The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-10-07

When did our ten years war begin7
Our author points us to the last days OF
March, 1855, when a small army, compris-
ing some 5000 men, marched from the
State Of Missouri over its western boundary
into the ~neighboring Territory OF Kansas.
There had been, indeed, an earlier foray
in November, 1854, when a band Of Mis-
sourians crossed the border and voted for
the Delegate from Kansas to Congress,
one Whitfield, who. however. was not
opposed by the people OF the Territory.
That was a peaceful affair. though II was
a wrong, with a Nemesis lurking In II, wen
II for the present smothered. Now, how
ever, in 1885, the inhabitants OF Kansas
wanted a Legislature of their own, which
was their right, and a part Of the people Of
Missouri were determined to wr est the
right from them. There was, indeed, no
open proclamation OF war, and tho meri-
oan community in general supposed itself
20 be in possession OF peace at home and
abroad.
Still, here, crossing the border Of Kansas;
was the semblance Of a military organiza-
ton belonging legally to no State nor to
the United States, yet commanded by
Generals and Colonies and Captains and
accompanied by a train Of wagons contain
ing supplies Of ammunition, food and
liquors. The men, who were armed with
guns, pistols and bowie knives, had been
recruited chiefly from the western counties
Of Missouri, which also contributed the
main expenses OF the expedition, looking
upon themselves as the vanguard OF South
ern civilization in the great conflict plainly
approaching and ready TO break ont on
their frontier. No doubt could be enter
tanned concerning the immediate object
Of the invaders, for It was openly pro-
claimed. Their intention was TO seize the
lawmaldng power Of Kansas by violence
and then render their illegal acts legal.
Our author recalls that their leaders upheld
the plan by argument as well as by fervid
appeals to conscience and to eternal Justice.
invoking even the God OF Battles.
At the ensuing election; which took place
on March 80, although the voting popula-
ton OF the Territory was only about 5000.
according to a oensus taken q few weeks
before, $500 votes were cast; nearly four
fifths OF them by Missour1ans; who took
possession OF most OF the polling places.
ousted any recalcitrant Judges, and pro-
ceeded 10 accept their own ballots for their
own candidates. The result, ~naturaliyJ
was a complete triumph for the Missouri
ans, who chose themselves for Kansas legis-
lators. or the thirty-nine legislators
returned; Gov. Reeder, an appointee OF
the Democratic Administration OF Franklin
Pierce, gave certificates Of election to all
but seven. In the seven districts where
the ballots were thrown out, on account OF
Informalities too brazen to be overlooked;
a new election tool place, which resulted
in the choice Of seven Kansas Legislators
for Kansas, who, however, were soon un-
seated by the thirty-two Missouri members
a. usurpers OF tho sacred right Of Mlssou-
Hans TO make laws for Kansas.
Contemplating these events, our author
asks: is what was witnessed here q mere
local trouble, q border foray Of outlaws. or
was this spirit getting to be general In
the South? Was the ballot, the great Anglo
Saxon fundamentally for obv iatin9 vio-
lenoe, TO be set aside by violenoe1 Was
the majority no longer to rule In this coun-
try? II 90, war must come, since the means
Of all peaceful settlement between the con-
tending parties was broken into fragments
and scattered to the winds. Ominous Of
1851 was already 1855 in Kansas"
II is certain that many and loud were the
Civilizations In newspapers from Westport
in Missouri TO Charleston In South Caro-
lima over the successful invasion Of Kan
sas by Missourians. The event was hailed
as decisive OF the triumph OF slavery.
There we're protests, indeed, heard in
the South, some OF them pronounced. but
most Of them suppressed. There can be
no doubt that on the whole the South
eners made this deed Of their borderland
their own, approving it and setting IL up
for imitation. Throughout that section