402 
Indiana U niv ersity 
almost as profoundly as did the policy of the Republican party 
toward slavery in the Territories and the election of Lincoln 
to the presidency.'^® 
Not many people reached Kansas during 1854, but a con- 
siderable number arrived during the spring and summer of 
1855. The process of building a civilization began, and also a 
conflict between the free-state and proslavery elements. The ji 
year was a disappointment because of the failure of the ex- [ 
pected numbers to appear, because of the bitter political war- |; 
fare that arose, and because of the long and severe drouth ' 
that prevailed during the summer. | 
The year 1856 was one in which the incoming tide of 
settlers was greater, and the climatic and crop conditions better ' 
than in 1855.^^ It was the year of the most bitter conflict | 
in the Territory, of the most intense agitation in the country, 
and of the most angry debates in Congress. The defeat of | 
James Buchanan by the new Republican party was almost i 
accomplished. 
In 1857, the people of the new Territory were really pros- 
perous. There was much greater freedom from violence and 
lawlessness than in 1856. More colonists arrived than in 
any other year before the Civil War. Towns grew, speculation 
was rife, and many people looked forward with high hopes 
to the future. Political strife continued. Constitution-mak- 
ing absorbed the energies of leaders and attracted the atten- 
tion of Congress and the country. However, these activities 
did not interfere greatly with economic and social progress.^® 
The year 1858 was disastrous.^® It was then that the effects 
of the panic of 1857 reached Kansas in full force. Fewer 
colonists arrived. Prices of property dropped. Business de- 
clined, and farmers could not sell their crops. The people 
became discouraged, and many left the Territory. Conditions 
did not improve much if any until the period of the War.®® 
See William O. Lynch, “The Convergence of Lincoln and Douglas”, in Transactions 
of the Illinois State Historical Society (Springfield, 1925). 
These statements concerning the years 1854, 1855, and 1856 are based on the 
reading of newspapers of the Territory of Kansas, especially the files of the Kansas 
Free State and the Herald of Freedom for the years mentioned. 
Kansas Weekly Herald (Leavenworth, Kan.), April 11, 1857; Herald of Freedom, 
April 11 and 18, 1857 ; Richard Cordley, A History of Lawrence, Kansas (Lawrence, 
1895), 143. 
Ibid., 162; Herald of Freedom, June 5, July 10 and 24, 1858. 
Topeka (Kan.) Tribune, September 3, 1859 ; ibid., July 21, 1860 ; Weekly Western 
Argus (Wyandott City, Kan.), March 21, 1860. 
