The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-04-25
Address of Eo.. F. P. stantor.
SECRETARY AND ACTING GOVERNOR
7otAe People ofMe Territory of Kansas.

1othe People Of tie Territory Of Kansas.
Fellow Caizens:-The Hon. Robert
j. Walker, present Governor of the
Territory. accepted his appointment
from the President, upon condition
that be should not be required to leave
Washington until the 18th May next.
Circumstances beyond his control rem
der it impossible for him to start be-
fore that day; he may, therefore, be
expected here about the middle of next
month, and will then assume the exc
cutiye authority of the Territory.
During the absence of the Cover
nor, by the organic law of the Terri
tory, the whole duties and response
bilities of the Executive are devolved
upon me by virtue of my commission
as Secretary. In assuming to exer-
else the functions of this high Office,
at this critical juncture in the affairs
of the Territory, it is not inappropri-
ate that l should briefly indicate the
course which l shall feel it my duty to
pursue.
The government Of the United
States recognizes the authority of the
Territorial government in all matters
which are within the scope of the or
ganic act of Congress, aud consistent
with the federal constitution. hold
that there can be no other rightful au
thority exercised within the limits OF
Kansas, and l shall proceed to the
faithful and impartial execution of
the laws of the Territory. by the use
of all the means placed in my power
and which may be necessary to that
end.
The government especially recogni-
zeS the Territorial act which provides
for assembling convention to form
constitution with view to making
application to Congress for admission
as State into the Union. That act
is regarded as presenting the only test
of the qualification of voters for dele
gates to the convention, and all pre-
cedingrepugnant restrictions are there
by repealed. In this light, the act
must be allowed to have provided for
a full and fair expression of the will
of the people through the delegates
who may be chosen to represent them
in the constitutional convention. do
not doubt, however, that, in order to
avoid all pretext for resistance to the
peaceful operation of this law, the con-
vention, itself, will, in some form, pro-
vide for submitting the great distract
ing question regarding their social in
stitution, which has SO long agitated
the people of Kansas, to fair vote Of
all the actual bona tide residents of the
territory, with every possible securi-
ty against fraud and violence. Ii the
constitution be thus framed, and the
question of difference thus submitted
to the decision of the people, | believe
that Kansas will be admitted by Con-
gress, without delay, as one of the
sovereign States of the American Un-
ion, and the Territorial authorities
will be Immediately withdrawn.
l need scarcely say that all the pow
er OF the territorial executive will be
exerted, with entire impartiality, to
prevent fraud, to suppress violence,
and to secure to every citizen fair
opportunity for the safe and peaceful
exercise of his elective privilege. 1t
will be no less the duty. than the ear
nest desire and great pleasure of the
Governor, or Acting Governor of the
territory, to carry out, in good faith.
the policy avowed by the President of
the United States in his recent Inau-
gural Address, in which he declares it
to be "the imperative and indispensa-
ble duty of the government of the
United States to secure to every resi-
dent inhabitant, the free and indepen-
dent expression of his opinion by his
vote. This sacred right of each indi-
vidual must be preserved" and, "that
being accomplished, nothing can be
fairer than to leave the people of a
Territory, free from all foreign inter
ference, to decide their own destiny
for themselves, subject OILY to the con-
stitution of the United States"
Nothing is wanting but to secure the
confidence. of the people oi all parties
in the sincerity OF the declared inten-
ton of the Territorial Executive to
carry out these principles in good
faith, in order to induce the co-ope-
ration OF all good men in the pending
measures for adopting State consti-
tuition. The principles themselves
cannot fail to he acceptable to the So
Der Judgment OF the people; and ar
IDENTIFY hope, for the sake OF the para
mount interests involved. that the nee
essary confidence will not be with
held.
The deplorable events which have
marked the history of the Territory
up to this have doubtless left their
natural results of enmity and heart
: burnings among the people. as also
upon the criminal records oil the Terri
torial couits. Indie. .msats were found
against many OF those who ac.ed In a
military capacity under the authority
of the Territorial government, for acts
and exceSses alleged to be wholly ille-
gal and unjusti6able. On the other
hand, similar prosecutions have been
instituted against those who resisted
the Territorial authorities, and who
undertook to retaliate for the alleged
wrongs committed against them. IL is
my deliberate opinion, that.in order to
promote peace and harmony. and to
secure the future repose OF the people,
J there ought to be general amnesty in
reference to all those acts, on both
sides. which grew out of the political
contest, and which were not corruptly
and feloniously committed for person
al gain, and to gratiiy individual ma
lignity. This measure. if adopted at
all, ought to be adopted generously,