Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-04-16
The Late Topeka Convention
Speech of Gov Robson Before
the Free-State Convention at
Topeka, Kansas, on March l2,

tuC fiCCOeoiS w
Topeka, Kansas, on March II.
1857. az
MR. PREsIpExr AND GENTLEMEN: l: Of.
fords me no little pleasure to nave this op.
purtuuiy of satisfying my friends and the
people as tu the motives (which have aotu-
ated thy political course. ! am confident
that shall always be able to give my rea-
SONS for the course pursue.
After my return from the East, where |
had gone after my liberation, for the pur-
pose of inquiring into our cn' noes and Po-
sition aboard, was greatly exercised with
regard to the Course we s'sould take here in
Kansas, on the defeat Of our friends, the
Republicans Some 10 The State thought
that all would be los, having no hope in the
succeeding Admin hration OF Mr.. buchanan.
Othe:s said that the Ere emont .-r,y would
come to Kansas, or send such an emigration
here as would insure our ultimate success
against all the efforts of our enimies.
was satisfied myself that large emigration
would come in the Fall and early in the
coming Soring from the Free States.
| looked about here Oh my return, care
fully examined into III. conii. on of relating
to our welfare, saw Gov. Geary and many
others, among whom were some o. our prin,
cipal and earnest men, and learned their
view as well as could upon the poIicy to
be pul sued Gov. Geary made many great
promises-he talked we'll, he talked 'ong
and he still talks much.
asked him if he thought there was any
wsy in which the Topeka Constitution
could get into the Union. H. seemed to
thiuk. il might BY re, submission to the
people, or at iurthest, in addition to this, a
new election Of State officers. He thought
Buchanan would be glad to get out of the
difficulty in that way, rather. than risk the
peace OF his Administration by Sllowing the
question to 60 on Unsettled.
Now, if we could succeed in such a way, /
was willing to proht by il, if we could not
gain an admission without. At any rate,
| should not refuse to accept such q propusi
tion on behalf Of the Government. de-
sired 10 bring all my powers to the aid OF
our cause and our Constitution. and their
success in some way. 1t is we'll known that a
manner OF charge had been heaped upon me
by our enemies, snch as those ofbeing an
Abolitiost, Disuuionist, and many others
which caused me TO be looked upon with q
great deal OF hatred by the Democrtic purity
In fact msy say that was probably more
unpopular with that party than any other
man in the country. On this account
thought there would be less of barrier in
the way OF this il were not at the head oI
the State Government. This was the
great reason for my offering to resign the
Office then held
But there was an additional cause for
taking that step. believe that my efforts
would be looked upon as more disinterested
when laboring in the capacity of a private
citizen. could not then be said that
was loboring tn make an empty Office a
profitable one blythe sanction which sough,
of the Government. When first saw the
proceedings OF the meeting herd here curing
the January season of the Legislature. it
seemed 10 NE that no one knew anything
oi those reasons or nv motives. Further,
was moi aware that there Tks any Kansas
NAN al Washington 10 represent to Con-
gr,ss CT the Administration the rights and
wants OF Or peoI lie, as it was generally
understood that neither Lane nor Retde
could 20 there without danger of arrest by
the Marshal under process fur treason.
As long ss weeks previous to my writing
my letter o: resignation had a converse
ton with Lieut. Gov. Roberts, who promised
to be here without fail on the meeting OF
the Legislature, and that he would act as
Governor in my absence, for told him that
| shou d 60 East upon business of impor.
tance TO the cause, which | have already
explained. And although did not inform
him that would certainly resign, yet |
gave him TO understand that thought OF
doing so He vel. knew that | would be
absent at all events. Many others were
aware Of the same facts. Before leaving |
sent him note asking him to lay my resig-
nation before the Legislature.
At Washington found the Senate im-
prao,ible. 1t merely wished the rerritor.
al Legislature to repeal a few ofthe mure
edious of its ensctments. and compel US to
submit to the others-though made as they
had been by foreign invaders without our
consent. found that all was 3 matter of
party Pride--that they were determined to
regard our affairs as though everything had
been regular. Our friends in the House
prom sed TO do all in their power to procure
the entire repeal OF oil thelaws. They said
the House would pass bill declaring them
al null and void, and ordering new cleo
tion for Territorial Legislature under a
law Of it's own. They thought the Senate
would strike out the repeal, but finally pass
the election law. The House would then
pass it as it came from The Senate. In this,
suppose, we have been disappointed.
will admit, if you chose, that have accom-.
P!iShed nothing. But earnestly tried 10
accomplish something, and have failed
because Of any unwillingness on my part.
believed that ny course was the best one
that could be taken.
] have not, and will show you so before
leaving, abandoned our organization. On
the contrary, believe it is our only hope
When we framed our Constitution some.
thing Of the kindrwas necessary 10 keep to.
gether our party, and as basis for the Sc.
curing ot our rights. But we have never
perfected that organization as we shou Id
have done. government had been.estab.
i-hed among us by people foreign to our
soil. uHd il was essential for US to establish
some means OF self.proteclion from the ty-
fanny waicn was hanging over us. There
is 10 hope from the Territorial Legislature
They have taken and still retain everything
in their own hands, and have consequently,
increased in power. You will find that