The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-09-24
AFFAIRS IN KANSAS.

FELLowcITIZE1s: appear among you stranger 10 most
Of you and for the first time have the honor 10 address
you governor OF the Territory OF Kansas The position
not sought by me, but voluntarily rendered by
the present Chief Magistrate OF the nation AS an Amer
citizen deeply conscious OF the blessings which ever
flow from beloved Union did not consider myself at
liberty shrink from any duties however delicate and
onerous required of me by my country.
With full knowledge Of al the circumstances surround
ing the executive Office have deliberately accepted IL and
as God may give strength and ability win endeayor
faithfully 10 discharge its varied requirements When
received my commission solennly to support
the constitution of the United States and discharge my
duties Of Kansas with fidelity BY reference TO
the act for the organization of this Territory, passed by
Congress the 3Ct day OF March 1854 find my duties
particularly defined. Among other things, am TO
take care that the laws be faithfully executed
The constitution of the United States and the organic
law Of this Territory will be the lights by which will be
guided in my executive career.
careful and dispassonate examination OF organic
act will satisfy any reasonable person that its provisions
eminently just and beneficial II this act has been
distorted 10 unworthy purposes is not the fault of It's
provisions The great leading feature Of that act is the
right therein conferred upon the actual and bona de in
habants of this Territory n the exercise Of segovern
ment to determine for themselves what shall be their own
domestic institutions subject only the constitution and
the laws duly enacted by Congress under it."
The people, accustomed TO segovernment in the States
from whence they came, and having removed to this Ter
ritory with the bona de intention Of making ii their iu
tnre residence, supposed to be capable of creating
their own municipal government and to be the Des judges
of their own local necessities and Institutions. This is
what is termed popular sovereignty By this phrase we
simply mean the right of the majority OF the people Of the
several States and Territories being qualified electors TO
regulate their domestic concerns ard make their
municipal laws Thus understood this doctrine un-
deries the whole system of republican government 1t is
the great right OF selfgoVernment for the establishment
OF which ancestors in the stormy days OF the revolu
ton pledged her lives their fortunes and their sacred
honor"
doctrine eminenty just should receive the willing
homage OF every American citizen When egtimately
pressed and duly ascertaned the will of The majority must
be the imperative rule OF civil action for every lawabidng
citizen This simple just rule Of action has brought order
cd In
OF the world has made few feeble infant colonies giant
| confederated republic.
No with the state Of affairs now in Kan
sas can close his to the fact that much civil disturbance
has for long time past existed in the Territory. vari
reasons have been assigned for this unfortunate cond
ton of affairs and numerous remedies have 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 that body
The Topeka constitution, recognised by the House. has
been repudaied by the Senate Various measures each
in the opinion Of its respective advocates suggestive of
peace to Kansas have been alternately proposed and
jected Men outside q ne Territory in various Sections of
the Union, influenced by best known TO them
selves have endeavored to stir up internal strife and To
array brother against brother
In this conhct OF opinion and for the promotion of the
most unworthy purposes Kansas left suffer her peo
pie TO mourn, and her prosperity is endangered.
Is there remedy for these evils Cannot the wounds
OF Kansas be healed and peace be restored to all her bor
| ders7
Men of the Norh-men of the sOuth--oH the East and
OF the West an haHsds-you and you alone have the
/
sre2 VIII you not to regard each other enemies
and look upon one another the children of a common
mother and come and reason togeher2
Let us Danish all outside influences from our delibera-
tons, and assemble around council board with the
constitution OF our country and the organic law Of this
ton The bona ds inhabitants Of this errtory alone are
charged with the solemn duty of enactng her laws up
holding her government maintaining peace and laying
! the foundation for future Commonwealth.
On this point let there be perfect unity Of sentiment
II the hrst great step towards the attainment Of peace
II will inspire confidence amongst ourselves and insure the
| respect Of the whole country. Let US show ourselves
Il worthy and capable OF selfgovernment
Do not the inhabitants Of this Territory better snde9-
stand what domestic institutions suited 10 their
dhonwhat laws will be most conducive TO their pros
perity and happiness-than the citizens Of distant OF
neghboring States This great right of regulating
our own Affairs and attending TO our own business with
out any interference from Others has been guaranteed
by the Law which Congress has made for the organization
Of this Territory. This right Of selEgovenmeut-this
privilege guaranteed By the organic law Of our Ter
ritory-l viii uphold with all my might and with the
/ tire power committed 10 me-
In relation any changes Of the laws Of the Territory
which may deem desirable, have occasion now 70
speak but these subjects which win direct public
attention at the proper time
The territory Of the United States Is the common prop
erty Of the several States OF the people thereof This
being 90, obstacle should be nerposed the free set
Element Of this common property while in territorial
/ dition.
cbeeruy admit that the people Of this Territory IN
der the organic act have the absolute right OF making
their municipal laws; and from citizens who deem them
selves aggrieved by recent legislation, would invoke the
utmost forbearance and point out 10 them and
peaceabe remedy. You have the right 10 ask the next
legislature TO revise any and all laws; and in the
time you value the peace OF the Territory and the main
tenance Of future laws would earnestly ask you 10
frain from all violations Of the present statulss
am there is patriotism sufficient in the people Of
Kansas to lend willing obedience 70 law. All the pro-
visions Of the constitution Of the United States be
sacredy observeda the acts Of Congress having refer
to this Territory must be unbeAtngy obeyed and
the decisions Of courts respected II will be my inn
peaTe dny 10 that these suggestions carried into
eject In my official action here will do justce all
hazards Influenced by other considerations than the
welfare OF the whole people Of this Territory desire TO
know party, section, North, South, East
| no West; nothing but Kansas and my country.
Fully conscious Of my great responsibilities in the pres
en condition Of things In Kansas must invoke your aid
and solicit generous fotbesrance Your executive Of
6oer do little without the aid OF the people With
firm reliance upon Divine Providence the best Of my
ability shall promote the interests Of the citizens Of the
Territory not merely collectively but individuality and
shall expect from them in return that cordial aid and sup
port without which the Of no State or Terri
tory can be administered with bene6cent effect
Let US all begin Let the past be buriei In obliv
ion Let all strife and bitterness cease. Let all hon
esty devote ourselves the interests OF Kansas de-
velop her rich agricultural and mineral build
manufacturing enterprises make public roads and high
devote ourselves to all the arts Of peace and make
Territory the sanctuary OF those cherished principles which
protect the inaenabe rights Of the individual and elevate
| States In their sovereign capacities
Then shall peaceful industry be restored population
and wealth win flow upon us"the desert will blossom
the rosand the State Of Kansas win be admitted
into the Union the peer and the pride Of her elder sisters
JOHN W. GBARY
PROCLAMATION