I am an old man, and it is right you should hear me.

I was born in Virginia, and have lived many years in Missouri.

I am a slaveholder, and desire Kansas to be made a slave State, if it can be done by honorable means.

But you will destroy the cause you are seeking to build up.
You have taken this man, who was peaceably passing through your streets and along the public highway, and doing no person any harm.

We profess to be 'Law and Order' men, and ought to be the last to commit violence.