The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-02-05
MESSAGE OF GOVERNOR GEARY.


extracts from the message of Governor Geary
recommending the repeal of the most obnox
ious statutes in Kansas. The message is long
well constructed, and written with much force
| Appointed by an Administration which made
the repeal of the Missouri Compromise the
leading measure of its policy, he could not bs
expected to do otherwise than sustain it. Ac
cordingly, he pronounces it wise and bene6
cent measure. The Compromise was ga re-
striction on popular sovereignty; its repea
"anew consecrated the great doctrine of self
government, and restored to the people their
full control over every question of interest tc
themselves, both north and south Of that line. ,
But, like other advocates of popular aover
eighty in Territories, he would qualify it in its
bearing on the subject of Slavery,-he would
have the people abstain from any action touch.
ing it, till they come to form State Constitu-
| ton.
"On the delicate and exciting question OF
| Slavery, subject which so peculiarly engaged
| the attention of Congress st the passage of our
| Organic Act, cannot too earnestly invoke you
| to permit it to remain where the Constitution
of the United States and that act place it, sub
ject to the decision of the courts upon all points
arising during our present infant condition.
This means that in his judgment the bogus
Legislature should repeal the slave code, and
totally abstain from all legislation in regard to
Slavery, pro or CON leaving the question
whether slave may be held, as such, under
the Organic act and the Federal Constitution,
in the Territory, to be settled by the Courts. In
other words, complete as popular sovereignty
is, on this point it should abstain from action
RecolIect, the great object of the repeal of the
Compromise was, TO restore to the people of a
Territory their full control over every subject
of interest to them; but this having been &C.
complished, the true policy, the Governor
thinks, is to abstain from all control over the
subject of greatest interest to them, and to
leave it to be settled by the Judiciary!!
Governor Geary recognises the bogus Legis-
lature as valid. What else could be expected?
Unfortunately, Gov Reeder ga~o his sane
ton to the spurious elections by which mem
bers were returned. We repeat what we have
often said, that he ought never to have recog-
Missed that body as Legislature; that he
claring the legitimate election of its members !;
that he ought to have proclaimed the entire
transaction wholesale fraud and violence.
But he did not do so; and what could be ex-
pected of his successors, appointed by such an
Administration, but that they would recognise
as valid an election which be had authentica-
ted? We say not word in justification of the
position of Governor Geary, but concedng that
he believes it well taken, he deserves credit
for his various Recommendations in regard to
the repeal of the obnoxious acts of the spurious
Legislature. Here he is sensible, frank, and
manly.
He calls attention to discrepancies between
the Organic act as printed with the statutes,
and the same act as certified by the State De-
partment in Washington. For example, the
following important words are omitted in
the section of the former, defining the Execu-
tive authority" Against the laws of said Ter
ritory, and reprieve for offences"
The act vesting the appointment of Probate
Judges, County Commissioner, and other pub
lie officers, in the Legislative Assembly be says,
ought to be repealed, and the unqualified right
of election be conferred on the people.
The recommendations with regard to test
oaths, the ballot, the purity Of the elective
franchise, jurors, patrols, and slaves, we quoted
last week. Other measures of equal value are
recommended, but as they relate 10 no question
of national interest, it is not worth while to
notice them. A good deal of rhetoric is used
in trying to impress the so-caled Legislature
with high sense of duty, but We fear it is
thrown away. From such body little is to
be expected.
DeD~ We insert the following, so that it may
meet the eye of our Revieper.
"The author of the Torchight' would re-
specially request the critic, who has quoted
from her boot; Incorrectly, and with gross care
tessness, to repair the injury which he has done
her, by publicly acknowledging the error. The
omission of three lines, in the middle of para
graph, without regard to the union of sentences,
has a tendency to make paragraph INGRAM
matical.'
WEATHER IN New ORLEANs.-The New Or
leans Bulletin of the 18th inst, after speaking
of the severe weather at the North, says:
In this city, our winter has been unusually
pleasant. In fact, we have had but few really
unpleasant days. During the entire fall, and
most of the winter, thus far, roses have been in
constant bloom in the open air and to-day,
vioets may be picked in many gardens of New
Orleans"
SLAVE EXEMPTION IN MISSISSIPPI. - The
Jackson Mississippian says:
Yesterday evening, after a long and inter.
esting discussion Of two days, the following
amendment, offered by Mr.. Elicit to the course
bill, exempting portion of slave property from
sale under execution, passed the Senate by 20
yeas to 5 nays:
Exemptng zone slave, to be selected By
the debtor, if he have more than one: and
should such debtor elect to retain a female
slave, then, all the children of such female.
under the age of twelve years, shall likewise be
exempted
The WEATHER. Chicago, Jan. 26.-The
weather is moderate. IL has been raining and
thawing since noon. All the railroads in this
vicinity are open, but the trains are yerv irreg.
uiar. Advices from Davenport state that there
| have been no trains over the Mississipn; and
| Missouri railroad since the 18th inst.
| Portland, Jan. 26.-Our harbor is open. and
| the weather is moderating. The thermometer
| is only degrees below zero this morning.