The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-02-24
KANSAS AFFAIRS.

Presidential election. asserted that the alleg
ed troubles in Kansas were devised for "vo-
Eti>al effect" These men have since then
, appealed to the greater Inict in the Terrific
, rv as proof Of their position, ignoring entire.
~ the notorious fact that there has been a
''o'I cdarge Of po'iry, and that quiet has been
restoted TO the Territory simply because the
Border Rulans have been prevented by the
strong arm OF the law from carving on their
monstrous system of il Justice and rapIne.
To such disciples Of Machiavell we rec
ommfnd a perusa of Gov. Geary's message.
He evidently goes about his task in an I'M
gracious manner, since he is friend of the
: administration. and would rather pass Ii hit
~ over the fruits of its evil deeds than to
make official publication Of them. But as
an honest man and maolstrate under cath,
there is no alternative left him. lie speaks
plainly asserting that the people have been
living under despotism and in the constant
presence of outrageS and crime. He aludes
to the " gi.antic evils under which this Ter
ritorv was groaning." He SAYS he has inaug
urated "polcy which has shed the benign
influence Of peace upon Kansas" and hich
if carried out he saws will contribute much
to soothe those feelings of bitterness and con
tention which in the past brought upon ~
such untold evils
In the following !ersc paragraph the Gov
ernor gives picture Of the condition OF at
J fairs in the Territory when he assumed the
office which he row holds -
"The Territory was declared bv the act
ing Governor. to be in state of in>urret
ton the civil authority was powerIes>-rn-
tIr"ly without afacitv to vlnilcae the maj
csty Of the law and restore tue broken peace;
The existing difficulties were Of a far more
complicated character than had aniicii ated:
predatory hands. whose sole aim unrcli"vrd
by the mitigation Of political causes. was Is
sa>sination. arson. pinn!cr and rapin", had
undisurl'cd possession OF Souie portions OF
. The TERRITORY. while every part nt 1t WAS
kept IN constant alarm and terror hv HE al
yora-rS Of political sentiments. uni;in. -"
cor,ng to their respective svmi a'hr>. II
formidable bod - Of arin,.d iltn. crU.-r tciN
cGNipPg! With munitions @. war. AID received
upon mutual tXtcrmiration As IL cr!v hope
Of peace: unrilcndi0o ana rraccabie citizens
We're driven from their homes others mur
dtrtd III their OWE tlwrliings. which Were
given 70 the lt,ur. that sacred -prtt for
women. which has characterized Al civilized
nations. seemed in he hour Of rad excite
Hlont to he forgotten VartIz1n feeling. all
sides. int,n>ciy excited Ev a question NL. J.
nl;tmci the vnt.r" nation. allnofj close! .!.c
minds of IL" rco e against me lie ana
mcnIacion> iu:Hors, we'll calrult',.: - pre-.
iure rNa>prra'ion and DESTROY ccu,i..,ucr,
welc every where rife the most uutJrruul',
>u'picionS prevailed: IN isolated country
places no man lite VAS <a.; ,ol,'"riv> ana
murder, wee ii ll:'v Occurrence :i"trl~ "v-
cry farm house i deserted an! no travel
Ter coui,! >at, venture on r.. hiyh wrv wiki
cut an escort. tbs >ta'r e al. rs wa
greatly aggravated! ~ the mtcr:rit'rc ot
prominent Ioli:i,itl> ou!si!c Of the 'Tt.:ito
ry.'
I;r took immediate measures to restore or.
der First h" ISSUED a Pro"lan7tlon di~ .
bandina the Territorial militia, compos 4 Of.
a mixed force of citizens AND "luFls =
Second ordering all pre- male ''';''N 10 en- .
roll themselves as m'i't". VITA me aS>'S
lance OF the |. > 'roo!'> he was 'hN$ ''a"'''
10 keep 'h' peace
"o'e'"o' YEAR. Gals ''''''''o" - S''"'>
r'>S''' y ''e '''- '''''"'e' a"o '''o''''''''''>
'"' S"'" "' 'i''" IL IKE ''o' ''''''''''! .'"'
'' ''sf'''" among o'"''s' '''' ''''""'"2
INC ''l'"' u ''' "c'S N'>'''- '''' appoint
''''' - '.'' ''.'
-,
:. ~,
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'fe' ana virtually a suspension OF the great
writ OF liberty, contrary to he l,ttcr and
spirit of the Constitution of the United
States
Test oaths :hould be aAo.i.h.rl; the act alb
ro.ating the right to vote by ballot and re-
1uirins all yotin. to be ,,ira r9ce, and per
mittir. the adjournment Of ain election t. the
following dav, should be repealed. a .hry
offer .,tat room for fraud and ruption.