Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-06-25
SPEECH eF GOV. REEpER.

at receiving so cordial and generous a welcome
among city Of strangers, but, nevertheless,
realized that it was more for the cause of Kan
sas that the assembly had gathered thar from
nything personal to himself. He hoped that
these feelings would grow and become general
all over the North, and result in making Kan
sas Free State. He then contrasted the
peaceful, prosperous and happy condition of
| people in the Free States with the condition
of the oppressed and down-trodden people Of
Kansas, where they had neither the freedom
of speech, of suffrage, or opinion, nor the right
| to make laws by which they should be COVER
ned. He said all the rights guaranteed by
the Constitution to the citizens of the United
States had been stripped from the free settlers
of Kansas. The rights which our forefathers
fought for and shed their blood to secure, the
rights which made our Government the model
| republic of the world, all which makes life
| dear, all for which We claim pre-eminence,
had been desecrated, and the citizens of Kan
sas were now holding out their hands TO their
friends of the North for assistance,and protec-
tion. He asked if the citizens of the North
would stand calmly by and see them robbed
I
which they craved. He said that the acts of
the ruffians in Kansas had been so ruthless, so
far beyond all precedent that an exaggeration
of the facts was impossible. Murder, rapine
and plumber had stalked through the land, and
the condition of things there was difficult to
be realized. He asked the attention of the
assembly He came not for to make political
capital for any party, nor as the orator of any
candidate, but simply as tho relator Of the
| wrongs of new and promising land. He
said he hoped to awake the sympathy Of all
classes in behalf of that Territory. In his po-
litical life it was well known he had been a
working Democrat, and that helped che hoped
God would forgive him) to elect the present
Administration. He found many of those
now working against him who formerly had
stood shoulder to shoulder with him in the
same party He said if any of them were Of
slow faith in the wrongs which had been heap
ed upon that Territory, he asked their atten-
tion while he would give them the evidence OF
an eye witness. He said that he had no mo-
tive to misrepresent the affairs that had there
transpircd, and if there was anything requir-
ing explanation, he ready to answer all
ded. He said that Kansas alone was of vast
Importance to the Union. But 1t was not on
ly for Kansas that this was being waged.
There is beyond that Territory region enough
for six States large as Pennsylvania. AS
one goes, so all will go. 1t is contest for
all of these States for twelve Senators in
Congress, who will override the North, and
usurp the freedom OF every State In the Union.
But this is not all. Further South is New
Mexico, which will, by these proceedings be
isolated from the North, and come into the
Union under Slavery auspices, and the North
will not be allowed to put hand upon the first
foot of that Territory as il comes into the u
nion. He said it was, then, contest for the
empire of almost continent. The South
knows the value of this State. Once they get
Kansas, and the die is cast, and all the States
thereafter admitted falls into their hands,
Cuba, Sandwich Islands and Nicaragua are
looked forward to, and once in, the South
has the rule. Then what have you to expect?
The past shows what the future will be, and
those who beat down and murder your citizens
to gain the power, will rule in the same way,
and if great care is not taken, the North will
IA shower of rain broke in upon the speech
and the assembly adjourned to the market
building, and Gov. Reeder mounted table
and proceeded].
When order was again restored he procee-
ded to say that the great contest was not to be
looked upon alone in its aspect of political
preponderance, but in far more important
issue. Kansas is rich country, well adapted
to the purpose of the farmer; intended By
God to be the home of the free white man
who lives by the sweat of his brow. a land
where, when our Northern country becomes
filed by immigration and increase, they can
go and lay the foundation of their future
homes. The laboring classes of the South
can't use it. No Slave State is full or ever
will be. They do not want it for the glory of
our Government, but for political power
They seek to destroy its usefulness, and di-
vert it from the North, by which the free la
borer OF the North will be bowed down. Ev
cry laborer is interested, because when our
States of the North become crowded, those
who emigrate TO new lands benefit themselves, |
while they benefit those they leave behind
He asked what would be the condition of the |
laborer here at the North, if Slavery, overri- |
ding all limits was introduced here. Gould |
the free laborer live beside the Slave Would |
he submit to the-out rage upon his rights p
He said unlessa check was placed upon this
propagandism that the tims would comet
might not CONS to-day or to morrow, but IL !
will come, and all will have solemn intsrest