Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-10-17
Kansas--Gov. Geary.

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When Mr.. Geary was appointed GoV-
ernor of Kansas, the hope was held out
that now the real people would have
chance to be protected; that the Cover
nor was such a fair and upright man, that
he would see justice melted out to both
parties, and that was all we ever claimed.
He even commenced his administration |
with a popular movement, releasing the
free state prisoners on bail, and according
TO our information even went so far as TO
order back the Missourians who had
marched into the territory to destroy
Lawrence. This was much more than
the infamous, drunken tool of the slave
drivers, Shannon, would have dared to
do. He would have informed the peo
pie of Lawrence that the south demanded
the destruction of their city. as he for
merly did in regard to the free state ho-
tel and other obnoxious buildings, and he
could not interfere. In so much rs we
have noticed therefore, we give him cred
it for more nerve and more decency than
his predecessor. Let him have the full
benefit of all his fair acts. If we looked
no further than this, we might hope that
new order of things is inaugurated in
Kansas. But we cannot look upon this
alone. Indeed, the very first official bull
letin that his excellency put forth dashed
our hopes to the ground. Read his in
augural address. In it he talks very
fair, and palavers about the various rights
which are TO find protection under his
peaceful reign, and seems to shadow
forth quite a millennium. But what does
he say about the cause of all the trouble
in the territory, the edicts passed by the
company of men who claimed to be the
Kansas Legislature at Shawnee Mission
Why he dignifes them by the name of
Ia'cS! and says the laws of the territory
must be cbeyed until they are repealed
and he shall use the whole force at his
disposal to enforce them! Does this look
like right and justice to the north? Doe.
this look like fairness? What can We
say of the character or even the sanity
of Gov. Geary after that?
Our readers may understand all abou
these enactments, which Gov. Geary call
the laws of the territory, but we will Q,
little further back in their history.
All this territory was by ancient ordi
nance barred against slavery. The Mis-
souri, Compromise, so called, forever ex
cluded slavery from its fair and beautiful
fields. But our degenerate Congress
under the leadership of Senator Douglas
enacted territorial law, repeating thu
slavery restriction, and giving to the act
ual settlers of the territory the suprem,
right of deciding for themselves whethe
they would have slavery or not. al
very fair" says the smooth-tongued ora
tor, "just what your forefathers did OF
plymouth rock. Let the people, tn
actual settlers decide for themselye;
whether they will have freedom, or slave
ry." Well, the government was set il
operation, and the very first election
which was to be decided by the people
the very first vote taken by the "actua
settlers" the minions of slavery went owe
from Missouri, and carried fraudulent,
And they did so at every succeeding cleo
ton. Well the time drew near for tb
election of Legislature for the territor,
A census was taken to ascertain the nun
Der of legal voters and the election OF
dered. Then see the practical workin
OF this very fair and democratic organi
law. Missourians, without any pretens
10 right, without any claim to be settler
marched to the polls and elected thei
own tools, some of them actually residin
IN Missouri How many of these Mis-
sourians were there? The best eyidene
there Is upon the subject is the report O
the Investigating Committee" accor,l;n.
to which there were only about lao,
legal votes Of all kinds east at that elec
ton, while there were over 1900 illega
or Missouri votes Every district wa
controlled, so that in territory, where
is admitted son all hands, there was a
actual majority in favor of freedom. bu
one free state delegate was chosen. Com