Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1857-04-02
Farewell Address Of Gov. Geary.

darkened the atmosphere women and children,
driven from their Indications. wandered over The |
prairies and among the woodlands, of sought
refuge and protection even among the Indian
tribes. The highways was infested with nu-
merons predatory bands and the towns were for
lifted and garrissoned by armies OF conflicting
partisan each excited almost 10 frenzy and de
termined upon mutual determination. Such was,
without exaggeTaton, the condition of the Ter
ritory upon my arrival. Her treasury was bank.
rupl. There was no pecuniary resources with
IN herself to meet eXIgtncles OF the lines. The
Congressional appropriations, intended to de-
fray the expenses of year, were insufficient
to meet the demands of fortnight. The laws
were nu l. the COult virtually suspended, and
the civil arm Of the government almost entirely
powefless, Action prompt, decisive, euerget-
lc aclon-was necessary. | at once saw what
was needed, AMI without hesitation gave myself
TO the work. For six months | have lab0red
with unceaslng industry. The accustomed and
| needed hours for sleep have been employed mi
The public services. Night and day have ofllcia
duties demanded unremltlng attention. have
had no proper moments Tor lest or recreation.
| My health has Jailed under the pressure. Nor
| IS This all TO my own private purse, without
assurance of relmburs Inent, have res0rled, in
every emergency for the required funds,
whether these ardu0us services ard writing sac
rilices have been beneficial to X ansas and my
country, you are abundanlly qualified To d5ter-
mine.
That have met with opposition, and even
bitter vituperatl0n and vlndlctive malice, is no
matter for asonlshment. No man has ever yet
held an impo rtaiA responsible post in Our own
or any other country, and escape censure.
should have been weak aud foolish indeed, had
expected to pass through the fiery ordeal en-
tirely unscathed, especially as was required,
il not TO come in contact with, at least to thwart
evil Vaccinations, and hold in restraint wicked
passions, or rid the Territory Of many lawless.
reck ess and desperate men. Besides, it were
impossible to come IN contact with the conflict
ing interests which governed the conduct of
mny we-disposrd persons, without becoming
an OBJ ject Of mistrust ard abuse. While from
others, whose sole object was VIGOROUSLY per-
sonal adyShcement at any sacrifice OF the gen
eral good, and al every hazard, it would have
been rid curious to anticipate The need of praise
for disinterested action; and hence, however
beneficial in its results, do net marvel that nv
motives have been impu9ned and my integrity
maigned 1t Is, however, So we'll known, that
need scarcely record the fact, that those who
have attributed my labors to desire for euber-
material or senatorial honOrs, We're and are
themselves the asplrants Tor those high trusts
and powers, and loolishly imagined that stood
between them and the contamination of their
ambitious designs aud high towering hopes
hut whatever may be thought or said Of my
motives or desires. have the proud conscious
ness Of leaving this scene OF my severe and anx-
lous toll with clean hands, and the satislaclor
that He Nho can penetrate he inmost recesses
OF the hear and read It's secret thoughts, will
approve my purposes and acts. In the discharge
OF my executive functions. ! have invariably
sought to do equal aud exact justice TO al men
however humble or exalted. have eschewet
all sectional disputatlons, kept aIoof from al
party Affiliations, and have alike scurned numpr
Gus threats of personal injury and violence, an,
the most fattering PROMISES of advancement
f and reward. And ask and claim nothing NOR
for the part have acted then the simple mer
OF having eudeavored TO perform my dut,
This have done, at all times and upon ever
, occasion, regardless of the opinions of men
, and utterly fearless of cons yquences. Occasion
ally have been forced to assume great respon
sblies, aud depend solely upon my own te
sourses to accomplish important ends hut j
all surrounding circumstances, weighed we
the probable results, and acted upon, nay ow
deliberate Judgment and in now reyiewin
ihem, am SO well satisfied with the polio
uniformity pursued, that were it to be done owe
, again, it should not be changed in the slightes
particular.
In parting with you can do no less tina
give you few words OF kindly advice, and eve
,f fiandlv warniur Vuu oro ,,oU o,...,.e |.
most of the troubles which lately agitated tn
Territory, were occasoned by men who had n
especial interest in lis welfare. Many of thei
were not even residents !; while it is quite ev
denl that others were influenced altogether
, the part they took in the disturbances. b
, mercenary OF other personal consideration.
: The great body OF the actual cilzeIrs are COZ
} servallye law abiding, peace loving nien, dl.
posed rather 10 make sacrifices for conciiatio
, and consequent peace, than to insist for their Ell
tire rights, should the general good thereby b
caused to suffer- Some Of them, under the il
tuence of the prevailing excitement and mi:
f guided opinions, were led TO the commission ,
gr!evuus mistakes, but not with the deibeial
intention Of doing wrong.
very few men, r. solved upon mischief, ma
> keep IN "A state Of unhealthy excitement and il
e vove III fearful strife and entire communit,
This was demonstrated turlrg the civil comm,
lion with which Kansas was cOnvulsed Viii
d the people generally were anxious to pursu
v their peaceful caillngs, small combination
q OF crafty, schemlng and designing men, SD,
ceeded, from purely selfish motives, in briot
ing upon them series of most !amentable an
q destructive difficulties. Nor are they salsfe
:. with the mischief already done. They new,
> desired that The present peace should be effe
q ted nor do they Intend it shah continue if the
have the power TO prevent ii. In the consta
: croaklng Of dlsatlected individuals ii yalio,
|, sections, you hear On the expressions of e,
s desires and intentions. Watch, then. wi
special, jealous and suspicious eye, those wi
are continually indulging in surmises of renew,
II hosillties They are no, the friends of Kausa
and that is reasons to fear that some OF the
are not only enemies Of this IT,. fitory but of tt
Union itself lis dissolution is their ardel
e wish, and Kansas has been selected as fit plat
to commence tie accomplishment of most ut
t.rous design. The scheme has thus ial bee
] frustrated, but it has not been abaDd0ned 70
4 4 are intrusted not only with the guardianship
y the Territory, but the peace of the Union whc
y depends upon you in greater degree Than yo
. may at present suppose
y You should, therefore, frown down every e
fort to ument discord and especially to ARA
IL settlers from different sections ot the Union
y hostility agalns each other All true patriot
IS whether from the North or South, the East
It W est, Should Unite together for that which
f and mus be regarded us a common cause, It
!. preservation of the Union and lie who sha
.. whlspera desire Tor lis dlsso utl0n, no matte
- what NAV be his DrptpnsLUS. is unworthy