The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-09-21
Arrival Of Gov. Shannon in Kansas.
MS RECEPTION At wEsTPoRT, NO. - HIS
SPEECH AND PLATFORM.

Correspondence ofthe ST. Louis Democrat
WEsTPoRT, Mo-, Aug. 81, 1855.
Governor Wilson Shannon. Mr.. Reeder's
successor, arrived at Kansas City this morn.
ing. General and Mr.. Speaker Stringfel-
low, Messrs. Waiierson, Weddel, Forman,
Rees, Blair and other Kansas Legislators,
met and were introduced 10 the new Gov.
ernor, VINO satisfied them that he was like.
ly 10 prove rs efficient and coIdial coop.
orator with The regulators rs could have
been selected fion The free States, even II
hlchison, or his most devoIed disciple had
been the elector instead Of tho Prcsiden, o!
the United States.
Ater dinner committee Of gentlemen,
residents Of Westport, accompanied by act
ing Gov. Woodson and two or three MEM
bers Of tho Legislature, rode down TO Kan.
sas City, visited the Governor nj the Ameri-
can Hotel, where no pu, up, and invited
him TO return with them. He rode with
Them TO Wesipoit.
In the evening he was serenaded, and
called out 10 address the audience, who had
gathered around the steps Of The hotel.
Gov Shannon Began his remarks by
thanking the audience for their courteous
reception. II gra,ifed him, he said, not
because il was personally hai,cring, bu, be-
cause il showed him that they were not dis
posed 10 decide OH his official career in adj.
vance. II showed him that no nigh, rely
on "yUur aid" in endeavorins to overcome
obstacles, which he was aware existed, but
hoped were not unsurmounlable.
A Voice.-Yes, you shall have our aid.
He regretted 10 sec in certain portions Of
The Territory disposition 10 nulify ",he
laws which have been enacted by your Leg.
islaiuie.n This was q revolutionary move
ment which was greatly 10 be deplored.
He regretted. no said, that he had arrived
loo late 10 form the acquaintance OF the
members Of the Legislature. Ho knew
nothing Of the laws passed by them, but
from the ability and patriotism Of the gen.
ilemen who composed u, he doubted not
that they were wise and judicious. But,
aven ifihey were not wise and juJicious,
open resistance and notification Of them
was not the proper way 10 defeat their pro-
visions. II they were unconstitutional,
there were Courts 10 appeal 10, which had
been created for the purpose Of deciding
such questions.
As to the Legislature that recently adj
journed, at the Shawnee Mission, he re-
garded II as q legal assembly (cheers,) and
though. that the objection 10 is power
grounded on lis removal from Pawnee, was
pner!le, as every Legislature enjoyed the
RICH, Of removing the seat Of government
al pleasure. The Executive and Judiciary
Of The Territory had acknowledged Tie Leg
islaiure rs legal body, and so would he.
Good. He regarded the law rs binding
on every citizen of,he Territory, and would
use all his executive power and authority
to carry them into elect lCheers.) Ho
said he did not intend 10 address them on
them on tue various questions that divided
the parties in the Territory; perhaps no
did no, understand them and no had not
expsc,ed 70 speak on this occasion. To
one subject, however, he would sllude-
slavery. His official life and career were
no, unknown 10 portion, at least, OF tho
citizens of Kansas. He had no intention OF
nping his political faith. He thought,
with reference 10 slavery, that ns Missouri
and Kansas were adjoining States, as much
of iha, immense commerce up the Missouri,
which was already rivalling The commerce
between The United States and some Euro
mean countries, must necessarily lead 10 q
eress trade, and perpetual intercourse be-.
tween them, Il would be we'll II their ia.
s,itutions should harmonize -as otherwise
there would be continual quauels and bor-
der feuds. He was for slavery In Kansas.
loud cbcen.
Amer thanking tho audience, the new
Governor Withdrew.
Gen. Whitfield spoke neat His speech,