One year before, these conspirators had assembled an army to drive out the Free State settlers, and to give the Territory into the hands of the South; but Gov.

Geary had interfered to thwart their purpose, and, what was worse, a majority of the leaders of that army, men of note along the Missouri border, had declared themselves in sympathy with Mr.Geary.Then they had asked for a Southern Governor, for would not he be true to the South?
And now even this man had failed them, and had given the control of the Territorial Legislature into the hands of the Philistines! They were indeed in evil case.

It seemed as if heaven and earth had combined against them, and that only hell was on their side.

One last chance remained.

If this was a desperate chance, it must be remembered they were playing a desperate game--they would make Kansas a slave State in spite of the Governor, in spite of the Territorial Legislature, and in spite of the people of Kansas..