New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-09-22
AUGURAL ADDRESS
JOHN w. GEARY,
GOVERNOR OF KANSAS TERRITORY.
Deiirned a; Lecompton, Sept. II. 1856.

FELLOW CITIZENS: appear among you strsp .er
10 most Of YOU ard for the first time hive the bonor u
address you Governor Of the Territory Of Kansas
The portion was not sought by me- bui wa. volnn
tarly rendered by the present Chief Magistrate OF tho
nation As An American citizen deeply con.,ions &c
the blessings which flow from our beloved Ivr;on
did not consider myself At Liberty to shrink from any
duties however delicate and Onerous required If mo
by my country:
rounding the executive oiice, | have delibe-stely
accented IL and, as God may give me s,rcnotb and
ability will endeavor faithfully 10 discharge its vailed
nenuirements. When received my commission. | vas
solcmnly sworn TO support the Constitution of In,
United States and to discharge ny duties as Governor
81 Kansas with fidelity BY reference to the at for
the organization of this Territory passed by Congress
on the seth day Of March, 1851, ird my duties more
nar,iculsrly defined. Among other things an +" 10
isLe care that the laws be faithfully executed"
The Constitution of the United States and tho
Organic Law of this Territory will be the lights by
which win be guided in my executive career
careful and dispassionate examination of our or
sp;c act will satisfy any reasonable person ths: ts
isiops are eminently just and beneficial If this
% hes been distorted 10 unworthy purposes il i NOT
the fault Of its provisions. The great leading feature
90 that act il the eight therein conferred upon the ac-
,ral and bona fde inhabitants Of this Territory in the
e,ercse of self-governnen;, Ia Diet; mime for them.
selves what shall be their domestic institutions
o subject only to the Constitution and tue laws duly
enacted by Congress under it.. The people Gccus-
W
tbev came and having removed to this Territory with
The iona bde intention of making it taer future resi-
dence were supposed to be capable of creating ;rcr
own municipal government, and to be the best judges
NJ their own local necessities and institutions. This
,rb., il termed popular sovereignty By this
rbrsse we simply the right Of the majority of the
rreorle of the several States and Territories being
qualified eectors to regulate their own domestic con
Gerns and 10 make their own municipal laws. Thus
nda, TODD this doctrine underos the whole system o.
ronuhlican government 1t is the great right of self
dyerment for the establishment of which our ances-
tors in the stormy days Of the Revolution, pledged
theH lives their fortunes and their sacred honor"
doctr ne SO eminenty just should receive the will
inc homage of every American citizen. When legiti-
msely expressed and duly asceraned, the will of the
majority must be the imperative rule OF civil action for
every law abiding citizen. This simple just rule of
action has brought order out OF chaos and, by pro-
UNPARALLELED in the history Of the world has made
a few feeble infant colonies giant confederated
republic.
No man. conversant with the state of affairs now in
Kansas can close his eyes to the fact that much civil
disturbance has for long time past existed in this
Territory. Various reasons have been assigned for
this unfortunate condition of affairs, and numerous
remedies have been proposed.
The House of Repre- entatives of the United States
have ignored the claims OF both gentlemen claiming
the legal right represent the people of this Territory
in that body. The Topeka Constitution recognized
by the House. has been repudated by the Senate.
Various measures, each in the opinion of Its res oect-
i've advocates suggestive OF peace to kan'ss, have
been alternately proposed and rejected. Men outside
of The Territory, in various sections OF the Union, in
fuenced by reasons best known to themselves, 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 let to suffer,
her people mourn, and her prosperity ~ en- iangered
Is there no remedy for these evils Cannot the
wounds of Kansas be healed ana peace be restored to
all her bOrdersi
Men of the North-m,p Of the South-of the East
and of the Wet, ~ kansd-yOd, and you alone have
the remedy in your own hands VIII yon not suspend
fraricida strife VII! you not CEASE to regard each
other enemies, and look upon one 'nother ~ the
children of common mother and come and reason to-
gether!
Let us Danish all outs de influence from our delbera-
tions and assemble around our council board, with The
Constitution Of country and tie organic law ut the
Territory as the great charts our -. lance and d.
rection The bona idc inhabitants OC tlis Territory
alone are charged with the solemn duty q enacilng her
laws, upholding her government, maintaining peace,
and laying the foundation Tor future Commonwealth
On this point let there be perfect unty ri senti-
ment II il the first great step toward the attainment
of peace. 1t will inspire confidence among ourselves,
and insure the respect Of the whole country. Lei Us
show ourselves worthy and capable Of sctgovernment.
Do not the inhabitants OF ths Territory better ul-
deIstand what domestic institutions are hued 70 their
condition-what laws will be most conducive 10 their
prosperity and happiness-thar the cH'S ot distant,
or even Deghborng States Ibis great i1ght oil rcgo-
nGss without any ntertereace from ot'Fs, hes been
guaranteed to by tie law which Cong ess has made
for the organization OF this Territory Inns rght oil
sefgoveinment-thls privilege guaranteed to W by
the organic law of our Territory, Will uphold Win all
nv might and with the entire power committee to me-
In relation to any changes OF the laws OF the Terri
tory which may deem desirable, have no occasion
now TO speak but these are subjects To which shall
direct public attention at tue proper time.
The territory of the United States is the common
property the several States, of the people thereof
This being no obstacle should be nferposed TO the
free settlement of this common property, while in
territorial condition.
cheerfily admit that the people of this Territory
under the Organic Act, have the absolute right OF
making their municipal laws, and from citizens who
deem Themselves aggrieved by recent legislation,
would invoke the utmost iobearance, and point out 10
them a sure and peaceable remedy. You have the
right to ask the next Legislature to revise any and all
laws; and III the mean tnne as you value tile peace oi
the Territory and the maintenance of future laws
would earnestly ask you to refrain from all violation of
the present statutes.
am there is patriotism sufhclent IN the people
of Kansas to lend willing obedience to the Hw All
the provisions IF the Constitution OF the United states
must be sacredy observed, all the acts of Congress
having reference to this Territory must be uahestg-
ly obeyed and the decision Of our Courts respected
II will be my imperative duty to rec that these sugges-
tions carried into eject In my official action here,
will do Justice at all hazards. Influenced by no other
considerations than the welfare of the whole people OF
this Territory DE- sire to know no party NO section,
no North no South, no T. ,st, no West-nothlng but
Kansas and my country
Fully conscious of my great responsibilities IN the
present condition of things in Kansas, must invoke
your aid ard solicit your generous forbearance Your
executive officer can do little without the aid Oh u"
people. With firm reliance upon Divine Providence
TO the best of my ability shall promote me interests
Of the citizens OF the Territory not merely rctIyey
but individually; and l shall expec' Foe mem III
return that cordial aid and support "t"n "hich 'ne
Gcvelnmei. of 10 State or 1,.f .'rr N be- tdnius-
tered.