44 
KANSAS. 
whose presence is at all times near me, but with peculiar vivid¬ 
ness to-day ; of the duties of life, especially of those resting upon 
us in this age, when the spirit of liberty, of manliness even, is 
giving way before the increasing thirst for gold, which is the god 
of this country. I have watched the new and varied phase of 
those noble trees across the river. How the leaves grow ! How 
the rain-drops glitter like gems, as the sun, with clouds passed by, 
shines out brilliantly again; and as the bow of promise spanned 
all, this thought, like it, was born of the sunshine and the shower. 
We are passing through hours of imminent danger to the liber¬ 
ties of the country. “ The old landmarks have been removed,” 
and “ men have framed mischief by law.” Yet, serenely above all 
these commotions, this treachery, this fraud of man, holding the 
seals of justice, sits God upon his throne. And out of all, in his 
own good time, he will again bring the reign of righteous men, and 
the laws of our country shall have for their basis love and truth. 
Give us courage to act when the hour calls for action, and faith 
to wait when endurance is our cross. We in Kansas can see with 
clear vision the workings of this hydra-headed monster, whose seat 
is at Washington, and whose power emanates therefrom, and whose 
unholy name is Human Slavery. 
May 2d . — i£ Old Gray ” is lent to a friend to-day; so we lose 
our intended ride. Mr. S. brings us a basket of eggs from the Dela¬ 
ware country. We are beginning to get more articles which seemed 
essential in house-keeping at home, but which are difficult to get 
here, as many people are ready to take them the moment they are 
brought in. Many of the new comers neglect to provide them¬ 
selves with the staples of life at Kansas city; so, as soon as flour 
and groceries are brought in here, they take them back into the 
country, leaving us a continual dearth. Somehow, by the happy 
genius of invention, of which long ago necessity was acknowl¬ 
edged the mother, we have always had enough of the good things 
of this life, and have most faithfully followed the last clause of 
the injunction which the rich man in Scripture lays to his soul, 
“ eat, drink, and be merry” 
Mr. W., the old gentleman who acts for us in the capacity of 
prime minister of all work about the house, in the occasional 
