Story of the Battle Hymn of the Republic

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1916. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... II THE CRIME AGAINST KANSAS Border ruffians from Missouri carry Kansas elections with pistol and bowie-knife. They prevent peaceable Free State emigrants from entering the national territory -- Dr. Howe carries out aid from New England -- Clergymen and Sharp's rifles -- Mrs. Howe's indignant verses -- She opens the door for John Brown, the hero of the war in Kansas -- Gov. Andrew, Theodore Parker, Charles Sumne The attack on Fort Sumter -- "The death-blow of slavery." assaults by the serpent of slavery on J. the free institutions of the North and East were dangerous enough, yet, like other evils, they brought their own remedies with them. Such an open attack on free speech as that on Sumner was sure to be resented, while the forcible carryingoff of fugitive slaves under the shadow of old Faneuil Hall aroused a degree of wrath that even the pro-slavery leaders saw was ominous. "The crime against Kansas" was still more alarming because it threatened to turn a free Territory into a slave State. In 1854 the Kansas and Nebraska bill had been passed, repealing the Missouri Compromise and exposing a vast area of virgin soil to the encroachments of the "peculiar institution." The Free-soil men were speedily on the alert. During that same year of 1854 two Massachusetts colonies were sent out to Kansas, others going later. But the leaders of the slave power had no intention of allowing men from the free States to settle peacefully in Kansas. They had repealed the Missouri Compromise with the express purpose of gaining a new slave State, and this was to be accomplished by whatever means were necessary. It was an easy matter, to send men from Missouri into the adjacent Territory of Kansas--to vote there and then to return to their homes across the Mississippi. The New York ...