New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-01-27
k A N s A S.
MESSAGE OF GOV. JOHN W. GEARY
TO THE
Legislative Assembly Of Kansas Territory

the destiuies OF individuals and OF nations hiss per-
mil ed you 70 convene this day, chsrged with grave
responsibilities.
The ewes not only OF the people Of Kansas. but OF
tie entire Union, upon you, watching "ln aaAsty
the result Of your delberst1Ds and OF oar Jony eton
in the execution OF The de!cae aDG Important ua''eS
selected q. critical period in the history OF the
country TO dischsrge the Executive funcucns oil ths
Territory tie oblg atoms | was required 70 ASSUME
were of the most weighty import lnce. Ana Wneh
came seriously 20 contemplate their magnitude, would
have -brunk from their responsibility, were Il not Tor
an iI pic reliance upon Divine ald and fdil couh-
dence in the virtue, zeal and patriotism OF the citizens
without which the wisest Executive suggestions must
b. futile ard imperative.
To Won Legislators invested with sovereign author
y lock for the hearty cooperation which VIII enable
US successfully to guide the ship oil sas iniousn the
troubled wsteIs into the hayen OF slfety.
Iii with feelings of profound gratitude 10 AluShIy
Ged the bounteous giyer of all good have the pleas
ure Of announcing that after the bitter contest OF opm
ion through which have recently passed, sud which
has unfortunately, led to ffarcd3l Strife that peace
which have every reason TO believe VIII De permi'
nent, reigns throughout this Territory ana CAD
dened with its genial influences homes and hearts
which but lately cad and desoate; that the rob
Der oud the murderer have been driven from our soil
that burned cabins have been replaced by substantial
DIV ceilings; that feeling Of kindness ana commence
has taken the place Of distrust and bate ta s g9ou
citizens are disposed depore the errors and excuses
of the past and unite with IfateiDal zea' III rep ing
its injuries and that this TeTTtory-unsuTpassei py
az Horton of the continent for the silubrlty OF ls
lin ste the fertility Of its soil It mineral and agIicui-
inra wealth s timber-inged streams, and fine quar-
rits of building stone-bas entered upon career OF
| unparalleled prosperity
To maintain the advance we have made, and realize
the bright anticipaons of the future to build no
model enrich6d with all the elsure5 OF
learning, OF virtue and religion and make choce
heritage for our children and generations yet UNBORN,
let me- not only as your Executive, 6ut as hanian,
devoted to the interests of Kansas aud animated solely
by ratfiotic purpose with all earnetness INVOKE you,
with one heart and soul, to pursue so high and lofty
course in your deliberations, by lis moderation and
Justice will commend itself to the appreciation OF the
| country and command the respect of the people.
This being the first occasion afforded me to speak to
the Legislative Assembly il is but proper and IN &C
cordsnce with general usage, thst should declare the
principles which shall give shape and tone to my /.
miistrttion. These principles without elaboration l
| will condense into the narrowest compass.
Equal and exact Justice" to all men, of whatever
political or religious persussion peace, comfy and
fendship with neishboring States and Territories,
with sacred regard for State rights, and reveren-
iial respec for the integrity and perpetuity OF the
Union; reverence for the Federal Constitution as
the concentrated wisdom OF the Fathers oil tue he
public and the very ark of our political safety tue
cultivation Of pune aud energetic natlonsIlty, and
the development of an exalted and intensely vital pat
| riotism; jealous regard for The elective ifahcnlse
and the entire security and saHctity OF the baotbox
firm determination 10 adhere to the doctrines OF selt.
government and popular sovereignty as guaranteed
| BY the organic act; unqualified submission to the
win Of the majority the election of all officers by the
people Themselves; tie SUPREMACY OF the civil over
the military authority; strict economy IN pubic e1-
pendituros with rigid accountability OF al puolio
officers; the preservation OF the pubic ialth aud
currency based upon and equal to gold and silver
| free and safe immigration from every quarter OF the
country; the cultivation OF proper territorial pride
with finn determination 10 submit 70 no invasion Oh
our sovereignty; the fostering care OF agriculture
manufactures, mechanic arts, and all works OF inter
mel inproy ement; the liberal and free education Of
all the children OF the Territory entire religious free
dom; fee press, free speech, and the peaceable
tight to assemble and discuss all questions OF public
interest," trial by ures impatally selected the sane
tty of the habeas corpus the repeal OF all laws IN
consistent with the Constitution OF the cnted states
and tie organic act and tie steady administration OF
tie government so re beet 10 secure the general well
| fare.
Thee sterling maxims, sanctioned by the wisdom
and experience Of past and the obsery OF which
has brought our country 10 exalted position among
the nations of the earth will be steady lights by which
nv administration shall be guided.
A suumary view Of the State of the Territory upon
my ADVENT with allusion TO some OF my official acts,
may not BE- inappropriate to this occasion, and may
.,rye TO inspire your counsels with that wisdom aud
ude1c CO. by contemplation of the frighttu excuses
Of the pest so essential in the adoption of measures to
prevent their recurrence, and enable you wisely to lay
| the broad ard cold foundations OF future common
| wealth which may give protection and happiness 10
millions Of freemen
1t accOrds not with my policy or intention to do the
least Injustice TO any citizen party of men IN this
Territory or elsewhere. Pledged to do equal aud ex'
net Justice in my executive capacity am inclined to
throw the veil Of oblivion over the enors aud ourages
of the period aIecedent to my arrival except 80 TAR as
reference TO them may be necessary for substantial ds
tice and to explain and develop the policy which has
shed the benign influences Of peace upon Kansas and
which responded to by the Legislature in spirit of
kindness and Cancellation, will conributs much to
sootbe those feelings OF beInos aid contention, which
| in the past brought upon Us such untold evils.
| arrived at FoIt Leavonworth on the 9th day OF
September last, and Immediately assumed the e1ecu.
| tive functions. On the 18th issued my Inaugural
Address declaring the general principles upon which
intended to administer the Government In thus ad'
dres. solemBly pledged myself to support the Const
tuition Of the United States and to discharge my duties
az Governor of Kansas with fidelity; to sustan all the
proysops Of the organic act, which pronounced to be
''emneny just and beneficial" to stand by the doc
trine Of lar sovereignty, or the will OF the major
ity of tic actual, bona fde inhabitants, when eStl'
matey expressed which characterized the impera'
tive rule OF civil action Tor every iaw-aol1idg
| citizen"
| The gigantic evils under which the Territory was
grooming were attributed to outside influences and the
people OF Kansas were earnestly invoked TO suspend
unnatural strife, to banish all exIaneous ard improper
influences from their deliberations aud in the spirit of
ason and mutual Cancellation to adjust their diff
ference, Such suggestions in relation TO notifications
Of the present statutes deemed for the public in
,eress were promised at the proper time. IL was de-
clared that this Territory lie the common property OF the
people of the several states and that obstacle should
be neposed 10 its free settlement while in Terrific
rial condition, by tie citizens Of every State OF the
Union.
lust Territorial pride was sought to be infused
pledge solemI " given TO know no party, no Sec
ton othng but Kansas and the Union; and the peo-
pe were earnestly invoked to bury the past in obliy-
ion; to suspend hostilcs and refrain from tue indd
geLce of bitter feeling to begin anew 10 deN Die Them
selves to the aud substantial Interests OF Kansas
10