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the State, and denied the sovereign power of Congress over the Territories. The movement, like the effort to organize the Republican party, was a failure, the free state men regarding it as an effort on the part of the pro-slavery men to retain their power and control. But, nevertheless, like the Republican effort, it gave direction to public sentiment and around its ensign, around which had rallied the Ruffians of '55 and '56, rallied the free State Democrats of '58.

But these primary attempts to reorganize the old national parties in the Territory, gave shape to public sentiment. New comers arriving, knew nothing about the old organizations, and readily fell in with the new. In fact, by the spring of '58 there were more new emigrants than than those who were here during the troubles.

In the spring, therefore, the people were ready for the organization of these two great national factions. A strong effort was made by some to preserve the unity of the free state party. A convention was held at Big Springs on the 12th of May, 1859, and an attempt made to rally to its standard free state men, and reorganize the other forces of old party. They passed a resolution that it was the duty of all free state men, as in '55, to eschew minor diffierences and political distinctions, and unite upon the broad platform of laboring together to make Kansas a free State. But the effort was vain. The free state party, like the Topeka Constitution. was buried in the place of its birth. It had been a power in its day, but, having served the purpose for which it was created, it was abandoned.

It is worth observing that those who most strongly condemned the adherents to the Topeka Constitution were themselves the tenacious adherents to the free state party. While, on the other hand, those who favored putting the Topeka government in advance of the Territorial Legislature, on failing in this object, endorsed the Leavenworth Constitution, failing again, triumphed in organizing the Republican party.

The Democratic party, composed chiefly of those who affiliated with the pro-slavery party, perfected its organization at Lecompton on the 11th of May, 1859. They neither endorsed nor condemned the Administration, but adopted the principles of their party as enunciated by Jefferson and Jackson. They denounced the Lecompton Convention movement, were for excluding free negroes, &c.

The Republican party was fully organized at Osawattomie the 19th of May. Horace Greeley was present and made a speech. The convention adopted resolutions condemning the Administration and opposing the extension of slavery, but did not assume the radical and partisan character which Mr. Greeley desired.

There was but little difference in the platforms of the different parties. The slavery issue-the great national issue-was not at all applicable to Kansas politics, as it had long before given up the contest. The organization of these parties was the inauguration of that confusion and personal bitterness that has always characterized Kansas politics. Her early troubles attracted to her soil men of talent and ambition. Never could a new Territory boast of so many able and enthusiastic young men. The troubles had made them querulous; when these had subsided each one was ready to cast everything aside that stood in the way of his aspirations. No party nor principle could carry them through, for there was little distinction in parties; they were but in their infancy. Office-seeking, therefore, became a personal strife, an individual contest between men of equal merit and ability.

The Territorial Legislature convened at Lecompton on the 3d of January, 1859, and on the following day adjourned to Lawrence. A. Larzalere was elected Speaker of the House, and C. W. Babcock President of the Council. This body was composed of more experienced and efficient men than its predecessor. They applied themselves knowingly and earnestly to their work. A committee was ap

pointed to codify the laws, who reported from time to time during the session for the action of the Legislature. In their final report they say: "The enactments of 1855, known as the 'Bogus Statutes,' have been supplied, and are ready for repeal-a consummation long looked for and earnestly desired by a large portion of the people of the Territory. The general laws of 1857 are ready for the same fate. The laws of 1858, to which we were confined as a basis, have been revised and supplied. The code of civil procedure remains substantially the same."

On account of the treaty made by General Denver at Fort Scott in the spring, he became unpopular with the Democratic party, and in consequence of this, the Administration being unable or unwilling to sustain him, he resigned in October.

In December, Samuel Medary was appointed Governor. He was a native of Ohio, and formerly editor of the "Ohio Statesman." On the accession of Mr. Buchanan to the Presidency, he was appointed Governor of the Territory of Minnesota, which position he filled until it was admitted into the Union as a State. He was then made postmaster at Columbus, Ohio, from which he was transferred to the Governorship of this Territory. He was a man of ordinary ability, and a devoted follower of the Administration. He remained Governor until after the State was admitted into the Union, and resigned a short time before the State Government went into effect.

CHAPTER XLVIII.

TROUBLES IN SOUTH-EASTERN KANSAS.

The difficulties in south-eastern Kansas continued, notwithstanding the treaty effected by Governor Denver. Personal encounters, neighborhood broils, thieving and robbing were in no way abated. It would require a volume larger than this to contain a full account of the many frightful rencounters, horrid outrages, and shocking murders that belong to the history of that part of the Territory. I can only give a brief sketch of leading items of a general character, and leave the others for the writers of biography and romance. From the fall of 1856 the whole of south-eastern Kansas was in constant state of excitement, overrun by predatory bands oppressing free state men, who would rise in mass at times, and retaliate upon pro-slavery settlements for harboring the Ruffians. This would be followed by other acts of retaliation, and thus a continued tumult, or civil war, prevailed.

Soon after the treaty, two free state men who had some horses stolen by a party of maurading Missourians went over into Missouri in hope of recovering them, and when near Papinsville were taken prisoners, led into the woods. and shot. They were left for dead, but one, though badly wounded, finally reached his home in the Territory. The settlement on the Little Osage was visited by a second foray of Missourians and plundered, shortly after the above occurrence. Secret societies were formed among the pro

slavery men for the purpose of assassinating the leading characters whom they feared. In accordance with this plan, Montgomery's house was assailed by about thirty men. They secreted themselves near the cabin, and when the door was opened, fired a volley of buck-shot into the room, some of which burried themselves in a bed on which was lying Mrs. Montgomery and her child, while others specked the surrounding walls, but fortunately injuring no one. The door was instantly closed, lights extinguished, Montgomery and Kegai flew to their arms and stood by the port-holes of the cabin, eagerly peering out into the darkness for the enemy. The Ruffians dared not show themselves, and judging from the silent darkness of the room that Montgomery was prepared for them, they evidently thought best to retire. After various attempts of this kind, Captain Montgomery gave his boys privilege to operate against the enemy in their own way, who soon cleared the country of these roving bands, and in some instances severely chastised them, although he himself remained at home, still observing the terms of the treaty.

Next followed the arrest of Marshall, one of Montgomery's men, on an old writ issued before the treaty. This highly incensed his neighbors, who reported the affair to Montgomery, and solicited his interference. He immediately wrote to Marshal Campbell that this act was a breach of faith, demanded the release of Marshall, and intimated the consequence in case of a refusal. The prisoner was instantly raleased.

During the summer, emigrants arrived in vast numbers from the free States, and prosperity began to dawn upon this unhappy people. Comparative quiet reigned, with the exception of some robbing and stealing, though hostile feelings still rankled in the breasts of many settlers.

Slavery clung to south-eastern Kansas with a tenacious grasp, in order to preserve for its heritage the broad and fertile lands included in the Indian Territory. Whenever it

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