Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-09-18
From the Missouri Republican.
SPEECH OF GOVERNOR SHANNON.
SHAWNEE MANUAL LABOR School,

To-day his Excelency Governor Shannon ar
rived here, accompanied by large number of
citizens from Westport. The Hon. o. H.
Browne welcomed him in the name of the citi-
zens Of Kansas, in the following address
Governor Shannon: In the name Of the people
Of Kansas, ! am proud 10 welcome you 10 our
prairie home. Coming from every State in the
Union, from almost every civilized country on
the globe, the people of Kansas have mingled
their sympathies, combined their energies, TO pro-
tect our infant Republic. Kansas, the offspring
of Missouri, the hope and pride Of America, will
ever initiate the excellence and rival the beauty
of her illustrious parent. When you grasp the
hand Of our pioneers, you may trust your honor
in their custody. With them, the gentle pres
sure of the hand attests tie cordial welcome Of
the heart. We have no Catilines here-no ank
and hungry Italians, with their treacherous
smiles no towards, with their stilettocs-no as
sasins of reputation Here man walks abroad in
the majesty Of his Maker lie brcathcs the pure
air, suryeysthe beauties, and reaps the products
Of nature His heart expands with gratitude
and devotion. The morning prayer is heard on
every hill-the evening orison is chauted by the
glad tenants of every valley and glen. What
earthly power can retard the progress OF such a
people They must be great-great in their
triumphant destny-great in all the attributes of
sovereign power. la the name Of such a people,
welcome, Governor Shannon.
To which the Governor, with much modesty
and dignity, replied in the following manner:
Sir: For the very friendly reception | have
met with on the present occasion, beg leave to
tender TO you, and through you to the citizens Of
Kansas you represent, my thanks. In entering
upon the duties Of the responsible Office 10 which
have been appointed, il Is highly gratifying 10
me, TO find much good feeling prevailing
among the citizens Of the Territory. Coming, as
you do, from almost every part Of the civilized
al,
modes Of thinking, il must be expected that there
will be some conflict Of opinion in settling the
policy which is 10 control the destinies Of THE
Territory. But while many differ in opinion on
questions Of public policy, the object Of all, il il
to be hoped, is the same-the advancement Of
the best interests Of the Territory. BY respecting
the opinions and even preiudces Of each other
and cultivating social feeling, we will soon
harmonic, and learn to act together for the be-
neht and advancement Of our highly favored
country. Looking at many Of the public papers
~ the States, one would be led TO believe
that Kansas the scene Of lawless con-
fusion and disorder No greater error could lie
committed. will not crticise the motives that
have induced these unfounded representations,
but will say-bccause | believe il TO be true
that there is not more law-abidinE people in the
United States than the great mass Of the citizens
Of Kansas. There il no State in the Union
where person and property are more secure than
III WIS ltIIlOTJs nat some irregularities NAV
have taken place in the heat and excitement Of
first election, is true; but they sink into utter in
significance when compared with the bloody riots
that have characterized the elections in some Of
the States, and lawess m0bs that have dtsrraced
some Of our large cities. While the latter have
received but a passing notice from the public
press, the former have been held up to the World
as enormities without precedent. This j. All
wrong, and calculated % prejudice the best in
terests Of the Territory, by lettering a large and
respectable class Of emgrants from coming among
rs. J duly appreciate the warm and generous
feelings that have ever characterized our hardy
intelligent, and enterprizing pioneers in the
West. il has been my lot 10 have mingled much
with them in the course Of my life, and have
always found them true and warm-hearted friends
and patriotic citizens come amongst you, not
as mere adventurcr, seeking TO better his for
tune, and then return home; bot one desiring,
for himself and family, a permanent locations
and Il shall be my highest ambition to devote my
humble efforts to the promotion Of the best in
terests, happiness, and prosperity Of this Terri
tory. To accomplish these objects we will all
admit that government Of law and order is abb
solutcly necessary. We all feel the impor-