January 29, 1861 (Tuesday)

The Sunflower State, Kansas, admitted
as the 34th State of the Union

The Statehood of Kansas:  Today, January 29, 1861

"The admission of Kansas into the Union creates considerable enthusiasm among all political parties.  One hundred guns were fired today by order of the Republican Central Committee, to celebrate the event in Leavenworth."  (News from Kansas, New York Times, January 30, 1861)

"It seldom happens in real life that poetic justice has such a striking manifestation as in the wonderful drama which has been in continuous progress on the prairies of our westernmost frontier for the past six years, and which has now at length closed finally and gloriously in the admission of Kansas as a Free State. 

The five acts of this historic drama may be epitomised thus:  The foundation and organization of the Territory amid the wildest national and Congressional storms -- then the rush of pioneers from all sections and States -- next, the struggles of the ballot, ending in a warfare of bullets --  then the contest of the four Constitutions -- and lastly, the triumph of the State over all factions and her entry as a co-equal into the great North American family of States.  We know indeed that, in the end, the triumph of Truth and Justice is the inevitable solution of all historic problems; but it is fortifying, when events, in which we may almost be said to be actors, add assurance to our faith in the living reality of these principles.

No State in the Confederacy has a more glorious destiny in prospect than our youngest sister of the West.  Located in the geographical centre of the continent -- with a population made up of elements the most varied and vigorous, combining in and admirable mosaic...with institutions as free and elastic as the air of her prairies; with a soil which, in ordinary seasons, is fertile beyond even the possibility of harvesting; a healthful climate, a noble central river navigable almost to her western boundary, and the great Missouri on her eastern frontier -- the young State starts on the career of empire after having had a training in the school of adversity which has given strength to its character and consistency to its courage.  With the Pacific Railroad binding her to the East and the West, the Galveston Railroad connecting her with the Gulf, she will be in union with every section, and the maintenance of the Union will be for her a vital necessity.  As a central pillar of the States, she will, in case of necessity, do her full share in upholding it. 

It is devoutly to be hoped that all those internal struggles which have heretofore wrought the Territory such glory and shame, will now and finally cease.  She is now safe forever from black Slavery, and Missouri raids, and the enmity of Administrations.  Let the dead bury the dead.  Let the bygone contentions and acrimony be forever sunk into oblivion.  Let the bold pioneers...now direct their powers to the building up of the State. 

Though an unparalleled drought has visited her this year, and brought famine among her people, yet let them take courage.  The vine will again blossom on the warm southern slopes and the joyous prairies bear their perennial burdens of sorghum, and corn, and wheat.  The Winter weather has been favorable; the soil is in fine condition to receive the seed the coming Spring, and the hearts of her farmers are reviving."  (The New State of Kansas, New York Times article, January 30, 1861)