There are many Free-soilers in this county—­brave men—­who have no conscientious scruples to hinder them from arming themselves, and preparing to repel force with force.  The Border Ruffians sought by a system of terrorism so to intimidate the Free-soilers as to prevent them from organizing a Free-soil party, or even discussing the subject of freedom and slavery in Kansas.  They carried this to such an extent of outrageous violence that it came to be currently reported that it was as much as a man’s life was worth to say in the town of Atchison, “I am a Free-soiler.”  We deprecated violence, and wished a peaceful discussion of the subject.  It was therefore most fitting that a man whose profession forbade him to go armed should put to the test of actual experiment whether an American citizen of blameless life could be permitted to enjoy the right of free speech—­the privilege of expressing views favorable to making Kansas a free State—­such views being uttered without anything of angry, abusive or insulting language.  It was for this purpose the above words were spoken, and which have been the cause of all my troubles in Atchison.

If there is any class of men who stand behind the curtain and pull the wires, we would respectfully represent to them that it will do no good to urge these understrappers on to these deeds of violence and ruffianism.  We are not a class of men to utter childish complaints at any wrongs we may suffer, but we know our rights and intend to have them.

Subscribing myself the friend of all good and civil men, whether North or South, I am very truly, PARDEE BUTLER.

CHAPTER XIV.

We have already told how Sheriff Jones failed to wipe out Lawrence; how Gov.  Shannon patched up a peace, and how that, in no good temper, the “Law and Order” party returned to the border.  But immediately the Free State party gave evidence that its spirit had not been broken.  A convention had been called to meet at Topeka, in November, 1855, to frame a free State Constitution, and this was ratified at an election called December 15 following, 1,731 votes being cast in its favor, the election having been held only one week after the treaty of peace had been made.  Then in less than two weeks a second convention was called to meet at Lawrence, at which a full board of State officers was nominated, the election having been set to be held on the 15th of January.

At Leavenworth, the attempt to hold the election resulted in such mobs and tumult that it was forbidden to be held by a faint-hearted Free State mayor, and was consequently adjourned to Easton.  The Free State printing press of Mark Delahay was, during these troubles, destroyed.  At Easton, a mob undertook to break up the election, but was driven off, and in the affray one of the attacking party named Cook was mortally wounded.  Then the Kansas Pioneer, published at Kickapoo, made an inflammatory appeal to the “Law