Weekly hawk-eye and telegraph. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1855-1857, 1857-04-22
Gov Geary on the State of things ii
~ Kausae fs =

- z& j gf :
Joseph Ford OF Fountain Grove, Rice Coun-
W Minnesota Territory, publishes letter
In the lineage Tribune, detailing CONVEX
sation which he held in Washington, few
days since, with ex-Goy Geary on Kansas az
fairs The following extracts will be read
with interest. Mr.. Ford ayows that he was
buchanan Democrat when he commenced
the conversation. but he had turned Repub-
lican before he ended it, and his conye sion
seemed to have been approved by the Gov
ernor !
have, all my life, been what is called a
National Democrat; and though my terrific
rial reidence forbade my taking anv part in
the last Presidential election. nv svmpatlfies
and hopes were earnestly for Mr. Buchanan
was not, then, rs you NAV imagine. exactly
prepared to hear the tale that Gov Geary
told. had looked upon the reports which
We're circulated in the opposition newspapers
as grossly exaggerated statements of Occur
rences in the Territory; and, though willing
to admit that the Pro-Siavery men had been
guilty OF Some excess, co;lsoled myself With
the natural opposition that the other side was
equally to blaine. Even the report OF the
conversation Of the Governor in the Office of
the Missouri Democrat, looked upon as a
partlzan statement greatly distorted for po-
l teal purposes. Judge, then of my surprise,
to hear from his lips confirmation Of ali
that had looked on as false before; and to
hear the remarks attributed to him bv the
Democrat not only reatlirmed, but repeated
with minute details, which greatly hcighsen-
ed the effect ofwhat he had to say -&
! do notpropose to detail at length the con-
versation that filed almost an hour; but
cannot refrain from calling your attention
and that of your readers to the few points
which have not appeared in the many reports
given by the public press Passing over ais
confirmation of the charges OF atrocities,
which have filed the Republican papers,
Confirmation direct, positive and uneuuiyoeal
Il will mention what he said in relation TO
the withdrawal Of the troors:
Every Pro Slavery man of influence. as
well as many Of the sal ION Keepers. common
loaiers, and the like, knew Of the proposed
withdrawal; and | was tainted by them
some OF them the vilest OF the yiIc-witil the
fact that | was to be left unsupported, long
before had an Official notification of what
was intended, did not pay any attention
to these things, inasmuch as |, though then
suspicious, yet depended upon the positive
assurances ofthe Administration that should
be sustained. The discovery that the people
Oh the Territory were to be left at the mercy
oil the assassins by whom they were threat
ened, Was the seyerest trial to which was
subjected ras
repeat his language as literally rs posi-
Die; and am sure that do not color or ex-
agera;e the facts. In relation to the charac-
ter oithc men who have been labUrinc to les-
troy his power and influence, he observed:
There are men here in Washington now,
seeking ior Office, and with the probability
that they will get3what they ask, arhose hands
and oTH'$ ~ 70 Their etboscS are red miLh
ttnod. 1 knoW them 10 be ma7derers Yet
they are graci0usiy received DO Nj. Buchan-
al aud the Cabinet; and their statements
are taken as truth wherever they conflict
with mine, They are treated with more cor
iiility and favor than !. vino have tried to
discharge my duty faithfully and honestly,
,an ever hope to he
In relation to the coming election and the
probable complexion of the Constitutional
Convention be said: .-.+
Il believe that at least two-thirds of the
'cople are in favor of making Kansas free:
'ut under the operation of the plans which
heir opponents have devised, there is no
loubt that.a Pro-Slaverv Constitution will
,e framed ,... pa
The difference between the two parties he |
tated as follows :-72 -r
among the Pro Slavery men there is no
reedon of speech--hardly of opinion. The
rst inquiry made by them of every new
oner Is, Whore arayou from ?" and if the |
answer is, From the North, that man is
narked and neither his person or property
$ safe. They have established reign OF |
error Among the PROSTATE men Found |
othlng OF this; every man who has an opin- |
On is at liberty to express it without roies-
alton. | found no trouble with them after
he first difficulties were overcome what
yer. s4s.s's
The Governor WAS very direct and implicit |
n his charges against the late Admn.stra.
ion, and by no means disposed to spare thvt
uw in power He seemed to speak as an
onest, injured man. Going to Kansas with
he intention Of dealing alike with all parties,
nd enforcing the laws as he found them,
fithout inquiry Us to how or by whom they |
,ere made he soon learned that that policy
as not what his party there or his supcriors
! Office desired They / use his words)
Dreaded nothing SO much us impartiality;'
nd as soon as they ascertained that he WIS
Of to be used for their purposes, his troubles
nd prosecutions commenced. He complain.
] that his dispatches sent to the Dapart.
lent of STATE wore grossly garbied in publ
alton when they were permitted TO see tie
ghtiat all. The parts which were supposed
, be offensive to the Pro-Savery party wore
.riekcn out: and the country, said he,
has never yet learned the whole truth. He
fought that no objection was ever made to
ny structures upon Frec-state men; but
hen the truth was told OF their opponents,
was Ssoring our ex, L
In this conversation, OF which | have but
wen u brp outline, the Governor. though
acre were others in the room, apart u the
me az least, spoke principally to me, as
40 particularly requested u statement Ct
lcts as they had come under his ebserva,
on. He dilnotspeak under excitement, but
iScreetv, and with apparent care to tell the