Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-08-18
GOVERNOR REEDER.

The removal of Governor Reeder by the
President, meets with the almost unanimous
condemnation ofthe untrammeled portion of
the Press in Pennsylvania. What we mean
by the term is applied to those who do not
hold office, or have any favor in expectancy
either for themselves or friends, from the
government The President has exhibited
lamentable want of firmness in suffering such
southern frc-eaters as Gen. Davis, Of his
cabinet, to control him in such matters, and
thus implicitly sanction the lawless conduct
of the Missouri ruifians who Over-ran the
territory Of Kansas and overawed the free
people of that territory at their elections by
placing pro-slavery men over them against
their consent.
Governor Reeder was too independent to
become the tool or minion of these southern
agitators, and because he had the frmness
to resist them, the President had the weak
ness to remove him, although there can be no
doubt but that his own honest convictions
coincided with those of the Governor. This
accords with the following from the Easton
Argus, democratic paper that uniformly
sustained the administration, published at
Easton, the home of Governor Reeder:
"Irreproachable rs a man, eminent as a
| lawyer, national in his views. the President
with good reason felctated himself upon
having ''lonnd the right man for the right
place." The compensation of the Office was
inconsiderable, while the semi-barbarous life
on the Western frontier presented nothing
but aversion to one who only mingled in soci-
ETY. to adorn it-with no taste and no desire
for public Office, We repeat it, only at the So
l.citation Of the President, was Gov. Reeder
induced to accept the appointment He went
proudly, independently, untrammeed simply
! to do his duty. How well ard too faithfully
he performed it the whole enlightened world
can testify. Because that invasion and out
rage were rebuked-because that he pro-
claimed his intention to protect the citizens
of Kansas in their right of franchise, and de.
clared that while he was Governor "law and
order should reign"-the insensate fanatics OF
Missouri and their ultra Southern sympathi.
zers denounced him as an abolitonist and Q
tyrant, and pursued him with ferocity as
disgraceful as it was unjust. Immediately
after the first election held in Kansas, one
after another of the Missouri invaders called
upon the President and filed their complaints
against the Governor, charging him with neg
lect of his official duties, illegal speculation:
in lands. &c. We state upon authority thai
cannot be disputed, that President Pierce a
that time told friend, 81 am satisfied that Coz
Reeder possesses frmness, honesty and capaci
ty, and man ,cho has these three qualities
don't often get rrong." We happen to know
too, that our Chief Magistrate gave Gov
Reeder repeated personal assurances that HI
approved Of his course and ,could hare actet
precisely as he did in the same position" ]
the President was sincere in his assurances
OF approval why did he not manfully sustain
him Why did he not take the responsible
ty," and boldly stand by him in his efforts Il
preserve the purity Of the ballot-box and t
maintain the principles of RIGHT? 1t is, to sa.
the least, discredltable position for the Chic
Magistrate of this great nation TO occupy
But the enemy were on his path and bent oi
his destruction, renewed the silly charges O
illegal land speculations, which on investiga
tion were proved TO be as groundless as tn
others, and it was with reason to be expecte,
that having been found without blemish, III
President would have been only too glad t
have sustained and supported him."