Kansas weekly herald., 1855-07-14
The GOrer.mOf.'s .Ness0ge.

Or a. II. REEDER, In all Its amplitude, to
the first Territorial Legislature o. Kansas,
and would commend it to the careful and
attentive perusal of the public.
Communications of SO public bearing,
and enanating from SO elevated Func-
,ionary, are at all times interesting to the
public, but coming, as this does, from Sc
infamous an officer and notorious a specu-
lator as Andrew H. Reeder, we are great.
" inclined to think it Will be read with far
greater interest and avidity than it would
otherwise command. Though we are not
disposed to attempt the part of the cratique
In ana:omiz:ng the message,we cannot with
propriety, or conformity to established Gus
tom, allow its publication to go forth without
evoking some comments from us. In COM
menting upon it we shall endeavor to write
with all the conciseness { but not with the
elegance) of Tacitus, and shall make only
such brief comments as propriety may sug-
gest or the importance of the subject de-
mand.
The Governor in the outset Of his mess
age very appropriately and sensibly urges
upon both Houses of the Legislature the
necessity of ascertaining and determining
what laws are in force in our Territory be-
fore proceeding to Legislation. This ques-
ton must necessarily be decided, before
our Legislators can proceed with the enact
ment of laws. Before 1t can be known what
laws are needed for the good government
of our people, a research must be entered
into and an investigation be made to dis
cover if we are in the absence Of all law,
OF else what laws are in force over our
Territory. Before the remedy is applied,
let the disease be known.
The Governor himself is of the opinion
that we are at this time provided with an
ample code of laws for the punishment of
offences of every grade. He assumes the
position that the laws of the Territory of
Indiana-the laws Of the Territory of Lou
isiana-the laws of the Territory of Mis-
souri-the common law are still in force
over Kansas. This position he sustains
only by the hypothetical supposition that
the severed portion OF a Territory remains
subject TO the laws Of that Territory of which
1t was component part previous TO the
severance. If this be true, then are the
laws Of the Territory of Indiana-the laws
of the Territory of Louisiana-th laws ol
the Territory of Missouri-the common
law still in force over our people-the
country now known as Kansas having been
subjected successfully to the codes of all
the aforesaid Territories. Upon the subject
OF the existence Of law in Kansas, there is a
wide diversity OF opinion. Some of oul
most eminent jurists and learned men have
advanced their opinions that there is virtu.
ally DO law In Kansas, and have sustained
such opinions by much sound aud logical
argument. We do not think the reasoning
OF Reeder to show that we are already sup.
piled with a code Of laws is by any means
clear or In any way conclusive. His con.
clusion is arrived at by the assumption o.
hypothesis, the truth and infalhbility o.
which is neither substa inflated by him or ad
mitted by the public. We ourself do no
believe there is any law-save the Divine
LAWN Kansas; but even admitting tha
the old Territorial statutes of Louisiana
and Missouri are in force in this country
they are no doubt defective in great meas
me and viii need many notifications anc
much remodeling to make them sound, op
erative and effective.
The remarks of the Governor in relation
to the status Of our Territory are sensible
enough, but rather too liberal for so fanat
ical an abolitionist. He endorses the grea
feature Of the Nebraska Kansas Act, ant
believes Squatter Sovereignty the grea
principle OF Republicanism! He express
es himself decidedly in favor of our insti
tutions being moulded by our own citizen
rather than by the citizens of ether States
In this sentiment we are disposed to ques
tion the sincerity of the Governor, when W
recollect that he has, ever since his Undue
ton into Office, rendered all possible al
and comfort to the Boston Aid Societies
that have been importing paupers into thi
Territory, continually since its organization
for the special purpose Of controlling OF
Institutions Had Gov Reeder been oppo.
ed to ocf institutions being formed by tn
citizens Of other States, We can hardly b.
heve he would have connired and prost
tutcd his office to the internal machinatior
oi the New England Aid Societies.