Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1857-04-03

Farewell Address or Gov. Geary.
70 the People of Kansas:
Having determined resign the Executive office.
and retire again to the of priv ate life, and TIE
enjoyment of those domestic comforts Of which
have SO long been deprived. deem i. proper to add
dress you on the occasion of my departure.
The Office from which now voluntarily withdraw
was unsonght by me, and at the time of it's accep-
lance as by no means desirable. This was quite
evident from the deplorabe moral. civil and political
condition Of the territory-the discord, contention
and deadly strife which then and there prevailed
and the painful anxiety with which il vas regarded
Union. To attempt 10 govern Kansas al such Pc
riod and under such circumstances, was to assume
no ordinary responsibilities. Few men coud have
desired TO undertake the task and none would have
been so presumptuous, without serious forebodings
as 10 the result. That should have hesiated is no
matter of asonisbmeD, 10 those acquainted with the
facts; but that accepted the appointment was well
grounded source of regret 10 many Of my well tried
friends who looked upon Il enterprise one that
could terminate in nothing but disaster to myself
II was not supposed possible 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, principles
and motives which prompted me, suffice it to say,
that accepted the Presidents tender of the Office of
Governor. In doing so, sacrificed the comforts of a
home, eDdea ed by Il sror gest earthly ties and most
which presented at the best but dark and unsatis-
factory prospect. | reached Kansas aud enterad up
on the discharge of my official duties in the most
gloomy hour of her history. Desolaton and ruin
regned on every hand homes and fresides were de-.
serted the smoke of burning dwellings darkened
the atmosphere women and Children driven from
their habaions, wandered over the prairies and
among the woodlands, and sought refuge and prolec-
ton among the Indian tribes. The highways
were infested with numerous predatory bands. and
the towns fortified and garrisoned by armies of
conflicting partzans, each excited almost to frenzy,
and determined upon mutual exterminatoR. Such
was without exaggeratIon, the condition cf the terri.
tory at the period of my arrival Her treasury was
bankrupt There were pecuniary resources with
in herself TO meet the exigencies of The times
The Congressional appropriations, intended TO de-
fray the expenses of year, were insufficient to meet
the demands of fortnight. The laws null.
the courts virtually suspended, and the civil of
the Government almost entirely powerless. Action
prompt decisive, energetic action-was necessary
at once saw what was needed, and without hes
itaiicr gave myself to lbe work. For six months |
have labored with unceasing industry. The accus
toned and needed hours for sleep have been employ
ed in the public service. Night and day have off,
cial duties demanded unr hitting attention. ] have
had no proper leisure ments for rest recreation
My health has failed under the pressure. Nor is this
all to my own private purse, without assurance Of
reimbursement, have resorted, in every emergency,
vices and willing sacrifices have been beneficial 10
Kansas and my country you are abundanily qualified
to determine.
That have met with opposition, and even bitter
vuperatlOn. and vndictive malice, is no matter Of
astonshment No man has ever vet held an in DOR
tan or responsible post in or any other coun
try, and escaped censure. should have been very
weak and foolish indeed had expected 10 pass
through the fiery ordeal entirel unscahed, especial
ly as was required, if not to in conflict with,
at least 10 thW art evil Vaccinations and hold in res
trant wicked passions, rid the territory of many
laW'ess, reckless and desperate men. Beside, it
were impossible to come in contact with the conflict
ing interests which governed the conduct of many
we'll disposed persons without becoming an object of
mstrust and abuse. While from Others, whose sole
object was VIGOROUSLY personal advancement, at any
sacrifice of the general good and at every haZatd il
would have been ridiculous 10 anticipate the msed
f praise for disinte ested action and hence how.
ever palpabIe might have been my patriotism, how
ever Just my official conduct, or however beneficial
in it's results, do not marvel that my motives have
been Impugned and my integrity maligned II is,
however, we'll known that need scarcely record
the fact tina! those who have attributed my labors
desire for gubernatora or senatorial honors. were
and are themselves the asprants for those high trusts
and powers, and toolishly imagined that stood be.
tween them and the contamination of their ambitious
designs and high-towering hopes
But whatever may be thought or said of my mo.
lives UT ueeHes: nave pTOuu consolation OF leaV-
ing this scene OF my severe and anxious toll with
clean hands, and the satisfactory conviction that he
who gan penetrate the Utmost of the heart,
and read its secret thoughts, will approve my pur-
poses and acts In the discharge of my executive
functions, have invariably sought to do equal and
exact justice 10 all men, however humble or exalted.
have eschewsd all sectional Jspuations, kept aloof
from all party afliationt and have alike scorned nu.
merous threats of personal injury and violence and
the most Hatterlng promises OF advancement and
ward. 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 occasion, regardless Of
The opinions OF men. AID utter = fearless of conse.
quences. Occasionally have been forced 10 assume
great responsibilities, and depend solely upon my
own resources 10 accomplish important ends /; but in
all such instances, have carefully examined sur
rounding circumstances, weighed yell the proba BILE
results. and acted upon my own debrra'e Judgment
and IN now reviewing them, 80 we'll satisfied
with the policy uniformly pursued, that were it to be
done over again, it should not be changed 10 the
slightest particular.
In parting with you can DO no less than give you
few words of kindly advice, and even of friendly
warning. You well aware that most of the trou.
bes which lately agitated the Territory, were occa-
stoned by who bad special interest lis well
fare Many of them were no; ven residents whilst
ii is quite evident that others ere infuenced alto.
getbsr in the part they to"k j" he disturbances by
mercenary or other personal considerations. The
great body of the actual citizens are conservative.
law abiding, peaceoving 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 influence of the prevailing excitement and
misguided opinions, were led 10 the commission OF
greyous mistakes but not with the deliberate inten.
ton of doing wrong.
A very few men resolved upon mischief may keep
in state of unhealthy excitement and nvolve in