Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-03-21
Tbt Utrmont 9Benif.
BRATTLEBoRO. VT.
SATURDAY. MNRcH 21,1s57,


are terms that have been made use Of by the de-
mocracy 10 ridicue the persistent efforts of the
friends Of freedom in behalf Of Free Kansas. To
them Il hos been the ''harp Of thousand strings
upon which they have played all sorts Of discord-
ant music. II is their standing reply TO all APP
pcals for relief, to all efforts to redeem, or to I'll
arguments for the eommOnest principles Of not on
" mercy but justice Let us seeifit is not the on
ly reply they can make.
The repeal Of the Missouri Compromise was hail
ed by the democrats Of New England as q great
measure for extending the area Of freedom I'm
der the bsnignaut sway and mild dominion Of
"squatier Sovereignty every man could sit un
der the vine and fg-tree lie had planted in the will
derncss, with none to molest or to make him afraid
When, therefore, the frst reports Of the outrages
perpetrated by the ''border rufans' came to hand,
they charged the whole difficulty to the Eastern
Emigrant Aid Societies. According to their doc
triue, the Missouri depredators were only acting
on the defensive in burning hotels, destroying
printing-presses, and in numbering women and
children. When Reeder, their chosen governor,
finding himself powerless to check depredations
sanctioned by officers of the general government,
retired from the field, they denounced him as an
abolitionist as Justify aAhey had previously laud
ed him as unwavering democrat, and refused
credence to his statements. To most of this unfOr-
tunate class of our fellow citizens the fact TINT
Reeder could act honestly and oppose the designs
of the ''rufians' passed their comprehension.
In the removal Of Reeder and the appointment
Of Wilson Shannon, we were told that peace and
quiet would be restored to Kansas. How we'll that
promise was kept is fresh in the recollection Of ev-
cry one. During this time the burden of the diff
fculties was thrown upon the said societies and
the abolitionists. The career Of Shsnnon was at
length brought to q close, and Col. Ieary was APP
pointed, during the late Presidential canvass, as
his successor. o.
Now the scene changes. No sooner had Geary
received the appointment than the democrats were
willing to admit that some responsibility for all the
troubles that had afflicted the settlers of Kansas,
was justly chargeable to Governors Reeder and
Shannon. The former especially came in for no
small share Of denunciaton. The report of the
Investigating Committee had thrown such flood
of light upon the matter that our political oppo-
nents were compelled to adjust much of the blame
among their party officials. Hence Reeder was
made the scape-goat. But Geary, we were told,
was man Of decision, and would restore peace.
He would not only punish the abolitioniss, but he
would make an exampleof the Southern ''rufians .
Gov. Geary has discharged the duties of chief
executive in Kansas about seven months He COM
menced by forbidding companies of northern emf
grants from coming into the territory. This act
won for time the confidence of such regulators as
Col. Titus and his command. Soon the governor
gave this same colonel to understand that Nicara-
qua would furnish more inviting field for his OPP
erations than Kansas. This proceeding on the
part of the executive was much lauded by the Nor
thern democracy, and served to abate the indigna-
ton of the free-state men. From that day the
prestige of the governor was gone. He was found
not to be plable tool in che hands of the rufans
and his power was at an end. Since that time hi
has been annoyed and harrassed by Judge LIE
compte, and neglected by the administration tc
such an extent that his usefulness as magistrate
is at an end. He has resigned his office and pub
lished his reasons for so doing. .i.lU. es,l saI
The St. Louis Democrat, of March 18th, pub
fishes statement relative to the affairs of Kansas
given by Gov Geary. From it it appears that thu
cause of Gov. Geary's resignation was the failur,
of President Pierce to fulfil the pledges made q
the time of his (Geary's) appointment. Thes,
pledgeswere to support him with an army of mill
tia at the expense of the public treasury, if
sary; but instead of receiving this aid he has paic
900 out Of his own pocket,-the Administra
ton having refused military support under tn
most urgent circumstances, while he was thwartec
by the Judiciary of the Territory in every possible
manner.
The Governor states that fifty men were unde
oath from the day he entered the country till h
left it,, to assNssinate him; provided his official con
duct did not meet their appreciation He regret
the step he has been obliged to take but feels con
fdent that had the promised assistance been rem
dered he could have administered the affairs of tn
Territory in manner acceptable to honest settler
of both sides.
In relation to the outrages committed by pro
| slavery men, he says one-half has not yet beer
told. lie pronounces the murder of Buffum b,
Hays, the most cold-blooded and atrOcious afFai
ever witnessed His version of the Sherrard afIai
is similar to those already reported He says, how
ever, that the account published in the Republican
over the signature Of Jones, is a tissue of false
hoods. amt nea 81 ie1 rlDHaH aii 30
The Governor complains b;.serly of the abstrac
ton and mutilatiOn of correspondence He say
the mail-bags are constantly opened, and all OBJ
jectiOnable matter to or from him distracted TIL
Governor thinks the establishment of SLAYER,
Constitution inevitable. A a
Governor Geary's farewell address to the peopl
Of Kansas is also published 1t is sketch Of tn,
Governors administration, setting forth the pfeyi
Gus and present condition of the Territory, and re
counting the difficulties and embarrassments tina
have been thrown in his way. He says the grea
body Of the people are conservative and law-abid
ing people, and that they are willing to make sac
races for peace Tho troubles in the Territory. b,
contends, have been occasioned by ambitious schem
ers with no special interest in the Terriory's wei
fare-who never desired peace, and who will no
allow it to continue if they can prevent it.
We now are DESTROYS Of learning whether or no
the democracy will charge Gov Geary with having