The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1855-10-20

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Oct. ".
Another Letter fr0m Governor
ShannOn-I1is Indignant Deni-
nj Of that Infamous SANDER
cOncerninR his WestpOrt speech.
ExEcurIvK oTrcE, Oct. 9Th. lS5b,t
SHAWNEE Mission, X. t.
Mr.. GRAY-DEAH SIR:-I have this mo-
ment received from the Belmont Chronicle,
the Whig paper published in st. Clairsville,
in which you are quoted as ihdorsing the
correctness Of that miSerdHs and infamous
caricature of speech that am represent.
ed as having made at Westport. am tru-
ly surprised and mortified that you would
lend your name to. give currency to this
base fraud. You ought. at least, in justice
to me, have waited until you could have heard
the truth from this Territory, and not relied
on information of its accuracy derived from
the East.
Now, sir, in the few remarks made at
Westport did not discuss the subject Of
slavery in any shape or form. expressed
no opinion in regard to slavery, either in
Kansas or out oft; nor have | in any speech
that I have made since left home, uttered
one word on the subject Of slavery, unless to
say, 'that was a subject l woull not dis
cuss.' The Abolitionists and anti-Admin-
istration papers in the free States are deter
mined to have Gov. Reeder turned out of
office by Gen. Pierce, on account of his
Free Soil views, and that he was turned
out to propitiate the South, or the slave pow.
er as they term it. In order to give force to
this assault on the Administration it was
absolutely necessary to represent his success
sor as strong pro-slavery man, and sent
out to uid the South in making Kansas q
slave State. 1t would not do to say Gov.
Reeder was turned out on account OF his
Free Soil views, and that Free Soil man
had been appointed as his successor. Hence
it was necessary to make me not only pro-
slavery but slavery propagandist. This
has been the policy Of these papers, and
was denounced by Editors as an advocate
Of slavery; and sent out to aid the South,
before left home, when knew that these
Editors had not the most distant idea as to
my views on the subject Of slavery. My
spesch at the Shawnee Mission has been
correctlyS published having furnished q
copy myself for the press. My speech
at Westport was not materially diff.
ferent, and number of the same persons
were present on each occasion. Westport
is in sight OF the Kansas line, not exceeding
a mile directly west is situated the Shawnee
reserve, extending west thirty and south
twenty-five mile. On this reserve no white
man is allowed to settle except at this Mis-
sion, which is two miles from Westport, and
the Mission of the society of friends. The
consequence if that the whole of the west
ern and southern portions of Kansas and
south of the Kansas line transact large
portion Of their busines in the town of West
port. 1t is almost the only place they
have to transacta large portion of their bus
mess. In business point of view West.
port is more Kansas than Missouri town,
and it is the place where nearly all persons
going up or coming down necessarily stop.
The evening I stopped at Westport there
were large number of gentlemen in, town
from various portions of tbe Territory, and
it was these gentlemen with some of the
citizens of Westport tina: called at the puo-
lie house at which l stopped to give me q
reception in the country; and it was in res
ponce to this call that made the few re-
marks did on that occasion.
deem 1t proper to make this explanation
as much has been said about my stopping in
Missouri and addressing the citizens of that
State, In addressing mixed company as
that was-composed of citizens residing on
ca ch side OF the line, took occasion to
make what considered then, and still think,
were merited remarks on the kindness and
HOSPITALITY of the citizens of western Mssou-
ri. To some, know, such remarks ore
considered the same as the advocacy of slave.
ry; perhaps worse, but trust that party
spirit will not become so blind as to entirely
forget the common courtesies of life.
have to ask you to do me the favor &c
publish this letter in your paper. To the
citizens Of Ohio arm under lasting oblga
tions-obigations which on my part car
never be forgotten. / am ambitious t
have their good will and good opinion, ant
should deeply regret to be deprived of eithe