The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-01-30
CITY OF WASHINGTON, FRIDAY MORNING JANUARY 80 1851
MESSAGE OF GOVERNOR JOHN w. GEARY TO
THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF KANSAS TER

Gentlemen Of The Council and Of House Of Representatiyes
The a-wise and bepefcent Being who controls alike
the destnies OF Individuals and of nations has permitted
oa 70 convene this day charged with grave RESPONSE
The eyes, not only of the people of Kansas but of the
ure unon are upon you watching with anxiety the result
Oh your deiberaons and OF joint action in the
on OF Inc delicate and important duties devoying upon
us.
Selected at critical period in the history Of the country
TO discharge the executive functions of this Territory the
oogatons was required 10 assume were of the most
weighty Importance. And when seriously to con-
template their magnitude, would have shrunk from the
responsibility were it not for an implicit reliance upon Di
vine aid and full confidence in the virtue ZEAL and pa
otism OF the citizens, without which the wses executive
suggestions must be fstils and imperative.
To YOU legislators, invested with sovereign authority
look for that hearty cooperation which will enable
cessuy to guide the ship of State through the troubled
waters into the haven of safety. sss.E
!, Is with feelings Of profound gratitude to Almighty
God the bonnteoes giyer of all good have the pleasure
Of announcing that after the bitter contest of opinion
through which have recently passed. which
fortunately led to rarcidal strife peace which have
every reason to believe Will Se permanent now reigus
throughout this Territory and gaddens with its genial
uence homes snd hearts which but lately sad and
desolae that the robber and the murderer have been
driven from our soil that burned cabins hate bsen re-
placed by substantial dwellings, that feeling of conf
dence and Kindness has taken the place of dsrust and
hate that all good citizens disposed to depore the
errors and excesse OF the past and unite with atsrna
zeal in repairing its niuries and that this Terrtoryuu
surpassed by any portion OF the continent for the sauiy
OF It's climate the fertility Of its SOIL its mineral and ag
rcuural wealth, its timberfringed streams and fine
quarres of building stonehas entered upon career Of
unparalleled prosperity.
10 maintain the advance we have made and realize the
bright anticipationa OF the future, TO build up model
Commonwealth enriched with all the treasures of learn
ing OF virtue and religion and make choice heritage
Tor our children and generations yet unborn let me-
only as your executive but Kansan devoted the
interests Of Kansas and animated solely by patriotic pur
poses with all easnenes invoke you with one heart and
soul TO pursue 50 high and lofty in your debera
tons as, by its moderation and justice win commend it
self to the appreciation of the country and command the
respect OF the people Eaa4
This being the first occasion afforded me to speak to the
Legislative assembly is but proper and accordance
with general usage that should declare the principles
which shall give shape and tone my administration
These principles without elaboration will condense into
the narrowest compass.
Equal and Justice to all men, of whatever noli-
cal or religious persuasion peace comfy end friendship
with neghboring States and Territories with sacred
gard fer State rights and reverena respect for the in
tegry and perpeuity of the Union for the
federal constitution the concentrated wisdom of the
fathers Of the republic and the very ark of political
and the development Of exalted and intensely vital pa
trotism jealous regard for the elective franchise and
the entire security and sanctty of the ballot-box firm
determination to adhere the doctrines of segovern
ment and popular sovereignty GUARANTEED the organic
act unqualified submission the will of the majority
the election OF all officers by the people themselves the
supremacy of the civil the military authority strict
economy in public expenditures with rigid accounta-
bity Of all public officers the preservation of the pub
lie faith and currency based upon and equal to gold
and silver free and safe Immigration iron every quar-
ter of the country the cultivation of proper terri
torial PRIDE with firm determination to submit to
no invasion of our sovereignty the fostering OF
agriculture, manufactures mechanic arts, and all works
OF internal improvement the liberal and free education
of all the children of the Territory entire religious free
dom free press free speech and the peaceable right
assemble and discuss all questions of public interest
by ures mpara selected the sanctty the hdbeas
pus the repeal of all laws inconsistent with the const
tuition of the United States and the organic act and the
r,io rf
cure the general welfare. .sa.t3 h1aR
These sterling msxis sanctioned by the wisdom and
experience of the past and the observance of which
brought our country to exalted position among the
nations OF the earh will be steady lights by which my
administration shall be guided. s.n .ass1 :
summary view of the state of the Territory upon my
advent with an allusion to of my official acts may
not be inappropriate to this OCCASION and may
spre your counsels with that wisdom and prudence by
contemplation Of the fighul excuses of the past
sena in the adoption OF to prevent their
renee and enable you wisely to lay the broad and solid
foundations of future Commonwealth which may give
protection and happiness to millions OF freemen.
1t accords not with my policy intention to do the
least injustice to any citizen party of in this Terri
tory elsewhere Pledged to do equal and exact JUS
ce in executive capacity am inclined to throw the
veil OF oblivion the and outrages of the period
antecedent to my arrival except far reference
them may be necessary for substantial justice and to
plain and develop the policy which has shed the benign
Influences OF peace upon Kansas and which, il responded
to by the legislature in spirit of kindness and conca-
ton will contribute much soothe those feelings of bitter
ness and contention which in the past brought upon
such untold evils. t# za saE t
arrived Fort Leavenworth the ninth day of Sep
ember last and Immediately assumed the executive func-
ons. On the eleventh issued my inaugural address, de-
clarng the general principles upon which intended to
administer the government In this address solemply
pledged myself to support the constitution of the United
States and to discharge my duties governor of Kansas
with fidelity to all the provisions of the organic
act which pronounced to be eminenty just and benef-
cal to stand by the doctrine of popular sovereignty,
the will Of the majority of the actual bona dc inhabitants
when legtimatey expressed which characterized the
imperative rule of civil action for every lawabding c
zen The gigantic evils under which this Territory was
groaning attributed to outside influences and the
people of Kanas We're earnestly invoked to suspend
unnatural strife to Danish all extraneous and improper
influences from their deliberations and in the spirit
Of and mutual conciatien to adjust their own
differences Such suggestions in relation to modifica-
tions of the present statutes deemed for the pub
lie interest were promised the proper time.
declared that this Territory s the property of
the people of the several States and that obstacle
should be interposed TO its free settlement while in ter
rtoria condition by the citizens of every State of the
Union just territorial pride sought to be infused
a pledge was soemnly given to know party, no Sec
tionnothng but Kansas and the Union and the people
were earnestly invoked to bury the past in oblivion; to
suspend hoses and refrain from the indulgence of bit
ter feeling begin 10 devote themselves to the
and substantial interests of Kansas develop her rich
agricultural and mineral resources build up manufac
lures make public roads and other works OF internal i'm
prepare amply for the education OF their chill
dren devote themselves to all the arts OF peace and
make this Territory the sanctuary OF those cherished pr
cples which protect the nacnable rights OF the INDIVIDUAL
and elevate States in their sovereign capacities
The foregoing is brief summary of the principles upon
which my administration commenced have steadi-
y adhered to them and time and trial have but served 10
strengthen my convictions of their justice.
Concdent with my inaugural issued two procla-
nations the dsbanding the territorial militia cen-
posed Of miIed force of citizens and Others and command