Page:The Collected Works of Theodore Parker volume 6.djvu/287

274 forgotten the conduct of Mr. Douglas, of Illinois. Massachusetts yet remembers the behaviour of Mr. Everett. It is rather difficult to find all the facts concerning this Kansas business; lies have been woven over the whole matter, and I know of no transaction in human history which has been covered up with such abundant lying, from the death of Ananias and Sapphira down to the first nomination of Governor Gardiner. Still the main facts appear through this garment of lies.

II. The second step was to give the new territory a slave government, which would take pains to organize Slavery into the land, and Freedom out of it. So the executive appointed persons supposed to be competent for that work, and, amongst others, Mr. Reeder, of Easton, in Pennsylvania, who was thought to be fit for that business. But it turned out otherwise: he became conscientious, and refused to execute the infamous and unlawful commands of the executive. Finding it was so, the President—I have it on good authority—tried to bribe him to resign, offering him the highest office then vacant—the ministry to China. Governor Reeder refiised the bribe, and then was discharged from his office on the pretence of some pecuniary unfaithfulness. Mr; Shannon was thrust into his place, for which he seems to the manner born; for—I have this also on good authority—his habitual drunkenness seems to be one of the smallest of his public vices.

III. The third step was to establish Slavery by squatter sovereignty. For this, two things were indispensable: (1.) To elect a legislatiire friendly to Slavery ; and (2.) To get laws made by that legislature to secure the desired end. 1. This must be done by actual settlers; and then, for the first time in this career of wickedness, a difficulty was found. The people were to be consulted; and no coup d'etat of the government could do the work. There was an unexpected difficulty ; for, soon' as Kansas was open, great bodies went there from the North to settle and secure it to freedom. It soon became plain that they were numerous enough to bring squatter sovereignty itself over to the side of humanity, and, by their votes, exclude bondage for even That must be prevented by the regressive force. Mr. Atchinson, Mr. Stringfellow, and others were appointed to take the matter in hand. Citizens of Missouri organized