Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-09-04
REMEMBERING SLAVE DAYS.

hENEMbkhlNG SLAVE DAYS.
The people Of Osawatomie, Kas., have
Just been celebrating the hfueth ami
yersary Of the battle fought at that
place as one OF the prelimnaries Of the
great struggle that came later for the
liberation Of the colofed slaves In this
country The accounts OF the celebra-
ton say that thousands Of visitors were
/ On attendance, ahJ that many promi-
nent men were present. Vice President
Fairbanks among others. The pro-
gram Included a sham battle by troops
from Fort Leayenworth. and speeches
by the Vice President Senator Chester
j. Long. Governor Hoch. and others.
The battle OF Osawatomie was fought
/ between force of Missourians est.
| mated at from 800 20 1000 men. ana
John Brown with his little band OF
| forty.one The town was destroyed.
OF the Mlssourlans 81 were killed and
about 30 were wounded. Among John
I Browns losses was his son Frederick
who vas not taking any part On the
conflict and ala not Offer any resist
| ancc Nevertheless he was shot dead
by a party Of pro-slayery scouts who
we're led. according 10 some accounts.
/ by q preachg named white. Tn,
preachers, strange 20 contemplate,
seem TO have been very active "a the
border disturbances in The early days.
when blood flowed, aud many Of them
were on the side Of the oppressors Of
their felIow-men.
When California was admitted 20 the
Union. the slave states turned toward
the plains Of Kansas Tor the restoration
Of the equilibrium. As the country
was but sparsely settled it became the
scene OF conflict between the East and
South. representing liberty and slavery.
respectively. The question was as 10
from which part Of the country the
greatest number Of settlers should
come After a contest Of immigration
that had lasted for two years, the
vote for freedom still prevailed
Then, Il Is claimed. fraud was re-
sorted 10 IN behalf Of slavery. II Is |
stated that Missourians came over
10 Kansas I'm great numbers. remained !
day or two, voted and returned to
their homes. They even brought with
them their friends from the south Il Is
said. who also participated In the cleo
tons This continued Tor two years.
and when 1856 rolled around, force be-
gan 10 be used on both sides. Lawrence
was attacked and partially destroyed.
MIssouraus came over to Kansas with
their guns and Kansas went over into
Missouri Both committed acts Of yio-
lcnce and crime.
John Brown came to Kansas az that
time of agitation lie was bitter foe
OF slavery and always ready 10 defend
tho cause Of liberty. Naturally he took
a prominent part IN the conflict raging.
and an effort is now being made. IL
seems, 10 transfer to the battle Of Osa-
watomle the importance generally at
tached 10 the affair at Harpers Ferry.
John Brown is a peculiar character
In American history. He was duly
convicted Of murder and treason. but
he met his fate like a hero, and the
time be spent IN Jail before his death,
he manifested so many good qualities
that he won the respect OF all who
knew him. He had burning desire 10
do something for the abolition OF slav-
ery but he was an unruly spirit 10
whom American methods seemed too
slow, II not Ineffective altogether. 1t is
admitted that he. in giving his life
Tor his principles proved TO the slave
states that slavery was no longer safe.
When people are willing TO die for a
righteous principle the opponents Of
that principle had better prepare for
defeat And John Brown proved that
here were aboltlonists to whom right
eous principles were dearer than life
ITSELF That was one OF the services
he brought to the great cause Of liberty,
and It Is all right TO remember
him and his life, even II some OF the
methods he employed cannot be an.
proved