Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1857-04-02

rest OF recreation. MY health has failed under
the pressure, Nor is this all; to my own private
purse, assurance ofre.imburement Of have resort
ed, in every emergency, for the required funds
Whether these arduous services and willing sac.
rifces have been beneficial to Kansas and my
country, you are abundanhy qualified to deter
mine.
That have met With opposition, and even BIT
ter vituperation, and vndictive malice, is no mat.
ter fo astonishment. No man has ever yet held
an important or responsible post in our own or
any other country, and escaped censure. Ishould
have been weak and foolish indeed, had expect.
ed to pass through the fiery ordeal unscathed,
especially as was required, if not to come in con.
ffict with, at least to thwart evil Vaccinations and
hold in restraint wicked passi0nsor rid the terrific
ry Of many awess, reckless and desperate men -
Besides, it were impossible to come in contact
with the conflicting interests which governed the
conduct Of many well-disposed persons, without
becoming an object Of mistrust and abuse. While
from others, whose sole object was VIGOROUSLY
personal advancement at any sacrifice Of the gen.
era good and at every hazard, it would have been
ridiculous to anticipate the need Of praise for
disinterested action; and hence, however palpata-
ble might have been my patriotism, however jlst
my official conduct, or however beneficial in its
results do not marvel that my motives have
been impugned and my integrity maligned, 1t
is however, so well known that need scarcly re
cord the fact, that those who have attributed my
labors 10 desire for gubernatorial or senatorial
honors, were and are still tie aspirants for those
high trusts and powers, and foolishy imagined that
| stoodbetween them and the consummation Of
their ambitious designs and high aspiring hopes.
But whatever may be thought or said of my
motives or desires, have the proud conciousness
Of leaving this scene ofmy severe and anxious toll
with clean hands, and the satisfactory conviction
that lie who can penetrate the inmost recesses Of
the heart, and read its secret thoughts, will approve
my purpose and aims In the discharge ofmy
executive functions, have invariably sought to
do equal and exact justice to all men, however
humble or exalted. have eschewed all sectional
dispu.ations, kept aloof from all party affiliations
and have alike scorned numerous threats of per
sona injury and violence, and the most hattering
promises of advancement and reward And ask
and claim nothing more for the part | have acted
than the simple me!it of having endeavored to
perform my duty. This have done, at all times,
and upon every occasion, regardless ofthe opinion
of men, and utterly fearless of consequences Oc-
casonally lave been forced to assume great re.
sponsibiIities, and depend sorely upon my own re-
resources to accomplish important ends; but in all
such instances, have carefully examined sumoun-
ding circumstances, weighed well the probable re-
suits, and acted upon my own deliberate judge
ment; and in now reviewing them, an now SO
we'll satisfied with the policy uniformly pursued
that were It to be done over again, it should not
be changed in the slightest particular
In parting with you | can do no less than give
you few words Of kindly advice, and even o
friendly warning. You are well aware that mos
of the troubles which have 50 lately agtated the
territory, were occasioned by men who had no
especial interest in its welfare. Many of them
we're not even residents; whilst it is quite evident
that others were influenced altogether in the part
they took in the disturbances by mercenary or 9th
er personal considerations, The great body Of
the actual citizens are conservative, law.abiding,
peace loving men, disposed rather to make sacri,
fees for conciliaton and consequent peace, than
to insist for their entire rights should the general
GOOD thereby be caused to suffer. Some of them
under the influence of the prevailing excitement
and misguided opinions, were led to tie commiss
ion of grevous mistakes, but not with the delib
crate intention of doing wrong.
A very few men, resolved upon mischief, may
keep in state of excitement and involve in fear
full strife an entire community, This was demon.
strated during the civil commotions with which
the Territory was convulsed. While the people
generally were anxious to pursue their peaceful
calngs, small combinations of crafty, scheming,
and designing men succeeded, from purely selfish
motives, in bringing upon them a series of most
lamentabIe and destructive difficulties. Nor are
they satisfied with the mischief already done.-
They never desired that the present peace should
be affected nor do they intend that it shall con-
tinue if they have power to prevent it. In the
constant crOakings of disafected individuals in
various sections, you hear only the expressions of
evil desires and intentions. Watch, then, with a
special, jealous, and suspicious eye those who are
continually indulging surmises of renewed hostil'
tiles They are not the friends of Kansas, and
there is reason to fear that some Of them are not
only the enemies of this territory but ofthe Union
itself. It's dissolution is their ardent wish, and
Kansas has been selected as a fit place to CON-
msnce the accomplishment of a most nefariou'
design The scheme has thus far been frustrated