The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-01-25

Kansas. While this work is primarily
a life of Charles Robinson, it is also
q history of the early days of Kansas.
Governor Robinson was one of the
heroic men who flung down the gaunt-
let on the rolling prairieS of Kansas
Territory and defined those who would
rfvet the shackles of human slavery on
the empire to be erected west of Mis-
souri, Those days constitute the heroic
age of Kansas. Interest in the terri
torlaf period viii increase with time
The history of Kansas is glorious all
along its half century of existence; but
the first six years monOpOliZe now, and
will continue to monopolize, the atten-
\ ton of historians The later history is
an account of the conquest of the soil,
the buildings of homes cities and rail-
ways; the early history is made up
largely of the annals of the collision of
antagonistic ideas of the functions of
government-of the contest here for the
mastery between the reactionary ten
denotes of slavery and the assertion OF
the awakened conscience of the nation
that human liberty should become a
reality in all America
The fathers of Kansas We're poor in
this worlds goods but rich in the con-
seriousness that they were battling for
eternal justice. 1t is glorious thing
to have stood in deadly peril for human
rights Some day when Kansas stops
to realize the sacrifices, privations, and
dangers through which her founders
passed ample and complete justice will
be done their memory. The present
book in an attempt to do what one man
may do to honor an active participant
and recognized leader in those days
when men fought nobly though the bat
tie swayed and victory was uncer tain
Governor Robinson came here from
Massachusetts, the leader of the men
sent out by the Emigrant Aid company.
The settlers had already met in con-
vention, that institution dear to every
Kansan, and resolved to stand against
slavery The company settled and
founded Lawrence, and that town was
md nd rod
other town of the land ever was. But
she rose from her ashes, from her DESC
lation, from the very grave filed to
overlooking with her best and bravest.
and held aloft the torch of liberty in
MANNED and bleeding hands. The brave
men and noble women We're unconquer-
able. Such courage is sublime. And it
triumphs. The history of Territorial
Kansas will remain inspiration as
long as our race lives in America. And
here we have much of it elegantly pre-
pared and placed in our hands.
Professor Blackmar is well qualified
to write on the subject he has chosen.
He has long been close student of
general history His work in the Uni
versity of Kansas has been along lines
often dipping down to the very founda-
lions of history and all government. He
has made the history of Kansas a spe-
c1al study, first because it fascinated
him as it must any lover of supreme
justice, second because our state is his
home He knew Governor Robinson
collection of private papers and early
documents. And not the least quaIifi-
cation is the true historical instinct, en-
abling him to drive straight for the
main facts and discard such as might
be subordinate or unimportant- His
book is strong and full of viriie qualities
from beginning to end. He is in earn
est every good writer must be. There
is trifiing. no discrimination The
book is like the man Of whom it is
written. full of direct and rugged
strength There is little effort at liter
airy polish. and it is we'll that it is So
He has a story to tell and he plunges
into his subject with that fact upper
most in mind that makes his book worth
reading. There is no padding for effect |
He is honest with himself and the SUBJ
ject of his work; that is another fact
that makes his book worth reading He
has the true conception of biography,