Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-09-23


This document will very naturally excite a lively
interest at the present time. It was delivered at
Lecompton on the 18th instant. Governor Geary
says that, having deliberately accepted the Office
he is resolved faithfully to discharge its duties, ac
cording to the solemn oath which he has taken.
First, he rs required to take care that the laws
be faithfully executed" In doing this, he intends
TO make the Constitution Of the United States and
the organic law of the Territory his guides. The
provisions Of the latter he deems eminently just
and beneficial. It's leading feature, he says, is
that il "confers upon the actual and bona tide
Inhabitants of the Territory" the right in the
exercise Of selfgovernment, TO determine for them
selves what shall be their own domestic institu-
tions, subject only to the constitution and the
laws duly enacted by Congress under it," "A
doctrine go eminently just, he contends, "should
receive the willing homage OF every American
citizen" He next adverts to the condition Of az
fairs in the Territory, and says:
Various reasons have been assigned for this UNI
fortunate condition of affairs and numerous RENE
dies have been proposed The House of Repre-
sentatives of the United States have ignored the
claims of both gentlemen claiming the legal right
to represent the people of this Territory in that
body. The Topeka constitution, recognised by
the House, has been repudiated by the Senate.
Various measures each in the opinion OF its res
pective advocates suggestive OF peace in Kansas,
have been alternately proposed and rejected. Men
outside of the Territory in various sections of the
Union, influenced by reasons best known TO them
selves, have endeavored to stir up internal strife,
and to array brother against brother. In this
conflict of opinion, and for the promotion of the
most unworthy purposes, Kansas is left to suffer,
her people to mourn, and her prosperity is endan-
gered. Is there no remedy for these evils? Can
not the wounds of Kansas be healed and peace be
restored to all her borders?
Men of the North--men of the South--of the
East, and of the West, in Kansas--you, and you
alone, have the remedy in your own hands. Will
you not suspend fratricidal strife? Will you not
cease to regard each other as enemies, and look
upon one another as the children of common
mother, and come and reason together Let US
Danish all outside influences from our deliberations,
and assemble around our council board, with the
Constitution of our country and the organic law
of the Territory as the great charts for our guild
ance and direction. The bona 6de inhabitants Of
this Territory alone are charged with the solemn
duty of enactng her laws, upholding her govern
ment, maintaining peace, and laying the founda-
ton for future Commonwealth. On this point
let there be perfect unity of sentiment 1t is the
first great step toward the attainment of peace
1t will inspire confidence among ourselves, and in
sure the respect of the whole country. Let us
show ourselves worthy and capable of selfgovern-
ment.
Do not the inhabitants of this Territory better
understand what domestic institutions are suited to
their conditinn=-what laws are most conducive to
their prosperity and happinesE--thap the citizens
of dstantsoTeven neighboring States9 This great
right of regulating our own affairs and attending
to our own business without any interference from
others, has been guaranteed TO us by the law
which Congress has made for the orgapEatqn of this
Territory. This right of selfgoyernment-thi
privilege guaranteed to us by the organic law of
our Territory,-I will uphold with all my might,
and with the entire power committed to me. In
relation to any changes of the laws of the Territory
which l may deem desirable, have no occasion
now TO speak; but these are subjects to which
shall direct the public attention at the proper time.
The Territory Of the United States is the common
property of the several States, or of the people
thereof This being so, no obstacle should be in
terposed to the free settlement of this common
property, while in territorial condition.
The Governor next admits that the people Of
the Territory possess the absolute right" to
make their own municipal laws, while those citi-
zens who feel themselves aggrieved by recent
legislation have also the right to ask from the
and he earnestly asks suoh citizens, as they value
the peace of the Territory and the maintenance
of future laws, in the meantime to refrain from
all violation of the present statutes. He will con-
slider it his imperative duty to see that the pro-
visions of the Constitution Of the United States
are sacredly observed, all acts of Congress hav-
ing reference to the Territory unlesitatingly obey
ed, and the decisions Of the courts respected. He
pledges himself to do justice at all hazards, and to
know no party or section. He concludes with the
following just and patriotic sentiments
Fully conscious of my great responsibilities In
the present condition OF affairs in Kansas, must
invoke your aid, and solicit your generous forbear-
ance. Your executive officer can do little without
the aid Of the people. With firm reliance upon
Divine Providence, to the best of my ability shall
promote the interests of the citizens of the Terri
tory, not merely collectively but individually; and
shall expect from them, in return, that cordial
aid and support without which the government Of
no State or Territory can be administered. Let US
all begin anew. Let the past be buried in obliv-
ion. Let all strife and bitterness cease, Let us
all honestly devote ourselves to the true interests
of Kansas, develope her rich agricultural and min
eral resources build up manufacturing enterprises,
make public roads and highways, prepare amply
for the education of our children devote ourselves
to all the arts Of peace and make our Territory the
sanctuary Of those cherished principles which pro-
tect the inalienable rights of the individual, and
elevate States in their sovereign capacities
Then shall peaceful industry soon be restored
population and wealth win flow upon us; the des.
ertwil blossom as the rose" and the State of Kan
sas will soon be admitted into the Union, the peer
and pride Of her elder sisters
BALTIMORE CRY ELEcTIoN.-The Americans of
Baltimore nominated for the Mayoralty, last eve
ming, Thomas Swami, Esq., late President OF the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company. Mr.
Swami is one Of the most energetic men in the