Studies in American History 
393 
than the Free State, but the editor of this paper, William G. 
Brown, also recognized the small part played by the East 
in the Kansas struggle in the matter of numbers. “Our 
western people”, he wrote, “understand pioneer life, and know 
how to prepare for it. They come to remain, and are rarely 
seen beating an inglorious retreat.”-"’ The failure of eastern 
emigrants to arrive in great numbers as expected was offset 
by “the daily arrivals overland of large covered wagons from 
Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, etc.”, in which were “packed 
all the paraphernalia of the farm and fireside, ready for 
distribution in their proper places as soon as a claim is 
selected”. 26 
In the spring of 1857, the following indirect tribute to 
colonists from the West appeared in the Herald of Freedom: 
Two years ago when emigrants came to Kansas they lived mostly in 
wagons and tents, till they had time to build a cabin. . . . The people 
who stood the tents, the sod houses, wigwams, fever and ague, and the 
Missouri invasion are here yet, but the fancy emigrants are gone. They 
generally came as far as Kansas City, or Lawrence, stayed over night, 
and returned. This class of immigrants generally had the credit of 
coming from Massachusetts. But last week we saw a veritable live 
Hoosier, homesick, and returning after one night’s stay in Lawrence 
because he could get no cream for his coffee."^ 
Persons from both sections who were in the Territory and 
who were greatly interested in the outcome not only made 
strong appeals for more colonists, but condemned those who 
were always ready to agitate, or who could be stirred up by 
agitators, but who failed to do anything for Kansas. Early 
in the contest the Kansas Free State asserted: 
We have never yet known of anything connected with the extension of 
slavery that aroused the North, especially if it was attended with a 
little pecuniary expense. . . . The wealthy and distinguished lovers of 
freedom at the North can not be aroused if it is going to cost them a 
quarter; whereas, a poor Missourian, not worth $100 in all, will spend 
one half that in coming to Kansas to vote the proslavery ticket. It is 
the part of the North to boast, it is that of the South to act. ... If 
they [people of the North] can make anything pecuniarily by making 
Kansas free, they are in favor of it but not otherwise.-^ 
The editor concluded his sermon to the North by the follow- 
ing challenge: 
25 Uerald of Freedom, May 12, 1855. 
26 lUd. 
Ibid., April 11, 1857. 
28 Kansas Free State, April 7, 1855. 
