108

GOVERNORS PLENTY AS BLACKBERRIES. [1858.

RESOLVED by the Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Kansas:

That we do hereby for the last time solemnly protest against the admission of Kan sas into the Union under the Lecompton constitution.

That we hurl back with scorn the libelous charge contained in the message of the president of the United States, to the effect that the freemen of Kansas are a lawless people.

That relying upon the justice of our cause, we do hereby in behalf of the people we represent, solemnly pledge to each other and to our friends in Congress and in the States our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor to resist the Lecompton constitution and government by force of arms, if necessary.

That in this perilous hour of our history, we appeal to the civilized world for the rectitude of our position, and call upon the friends of freedom everywhere to array themselves against this last act of oppression in the Kansas drama.

That the governor be requested immediately to transmit certified copies of these resolutions to the president, the speaker of the House of Representatives, the president of the Senate, and our Territorial delegate in the Congress of the United States.

Though a Buchanan democrat, Denver proved more fair and just than any previous governor of Kansas. During the rebellion he was a brigadier-general in the Union service; and the thriving metropolis of Colorado still perpetuates his name.

One of the last deeds of the legislature was a statute authorizing a new constitutional convention which in due time formed the Leavenworth constitution. There were now four goverments, all claiming authority: the Territorial; and the three State governments under the Topeka, the Lecompton, and the Leavenworth constitutions-all awaiting ratification by Congress.

Infant constitutions are proverbially weak, and none of these three State governments ever gained vitality. Ultimately, Kansas came into the Union under a fourth constitution, framed at Wyandotte. But all these governors, beside three or four beheaded executives of the Territory were called by their titles. Governors were as plenty as blackberries and quite as cheap. Almost every prominent citizen held office in one of the conflicting organizations, and some in all of them. All public positions were sought for with eagerness. As they brought neither power, honor, nor emolument, their value was hardly appreciable, unless to remind some new Burke what shadows we are and what shadows we pursue,

1858.]

AN IMAGINARY CITY.

109

CHAPTER IX.

IN May I went on a tour through Johnson county, from which during recent disturbances, several Pro-slavery settlers had been driven into Missouri. Reports as to the origin and character of the difficulties were as conflicting as the stories of the notorious liar described to Dr. Franklin. 'A very pleasant fellow' said his eulogist, although you must not believe more than half he says." 'Exactly,' replied the philosopher; 'but which half?'

เ

On my route was the abortive little village of Turpinville, which irreverent settlers called 'Turpentine.' It consisted of three or four wretched shanties with little trade except in whisky by the glass. But recently a town company had been formed, the named changed to Johnson City, and a magnificent plan printed, with streets, avenues, and public buildings in imposing array. One day a wistful young immigrant, carpet-sack in hand, approaching the shanties, asked a farmer by the roadside,

'Can you direct me to Johnson City?'

'O, yes! there it is.'

'Where?' inquired the stranger, whose eye slowly and blankly swept the horizon.

'There; right before you!'

With long-drawn sigh the young man went away sorrowful, for he had not great possessions. He had made a small investment in the town upon the assurance that it contained thirty-three houses with thirty more in progress, property rising and prospects bright. He paid less for his knowledge than most victims, and thereafter listened not to the voice of the charmer, charm he never so wisely. Just before my trip a marauding Free State band visited a settler at midnight and inquired his politics. Supposing them to be

110

'WHAT ARE YOUR POLITICS?'

[1858,

Missourians he declared himself Pro-slavery. They took his horse and departed. Afterward learning that he was a Free Soiler, they tied the animal to a tree, where he found it with a note pinned to the bridle, containing the wholesome injunction. never to tell a lie at ninety days, when he could tell the truth for cash! Another unfortunate fellow, just arrived was stopped by an armed band who demanded his opinions. He answered: 'I am a Free State man.'

His interlocutors, being Missourians, robbed him of his watch and money and departed. Before noon he encountered another company who made the same inquiry, but he promptly replied: 'I am Pro-slavery.'

This time the marauders, who loudly professed to be Free State

men, took his horse and departed. Just at night while journeying on foot, he was met by a third party who asked the old question. The be wildered traveler re plied:

'What are your poli tics? It makes no difference to me: I agree with you perfectly!'

He was not further molested.

In a field beside my road two men were planting corn. Near them, hands in pockets, lounged a third, tall and gaunt, eyes bloodshot, nose red, hair long and matted, beard ragged,

and one cheek distended by a great roll of tobacco. He inquired gruffly:

'Whar are yer from, stranger?'

1858.]

FREAKS OF POLITICAL HIGHWAYMEN.

'Ohio. Where are you from?'

111

'Old Kaintuck. I reckon thar'll be a smart fight right soon; and like to know whar every man hails from.'

'Did the fight begin the other night at your neighbor's who was robbed and warned out of the country?'

'No sir; them fellers was just a pack of d-d thieves. They did'nt care any thing about politics-only wanted old Evans's money.'

'Did they molest you?'

'Nary time. They knew better.

I have got twelve Missis

sippi rifles, seven bowie knives, and six revolvers up in my house. Six of us stops thar, and if they come near us we will kill every mother's son of them, by -! I have got ten niggers in old Kaintuck; did'nt dar bring them here; will sell them next year, and hire poor white men. If they won't let me have black servants, I will have white ones, by —!'

I afterward learned that the marauders did visit this Bombastes Furioso only a few nights before, and he proved the meekest of non-resistants, begging them to spare his life, and a little of his whisky.

I found Olathe, the county seat, under military guard; and public sentiment throughout the county universal against the robbers, who under political pretexts, were plundering promiscuously. Before many weeks the citizens effectually suppressed

them.

Returning, I took the Lawrence road, and at nine in the evening sought lodging in a little white cottage, to find it occupied by a brawny Indian. He answered my greeting:

'Umph! what um want?'

'Want to stop over night. Where?'

His long, bony finger pointed down the road, and he muttered: 'Um-good woman-big house.'

'How far?'

'Um-mile-two mile-half!'

The next building was a log-house. After I had tapped several times upon its door an anxious voice from within asked:

'Who's thar?'

'A stranger. Can you keep me to-night?'

112

'Are you alone?'

'All alone.'

NOT MUCH ROOM LEFT.

[1858.

A pair of eyes peered through the crack to reconnoiter; then

a whole head

was visible, and the door slowly opened.

'Come in stranger. Sorry to keep you waiting, but thar's so many gangs prowling the country that we have to be cautious at night.'

The only room of the little cabin contained three beds, all filled with slumberers. Despairingly asked I: Could they accommodate me

for the night?

The prairie pa

triarch, whose unkempt head loomed up like a bundle of hay above his long night-shirt, replied:

'I wish I mought, but the fact is, stranger, we are about full here! However, thar's the Widow C, half a mile from here, who always keeps travelers.'

To the Widow C's I rode, and tapped on the door. A masculine voice promptly replied:

'Halloa! who is it!'

'A traveler: can you lodge me?'

'I reckon,' was the terse reply.

Eureka! I had found it. I was placed in the old house hard