The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1856-09-24
JOB WORK.
Peace Restored in Kansas:
INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF GOV.
GEARY,
Delivered at Lecompton, Sept. Ilth, sc

A. - sAH1O Aof a AObOA " oNoiS oi
you as Governor of the Territory ofKan
sas. The position was not sought by M
but was voluntarily tondered by the
present chief magistrate of the nation.
As an American citizen, deeply concious
of the blessings which ever flow from
our beloved Union, 1 did not consider
myself at liberty to shrink from any du-
ties, however delicate and onerous, re.
quired of me by my country.
With q full knowledge of all the cir
cumstances surrounding the executive
Office, i have deliberately accepted it,
and as God may give me strength and
ability, I will eudeayor faithfully to dis
charge its varied requirements. Whom
/ received my commission I was solemn
ly sworn to support the Constitution of
the United states, and to discharge my
duties as Governor of Kansas with fdel-
ity. BY reference to the act for the Or
ganization of this territory, passed by
Congress on the 30th day of March,
1854, / find my duties more particular
ly defped. Among other things I am
Ito take care that the laws be faithful
ly executed"
The Constitution of the United States
and the 01rgahis Law of this Ter
ritory will be the lights by which l will
be guided in my executive career.
A careful and dispass;onate examina-
tion of our Organic Act will satisfy any
reasonable person that its provisions
are eniuently just and beneficial.
The great leading features of that Act
is the right therein conferred upon the
actual aud 6Onu file inhabitants of this
territory in the exercise OF self gov
eminent, to Gctea mine for themselves
what shall be their own domestic i:.sti-
buttons, subject e,iy to the constitution
aud the laws daily cnacted by Go .grc$s
nudcr it," The people, accustomed to
s.lf.govcrnment ia tie STATES from
whence they came, aud baying removed
to this territory 18th tie bO"n J5ds IN
tuition of making it their future. resi-
deEce, were supposed to be capable Of
Q eating Il err own LII lniciPai govern
ment, md to be the best judges Of their
nwH iocal-nece~sitics ard INSTITUTIONS
This is what is termed "pnpular spvcr
eighty" By this phrase W. simply nIcaiI
the right of the mfs5o iiy o; the people of
the scecrai States AID Territories, being
Qualified electors, TO regulate their owG
aouacs ic concerns, and to make their
own MANIFESTATIONS. Thus understood,
tI6s doctrine uHderlies the whole system
pLePubiicaa- government. 1t is the
great right of self-governmeHt, for tbe
establishment OF which our aDe, stors iu
the stormy days of the revolution. plydg
ed their lses, their furtui.es, aud
fheit sacred honor.h
A doctrine 81 amI,anflr iuet elouIJ |
receive the willing homage of every
american citizen. When legitimatcly
expressed and dEiy ascertairrea, the will
of the majority the imperative fHle of
action, has brought order out of chaos,
and, by a progress unparalleled in the
history Of the world, had made a few fe
Bile infant colonies a giant confederated
republic.
No man; conversant with the state of
affairs now in Kansas, can close his eyes
to the fact that much evil disturbance
has for a long time past existed in this
territory. Various treasous nave been
assigned for this unfortunate condition
of affairs, and numerous remedies nave
been proposed.
The House of Representatives of the
United States have ignored the claims of
both gentlemen claiming the legal right
to represent the people of this territory
in ~hst body. The Topeka Constitu
tion, recognized by the House, has been
by the Senate. Various
measures, each in the opinion of its re-
spcctiye advocates, suggestive of peace
to Kansas, have been alternat .ly pro-
posed aud rejected. Men outside of the
territory, in various sections of the I'm
ion, Influenced by reasons best known to
themselves, have endeavored to stir up
Internal strife: aud to array brother
against brother.
In this conflict of opinion, and for the
of the most unworthy purpos-
es, Kansas is left to suffer her people
to mourn, and her prosperity is endau-
gered.
is there no remedy for these evils?
Cannot the wounds Of Kansas be healed,
and eaee be restG-ed to all her borders ?
Men of the North-men of the South
-of the East and of the West, in Kan
sas-you, and you alone, have the RENE
dy in -Four OWE hands. Will you not
suspend fatrieidal strife? Will you not
cease to regard each other as enemies,
and look upon one another as the cLil-
dren of 4 common mother, and come and
reason together?
Let us Danish all outside influences
from our deliberations, and assemble
around our-council board, with the Con-
%stitution of our country and the Organ
ic Law of the Territory as the great
charts for our guidance aud direction.
The bona fde inhabitants of this terrific
ry alone, are charged with the solemn
duty of enactipg her laws, upholding her
government, maintaining peace, and lay
ing the foundation for afuture common
wealth.
On this point let there be a perfect
unity of sentiment. It is the first great
step towards the attainment of peace.
It will inspire confidence amongst our
selves, aud insure the respect of the
whole country. Let us show ourselves
worthy and capable of self-government.
Do not the inhabitants of this Terri
tory better understand what domestic
institutions are suited to their condi-
tion-Bhat laws will be most conclusive
to their prosperity and happiress-than
the citizens of distant, or even neighbor-
ing States? This great right of regu-
latiDg our own affairs and attending to