Mr. Reeder, in response to his nomination, made a most moving and feeling speech. The following is the closing of it as reported in the proceedings of the meeting:

"He spoke long and eloquently upon the importance that no rashness should endanger the Union we all love and cleave to. He did not consider the correct publie sentiment of the South as indorsing the violent wrongs which had been perpetrated by Missourians in our Territory, and that being so, he waited to hear their rebuke. Should it not come, and all hope of moral influence to correct these evils be cut off, and the tribunals of our country fail us, while our wrongs still continue, what then? Will they have grown easier to bear by long custom? God forbid that any lapse of time should accustom freemen to the duties of slaves, and when such fatal danger as that is menaced, then is the time to

"Strike for our altars and our fires,

Strike for the green graves of our sires.
God and our native land.'

"As he paused there was for an instant a deep silence as when a question of life or death is being considered—every man drew a long breath, but the next instant the air was rent with cries, Yes, we will strike,' 'White men can never be slaves,' 'Reeder! Reeder! Nine cheers for Reeder and Right! During his speech he had been constantly interrupted by shouts and shaking of hands, but now the enthusiasm was ungovernable; the crowd gathered around him with the warmest greetings."

A committee of three was appointed to wait on Governor Shannon and present him a copy of the proceedings of this meeting, composed of General S. C. Pomeroy, Colonel J. II. Lane and Geo. W. Brown.

The Delegate Convention to consider the expediency of taking preliminary steps towards forming a State Constitution with a view of applying for admission into the Union, assembled at Topeka on the 19th of September, and continued in session two days. New elements had been worked into the Free State party by this time in consequence of the liberal spirit pervading the Big Springs convention, and

other excellent gentlemen are found co-operating in the State movement, such as H. Miles Moore, M. W. Delahay, &c. The first day was consumed in organizing. On the following morning a committee of eighteen was appointed to set forth in an address to the world the grievances of the people of Kansas. In the afternoon the following resolutions among others were unanimously adopted:

"Therefore, Resolved, By the people of Kansas Territory in Delegate Convention assembled, That an election shall be held in the several election precincts of this Territory, on the second Tuesday in October next, under the regulations and restrictions hereinafter imposed, for members of a convention to form a constitution, adopt a bill of rights for the people of Kansas, and take all needful measures for organizing a State government, preparatory to the admission of Kansas into the Union as a State.

"Resolved, That a committee of seven be appointed by the chair, who shall organize by the appointment of a chairman and secretary. They shall keep a record of their proceedings and shall have a general superintendence of the affairs of the Territory so far as regards the organization of a State government, which committee shall be styled "The Executive Committee of Kansas Territory.'

"Resolved, That said convention shall be held at Topeka on the fourth Tuesday of October next, at 12 o'clock M. of that day."

Colonel James H. Lane was made chairman of this Executive Committee, and J. K. Goodin secretary. The other members were C. K. Holliday, M. J. Parrott, P. C. Schuyler, G. W. Smith and G. W. Brown.

22

CHAPTER XVIII.

FREE STATE MOVEMENTS-CONTINUED.

The People's Proclamation," signed by most of the qualified voters of the Territory, was issued, calling an election on the second Tuesday of October, to choose a delegate to represent them in Congress. After prescribing an oath for the judges and the qualifications of electors, they referred the details and control of the election to the Executive Committee appointed by the Convention at Topeka.

Immediately followed a proclamation, emanating from the chairman of this Executive Committee, calling for an election of delegates to the convention for forming a State Constitution, on the same day that the election for delegate to Congress was held, and prescribing the usual regulations for an election.

The question of forming a State Government and resisting the enactments of the bogus Legislature, was the allabsorbing topic of conversation in those days. It was discussed in numerous local conventions, talked over at home gatherings, preached from the pulpit and mingled in petitions to God. Pious men prayed, and wicked men swore, over it; politicians plotted and patriots thought. All other business, all other channels of thought, were for the time abandoned, and the watchword became, "A FREE STATE OPPOSITION TO TYRANNY BY PEACEABLE MEASURES FIRST; WHEN THEY FAIL, BY FORCE." It was a question of as

serious concern, and as deep interest, to the Squatters in Kansas as that which affected our Revolutionary Fathers in the dark days when it "tried men's souls.”

It was argued and confidently felt that if the settlers would harmoniously enter upon these measures, that Congress would recognize their action as the legitimately expressed will of the inhabitants of this Territory; would repudiate the Shawnee Legislature and its proceedings, admit the delegate of the people to Congress, and receive them into the Union under the constitution of their own making. And they had good reasons to expect such a result if justice had not entirely abandoned the legislative halls of the nation. Their actions were certainly in accordance with the true spirit of Squatter Sovereignty. Their constitution was such that even the liberal minded slaveholder would not object to it, except that it did not perpetuate slavery in the State. Their actions and declarations of principles were extremely conservative. And even the great champion of Squatter Sovereignty, Hon. S. A. Douglas, afterwards admitted that it was the greatest blunder of his life in not favoring their petitions.

The election of delegate to Congress, under the appointment of the Shawnee Legislature, took place on the first of October. There being no other candidate, General J. W. Whitfield, who had been nominated at Shawnee Mission while the Legislature was in session, was unanimously elected, and received certificate of the same from Governor Shannon. There were, at least, as many as two thousand illegal votes polled at this election, making two-thirds the total number cast. The Missourians took but little interest in it, as they knew that the free state men did not intend to contest it.

Governor Reeder was unanimously elected for the same position by the Free State Party. He received twenty-eight hundred and sixteen votes. In several precincts no vote was allowed to be taken. Pro-slavery men did not partici

pate in the election, and offered no disturbance, except in a few places.

About this time occurred an amusing incident, to the chagrin and disadvantage of the people at Leavenworth. The bogus Legislature, among the many things it did, had divided the Territory into counties; but in consequence of the hurry and burden of business, had neglected, in several instances, to locate the county seats, which was the case with Leavenworth County, and accordingly an election by its citizens was called to decide that question. There happened to be three rival towns which contended for the honor of the county seat. Two were intensely pro-slavery; Kickapoo, about ten miles above, and Delaware, eight miles below, Leavenworth. Both were prospectively great in the eyes of those interested at that time, but both have long since ceased to be known. Leavenworth contained a majority of free state men, with a large minority of pro-slavery men; but by being situated so near the border, the latter generally ruled. Its citizens, of course, all desired the county seat, and confidently expected it. They, therefore, made but little effort at the election, feeling that their local interest would poll the majority of votes in favor of their town. The other two contestants knew their cause was hopeless in a fair election, but they resolved to profit by their recent instructions in ballot box frauds. The matter was laid before the people of Platte County, among whom Leavenworth was reputed as an "abolition stink hole," and they agreed to help their friends across the river in this dilemma. On the day of the election Leavenworth polled about five or six hundred votes, all legal. Between Weston and Kickapoo a steam ferry boat was kept running all day, pouring in voters from Missouri, until they polled at the latter place eight hundred and fifty ballots for the county seat; whereas the total number of legal voters in that precinct did not exceed one hunand fifty. At Delaware they went still farther. Besides conveying voters across the river in a chartered steamer for