Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1857-04-02
FAREWE ELL ADORE SIS
GOV. JOHN w. GEARY.
To the People Of Kansas Territory.

| OluCS anu FttlTe again 10 the QuieC scenes OF
private life, and the enjoyment of those domestic
comforts of which have so long been deprv.
ed, deem it proper to address you on the oc
casion of my departure.
The Office from which I voluntarily with
draw, was unsought by me, and at the time OF
its acceptance was by no means desirable
This was quite evident from the deplorabie
moral, civil and political condition of the Ter
ritory-the discord, contention and deadly
strife which then and there prevailed, and the
painful anxiety with which it was regarded by
| patriotic citizens in every portion of the Anne
rican Union To attempt to govern Kansas
at such period, and under such circumstances,
was to assume no ordinary responsibilities.
Few men could have desired 10 undertake the
| task, and none would have been so presump-
| tous, without serious forebodings as to the re-
suit. That should have hesitated, is no mat
| ter Of astonishment to those acquainted with
the facts but that accepted the appoint
ment, was well-grounded source of regret to
many of my we'll tried friends who looked upon
the enterprise as one that could terminate in
nothing but disaster to myself. 1t was not
supposed that order could be brought in any
reasonable space of time, and with the means
at my command, from the then existing chaos
Without descanting upon the feelings, prin-
ciples and motives which prompted me, suffice
to say. that | accepted the Presidents tender
of the Office of Governor In doing So sac
rifced the comforts of a home, endeared by
the strongest earthly ties and sacred associa-
tions, to embark in an undertaking which pre-
sented at the best but dark and unsatisfacto
ry prospect. reached Kansas, and entered
upon the discharge of my official duties, in the
most gloomy hour of her history. Desolaton
and ruin reigned on every hand homes and
firesides were deserted ; the smoke of burning
dwellings darkened the atmosphere women
and children driven from their habitations,
wandered over the prairies among the wood
lands, or sought refuge and protection even
among the Indian tribes. The highways were
infested with numerous predatory bands, and
the towns were fortified and garrisoned by ar
mics of conflicting partizans each excited almost
to frenzy, and determined upon mutual exter-
mination. Such was, without exaggeration,
the condition of the Territory, at the period Of
my arrival. Her treasury was bankrupt
There were no pecuniary resources within her.
self to meet the exigences of the time. The
Congressional appropriations, intended to de-
fray the expenses of a year, were insufficient
were null, the Courts virtually suspended, and
the civil arm of the Government almost en-
tirely powerless. Action-prompt, decisive
energetic action-was necessary | at once
saw what was needed and without hesitation
gave myself to the work For, six months
have labored with unceasing industry The
accustomed and needed hours for sleep have
been employed in the public service Night
L., oG., i'll i I =
ting attention. l have had no proper leisure
moments for rest or recreation Nv health
has failed under the pressure Nor is this all ::
to my own private purse, without assurance of
reimbursement, have | resorted, in every emer-
gency, for the required funds Whether these
arduous services and willing sacrifices have been
beneficial to Kansas and my country, you are
abundautly qualified to determine.
That have met with opposition; and even
bitter vituperation and yindictiYe malice, is no
matter for astoniShr1ent No man has ever
yet held an important or responsible post in
our own or any other country and escaped cen
sure. ! should have been weak and foolish in
deed had | expected to pass through the fiery
ordeal entirely unscathed, especially as l was
REQUIRED. if not to come in conflict with, at
least to thwart evil Vaccinations. and hold in
restraint wicked passions, or rid the Territory
of many lawess, reckless and desperate men
Beside, it were impossible to come in contact
with the conflicting interests which governed
the conduct of many well-dsposel persons
without becoming an object Of mistrHst and
abuse While Others, whose sole object was
notoriously personal advancement at any sacri-
flee of the public good and st every hazard, it
would have been ridiculous to anticipate the
need of praise for ,diSintercsted action and
hence however palpable might have been my
patriotism, however just my official conduct, or
however beneficial In its results, [ do not
marvel that my motives have been impugned,
and my integrity magned 1t is, however so
we'll known, that | need scarcely record the
fact, that those who have attributed my labors
to desire for gubernatorial or senatorial hon
ors, were, and are themselves the aspirants for
those high trusts and powers, and fooliSlIly i'm
agined that stood between them aud the con-
sumation of their ambitious designs and tower
ing hopes. =
But whatever may be thought or said of my
motives or desires, have the prond conscious
ness of leaving this scene of my severe and
anxious toll with clean hands, and the satisfac-
tory conviction that He who can penetrate the
inmost recesses of the heart, and read its Sc
cret thoughts, will approve my purposes and
acts in the discharge of my executive fuDc-
tions, have invariably sought to do eqnal
and exact Justice to all men, however humble
or exalted. | have eschewed all sectional
disputations, kept aloof from all party atfilia-
tions, and have alike scorned numerous threats
of personal injury and violence, and the most
fattering promises of advancement and reward
And ask and claim nothing more for the
part have acted, than the simple merit Of
having endeavored to perform my duty. This
/ have done, at all times and upon every oc-
easion, regardless Of the opinions of meu, anil
utterly fearless Of consequences Occasional