Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-08-01

Governor Reeder's Testimony
The New York papers are publish.
ing the testimony of Gov. Rseder as
to his removal from the Office Of Gov.
ernor Of Kansas. We regret that our
space will not allow us TO publish il in
full. II most clearly convicts The
President Of attempting to bride the
Governor. and Of finally removing him
on pretended grounds only.
From this shtementit appears that
President Pierce IA formed Gov. Reed
er, in personal interview Ia the
Spring of 1855. that the most urgent
demands had been made for his remo-
val--and that "Gen. Aichison pressed
il in the most excited manner. and
would listen to no reasoning at all"
He further assured him. after full ex-
plantations had been made, that he was
perfectly satisfied that his purchases
Of town lots were all right. and that
all his proceedings in Kansas met his
entire appreciation. At subsequen.
interviews he repeated these assuran-
ces. --declsring his conviction that
his whole course had been perfectly
proper. and thatthe complaints brought
against him were wholly without foun-
dalton. But. as the same time. in
consequence Of the pressure upon him
from Gen. Atchison and others, he de-
sired Gov. Reeder to resign his Office.
He endeavored to work upon his fears.
saying that it would b, unsafe for
him 10 return 10 Kansas. that his
life might be taken, and that The whole
North would be inflamed. Finding
these hints Intellectual. and that Gov.
Reeder would hot resign. he then pro-
posed TO remove him. in way to OBJ
viate all bis objections, asking him to
send him memorial upon the sibject
and promising. In his letter OF remoy
al. to place il entirely upon grounds
Of expectancy. 10 exonerate him from
all blame. TO express the most unqual-
lied appreciation Of his official con
duct. and to give him the Mission Ia
ChinaI Finding that this last engage
,nent could not be kept, In consequence
of Mr.. McLane's intention not to re-
turn. he promised to give him some
other Office. equally or more desira-
BILE. A good deal Of time was con-
sumed in these negotiations.-ths
President himself preparing drafts o.
letters which he, wished Governor
Rseder TO sign. and the latter declin'
ing to sign them because they were
evidently intended to put him in the
attitude Of conserving 10 his own re-
moval. The result Of the whole was
q declaration, on the part OF the Pres
ident, that IL he removed him II would
be, not on account Of bis official action
but Of his land specula,ions. -thos,
very acts Of which he had preyiousl,
expressed his entire approval.
In all this President Pierce was en-
deavoring 10 obtain colorado pre-
text FOR doing an act, which his owl
Judgment condemned. but which lh'
Pro-Slavery propaganda required a
his hands. Mr.. Atchison had deman
ded Reedcr's removal;-the Presiden
had promised il;--and the next qucs
ton was, how il could best be done
He sought to inlinidate.--.hen t
coax. and finally 10 bride Governo
keeder into consenting 10 his own re
moval. This is but one Of thousan'
) instances where the patronage Of III
Government has been used directly q
promote the designs Of the slayeboldinI
interest. The disclosures made in thi
testimony Of Governor Reeder consic
President Pierce OF a degree Of pusil
luminous subscrviency and Of unprin
J cipled treache'y Of which even his bes
friends hitherto have not deemed hiu
capab!e. "a