The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1891-06-12
aINcoLN IN KANSAS IN 1859.
EXTRACTS From Ex-senator InEaIIs' Essay
in the New York Sun.

49,
and Mr.. Lincoln was invited to be pres
Snt. He accepted conditionally. but
the condition developed so rapidly in
Illinois that he was unable to attend
On the 10th of that month the repub-
Iicans of that state met at Decatur, and
he was announced with great enthu-
siasm as the ''rail-splitter candidate"
for the presidency in 1850.
The Wyandotte, Kan, constitution
was framed in July, adopted in October
by popular vote, and an election for
state officers was held in Decem Der,
1859. The canvass was animated,
though the result was foregOne con-
-c.Iusion, and again Mr.. Lincoln was
urged by some of his Illinois friends
and acquaintances who had settled In
the territory to address the republicans
upon national politics. This was the
yoretext, but in fact his appearance was
intended as a demonstration to enable
him to compete with Seward for the
delegation from Kansas in the presi-
Dental nominating convention.
He accepted the invitation and the st.
Joseph Gazette of November 80, 1859,
noticed his arrival in that city on the
previous day, en- route to the territory
E'to make republican speeches" His
first appearance was at the now extinct
city of Ellwood, directly opposite St
Joseph, on the Missouri river. The
Free Press of that city, December 3,
= 1893, says JnEJ a large AuuuDSr u ClSL-
zens gathered at the Great Western no.
toll to hear Mr.. Lincoln on the evening
of December 1. He was received with
enthusiasm. He stated the reasons
why he could not make speech and
could only say few words to those
who had come out to meet him the first
time he had placed his foot on Kansas
soil.
In conclusion Mr.. Lincoln sdverted
briefly to the Harper's Ferry incident.
He believed the attack of Brown
wrong, for two reasons. First, 1t was
a violation of law, and second, it was,
sas all such attacks must be, futile as
far as any effect it light have on the
great evil. We have a means provided
for the expression of our beliefs In re-
gard to slavery. 1t is through the bal
lot box, the peaceful method provided
by the constitution. John Brown has
shown great courage and rare unselhsh-
ness, as Gov. Wise testifes, but no
man north or south, can approve of vi
-oience or crime. Mr. Lincoln closed his
speech by urging all to vote as became
the free men of Kansas.
Leaving Ellwood. Mr.. Lincoln drove
to Troy, where he delivered q brief
speech in the afternoon, to which Col.
a g. Eye replied. He continued his
journey to Doniphan, where he passed
the night, making a short address in
the dining room of the hotel to a small
audience. There he was met by A d.
Richardson, by whom the next morn
ing, December 3, he was con-
Quoted to Atchison. He was enter
-Gained at the MassasOit house, and in
the evening delivered an address at the
Methodist church, which was described
by General Stringfellow as the most
logical and vigorous he had ever heard
from IL republican orator. 1t was the
evening of the day that John Brown
49,
graphic announcement of the execution
had been received in the afternoon.
One of the most dramatic incidents OF
tthe speech of Mr.. Lincoln, who pur-
Issued substantially the same line of ar
,g-lmcnt developed at Cooper Institute
il the following Fe bruary, was an allu-
sion to the Harper's Ferry incident.
a. sferring to the threats of disunion by
southern leaders in case of the election
of a republican president, he said this
would be treasOn-''and if you are
guilty of treason we will hang you, as
,yyou have hanged old John Bro wn this
afternoon"
From Atchison he drove to Leaven
worth, and the Times of December 8
announced his expected arrival, called
slpOn its readers to give the gallant
champion of freedom a reception fitting
his great talents, his stirring elOquence
his devotion to the cause of liberty.
Fort Leavenworth military reservation
= and escorted to his hotel, where he wa
received with speech OF welcome from
Col. Vaughan, to which he Responded
briefly, giving hasty but graphic
sketch of the republican party, thu
trials of free state men in making Kan
sas the home of liberty. and said tina
we We're about to enter upon a ina
battle for free institutions His speed
at Stockton hall in the evening wa
upon popular sovereignty and the in
consistency of democracy.
In an editorial. the Times says tina
its report was the merest outline of
speech which must be regarded as ont
of the authors ablest and best efforts
He made no display, and no attempt q
-OratOry, but gave home-bred truth in
home-bred style that charmed tn
hearts of his hearers. His noble Senti
rments carried conviction and arouse
enthusiasm, and he was greeted at il
saloss with cordial cheers