Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-11-13
EX-GOVERNOR REEDER-GENERA
WHITFIELD-THE WASHINGTON
VNION.

EX-GOVERNOR REEDER-GENERAL
WHITFIELD-THE WASHINGTON
UNION, sc.
We publish to-day the correspondence which
has recently passed between ex Governor Reeder
and General Whitfield, in relation to the regu-
lar and irregular elections held in Kansas Ter
ritory for Delegate to Congress. Governor
Reeder, by formal notice, apprizes, General
Whitfield that he intends to contest his right
to seat in the House of Representatives, and
notifies him that dispositions will be taken at
certain times and places to prove the inva-
lidity Of the atters claim to his seat as Delegate.
The reply of General Whitfield is crushing.
1t is one of the strongest letters that these
times, SO fruitful Of letters, have brought forth
1t is not only tart and sarcastic but it is one of
the most conclusive, able, and satisfactory ex-
positions of the affairs of Kansas that we have
seen.
Governor Reeder has committed several
strange inconsistencies. After recognizing the
Legislature Of Kansas as legal body by COM
municating to it his official message, he turned
around, and denounced it as altogether illegal.
He now gravely informs the Delegate whose
election he means to contest, that he intends
to take dispositions before some Judge, JUS
tice, or other competent person." when such
officials are but the creatures of that very law
whose validity he has all along denied.
General Whitfield sketches Governor Reeder's
career in Kansas with bold pencil. Although
brief not one feature essential to complete the
startling picture is omitted. 1t is manifest
from the tone and temper Of the letter that
General Whitfield is determined "at all haz
yards, and to the last extremity to maintain
his position as Delegate elect from Kansas.
We turn now from this letter to notice an
other act in the stirring drama which ex. Gov.
ernor Reeder is performing before the coua-
try.
When our readers cast back but few
months and consider the relations Of close DO
litical and personal intimacy that existed be-
tween Governor Reeder and the Administra
tion, and Governor Reeder and the Washing.
ton Union, they will no doubt be surprised TO
learn that be has become bitter foe where he
he was fast friend, and unsparingly de-
nounces, now, those whom he named only in
words Of affection, then. He lately delivered
speech at Easton, Pennsylvania, where he re.
sides, on the occasion of complimentary de-
monstration which was gotten up for him BY
his friends and neighbors. We End the speech
reported in the New York Times, and shall
proceed to make a few extracts from it.
After defending himself and mis- party from
the charge ofabolitionism. he says:
Strange as it may seem, however, find in
the Presidential official organ of October, some
Of these assertions and inuendoes calculated
and intended TO pervert and mislead and
which, in justice to my associates and myself,
/ cannot allow 10 pass unnoticed
81 am grati6ed at the fact that one of its
editors was absent from Washington at the
time Of the publication, and as to its author
ship all who know the character and habits Of
the Chief Magistrate and the close supervision
which he gives TO his official organ will believe
with me, that the article was either written or
supervised by himself Among many other
things which il might be pleasant and profitable
to notice, If time admitted the organ saws:
Notwithstanding the present associations Of
Governor Reeder we are not disposed to credit
the charge that he was unsound when appoint.
ed. we believe he was national man then,
whatever he may have become now.'Y
The hrst thing that strikes me, although il
creates no surprise, is the cowardice of the
inuendo, which carefully avoids any distinct
ayerment or specification, and leaves everv
hole open for escape. In whatever sense Il NAV
be understood, however, as charging any act
or declaration, or the entertaining Of anv sent;-
ment at war with my former wellknown politi.
cal opinions, / pronounce it untrue, and defv
the proof No such proof has been or can be
produced. Bot let us retrospect a little TO IN.
derstand that point. In order to conciliate the
men who repudiated and trampled upon the
Kansas Bill, by the invasion Of our polls, the
President made vacant an Office which had
been conferred without solicitation, and which
could surrender without regret"
Again, says the Ex-Governor:
"My present associations seem distastefu
to the President, and are sneered at through
bis organ. If by this is meant the Free-Statt
Party OF the Territory Of Kansas, / can only
say OF the active men Of that party, that per
sonally, morally, and mentally, worse men car
be found in higher places. Politically, men
must be judged by the principles they profess
and for their creed, which have read you to.
day, reported by Col. J. III. Lane, late member
Of Congress from Indiana, an associate and
supporter Of the Administration in carrying
the Kansas bill, ! am willing to be responsible
Here is another Of those sad evidences OF
the instability Of political friendships, about