Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1857-04-02
PLYMOUTH, THURSDAY, APRIL e 1857.


times, and on everyoccasion, regardless o.
the opinions Of men, and utterly fearless OF
the consequences, Occasionally, / have
been forced TO assume great responsibill
ties. and depend solely uyon, my own re-
sources to accomplish important ends; but
in all such instances. L have carefully ex
amined surrounding circumstances, weigh
ed well the probable results. and acted upon
my own deliberate judgment; and in now
reviewing them, am well satisfied, that the
policy uniformly pursued, that were it to
be done over again. it should moi be chang
ed in the slightest particular:
nparung with you l can dono less than
give you few words of kindly advice, and
even friendly warning. You are well
aware that the most of the troubles which
lately agitated the Territory. were occasion.
ed by men who had no especial interest in
its welfare Many of them are not even
residents; whilst it is quite evident that
others, were influenced altogether in the
part they took in the disturbance by mer-
cenart or other personal considerations
The great body of the actual citizens are
tonservative, law abiding and peace loving
men, disposed rather TO make sacrifices for
Cancellation and consequent peace, than to
insist for their entire rights should the gen
eral good thereby be caused to suffer -
Some of them. under the prevailing excite
ment and misguided opinions, were led TO
the commission of grievous mistakes, but
not will. the deliberate intention of DOING
wrong. aw7. eA; 'gn,
A very few men resolved upon mischief
may keep in a state of unhealthy excitement
and involve in fearful srtife an entire COM
munity This was demonstrated during
the civil commotions with which the Terri
tory was convulsed. While the people
generally were anxious to pursue their
peaceful calings, small combinations of
crafty, scheming, and designing men sue
ceeded, from purely selfish motives, in
bringing upon them series of most lament
able and destructive difficulties. Nor are
they satisfied with tn. mischief already
done. They never desired that the pres
ent peace should be effected; nor they in
tend that 1t shall continue if they have the
power to prevent it. n the constant
croakings of disailec;ed individuals in va
rious sections. you hear only the express
sioI.s of evil desires and intentions. Watch,
then, with special, Jealous and suspicious
eye, those wd0 are continually indulging
surmises of renewed hosIiiiiies. 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 of
the Union itself. Its dissolution is their
ardent wish, and Kansas has been selected
as fit place to commence the accomplish
ment of most nefarious design. The
scheme has thus far been frustrated; but il
has not been abandoned. You are entrust-
ed, not only with the guardianship Of the
Territory, bu the Union, which depends
upon you in a greater degree than You
may at present suppose.
You should. therefore frown down every
effort to foment -discord, and especially TO
array settlers from different sections OF the
Union in hostility against each other. All
true patriots, whether from the North or
South, the East or West, should unite to-
gether for that which is and must be re-
garded as common eau C, the preserva-
ton of the Union;.. and he who shall whis-
per a desire for its dissolution, whatever
may be his pretenli"ns, or to whatever fac
tion or party he claims to belong, is un-
worthy of your confidence. deserves your
strongest reprobation. and shoult be brand
ed as traitor to his country. There is a
voice crying from the grave of one whose
memory is dearly cherished in every pat
riotic heart, and let il not cry in vain. 1t
tells you that this attempt at dissolution is
no new thing; but that even as early as the
davs Of our first President, it was agitated
by ambitious aspirants for place and power
And if the appeal of still more recent he
ro aud patriot was needed in his time, how
much more applicable is it now, and in
this Territory. ef yff
The possible dissolution Of the Union"
he says. "has at length became an ordina-
ry anI familiar subject Of discussion. Has
the warning voice of Washington been for
gotten? or have designs already been made
to sever the Union? Let it not be sup
posed that impute to all of those who
have taken. an active part in these unwise
andun profitable discussions, awant of pat
riotism or Of public virtue. The honora-
S'S '~S"''SS VI o'"aS PiiuC "uo iOCssi altacD-
ments, fad place in the bosoms of the
most enlightened and pure. But while
such men are conscious Of their own integ-
rity ard honesty of purpose. they ought
never forget that the citizens of other States
are their political brethern; and that how
ever mistaken they may be in their views,
the great body of them are equally hon.
est and upright will, themselves. Mu-
tual suspicious and reproaches NAV, in
time create mutual hostility. and artfui and
designing men will always be found who
are ready to foment these fatal divisions,
and to infame the natural jealousies of diff
erent sections of the country, The history
of the world is full of such examples. and
especially the history Of republics"
When look upon the present condition
of the Territory, and contrast it with what
it was when | first entered it, feel satis-
fed that my administration had not been
prejudical to itsinterests. Onevery hand, 1
now perceive unmistakabIe signs Of pros
perity. The honest settler occupies his
quiet dwelling, with his wife and children
clustering around him, .unmolested, and