territory. Besides, a great
source OF strength to the pro- Slavery party
will be the colonization OF voters from
Missouri. This will be attempted in such
O way, I am satisfied, as will, In great
measure, insure success; and will tell with
great weight, all along the Missouri line.
IL mast be neutralized, if possible, by the
rOtes of bona Jade citizens Of the anti
Slavery stamp. By the pOstpOnement Of
the election for the Legislature, until the
next spring or summer,-(which the Gov
ernor has resolved On) an opportunity IL
offered to anti Slavery men to transfer
themselves before the election, to localities
in which their influence may be exerted to
the greatest advantage. hope the OPP
portunity may be embraced with alacrity.
I shall for the present remain at this
post. have visited Lawrence, and made
the acquaintance OF Mr.. POmerOy, DR..
Robinson, and the other leading men Of
that city. I have agreed to keep up
correspondence with them; and to concur
in any movement which might be resolved
on in furtherance Of the cause. Anything
which I can do am ready to perform.
should be extremely happy to hear from
you; and any suggestions you may favor
me with, as to the course proper to be
pursued by the friends Of freedom out
here, either individually or collectively,
will be thankfully received by your friend
and co-wOrker.
II. F. CONWAY,
ELI THAYER. ESQ.,, Worcester, Mass.