The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-01-22

Message Or the Governor Of Wisconsin.
Governor Coles BashSord delivered his annual
message to the Legislature Of Wisconsin on the
18th inst. The following are the only portions Of the
document which do no, relate strictly to the internal
affairs of the State:-
RIVER AND HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS.
The ubect OF river and harbOr improvements rs
one in which State has vital interest, situated
as she h at the head of the two great natural chan
nels Of internal navigation which penetrate to the
heart Of the cOntinent-the Mississippi on the one
hand, connecting US with the Gulf of Mexico, and
the lakes upon the other, leading to the Allan
tic BY the other Of these routes the greater
portion of The surplus products OF our agrieu-
dural and mineral districts find their way to market
II is estimated, by persons competent to form an in
tegent opinion, that the losses on the upper lakes
alone for the year 1885, reach the en- ,rmOus aggre
gate Of four millions of dollars, besides the destruc
ton OF many valuable lives la the general sacri'
suffered largely. The Western States pay an iul-
poItant share of the indirect taxation for the sup
port of the general government. None contribute
more in proportion 10 their population-none are
more loyal in their devotion TO the general veal and
while the national Golfers are contessedy overflow
ing with the accumulation of surplus treasures 1t is
but the dictate OF common justice that Congress
should make ibeIa appropriations for the improve
ment of Western rivers and harbors, and the cOnse-
auent greater security of life and property Iwould
therefore recommend that you memorabilia that
body on this subject asking for appropriations OF
this character commensurate with our wants anu
our increasing commerce.
CITIZENS OF WISCONSIN IN KANSAS.
herewith transmit to you the petition OF VIM. II.
Gill, r. ID. Nichols, Walter Florentine, Cyrus ;.
Gleason, Elizur Hills, and Oliver Langworthy, set
ting forth that they were formerly citizens OF this
State; that having emigrated to Kansas Territory,
they have been thrown into prison at Lecompton,
upon charges Of high crimes, notwithstanding that
their only offence has consisted III defending them
tna incf
lied band of armed marauders from the state OF
Missouri, who were engaged in the most unbrldled
excuses; pillagng property, burning dwellings and
numbering the weak and defcnceiess Upon the re-
ceipt of this petition, | addressed letter to
Governor Geary in behalf OF the petitioners,
strongly urging him to use his influence in pro-
tecting them against such injustice. since then,
however, l have learned nothing further re-
specting them. In q message addressed to your
predecessors, during their adjourned session, he'd
occasion to call attention to similar outrages and
then suggested the propriety OF the ADOPTION OF
measures for the protection OF our cltizens IN the
possession Of their constitutional right to liberty aud
safe transit through any portion Of oar common
country These renewed Instances of lawless and
wanton oppression will Justify me in again directing
your attention to the subject
KANSAS AND SLAVERY.
For the past few weeks greater degree OF quiet
seems to have prevailed in that Territory. Peace APP
pears at least temporarily restored, and hopes are
entertained that citizens OF this and other free
States will hereafter be permitted TO remain there IN
the prosecution Of their lawful and legitimate bsi
ness, secure from further violence and rapine.
This change is undoubtedly attributable in part to
the manifest determination OF the free States to pro
tect their citizens who have settled In good faith
in the Territory of Kansas, and In part 10 the
aroused public sentiment throughout the same por.
ton OF the Union against the further extension OF
slavery. The present tranquility, however, may DC
followed at any moment by new outbreaks. From
those who seek to exclude free labor from that Ter
1itory by the introduction Of African slavery we
have nothing to hope. II by another effort they
she uld deem it possible to accomplish this cherished
purpose, the attempt will be made and the disturb
ances and violences OF the past renewed. In my
judgment, therefore, duty, as well as prudence, de
mand that we stand fully up to the position we have
already assumed, and hold ourselves in readiness 10
render all constitutional aid within our power to
such of our citizens as have become peaceable and
bona fde settlers IN Kansas, whenever the general
government shall fail to afford them adequate pro
lection. An out spoken and settled determination
on the part of the free states not to swerve in the
maintenance Of this position is the surest guarantee
OF peace and freeuom in Kansas.
THE PBEslnEsT's MESSAGE.
cannot allow this occasion 10 pass without re-
peliBg the grossly unjust mputahons cast upon the
people of this in common with those OF majority
of the free States. by the present chief magistrate OF
the republic, in his late annual message. a large
majority Of the ectors Of Wisconsin stand charged
by him with hostility TO other portions OF the Union,
with desire TO interfere with the domesti, institu
lions of other States, and with participating in
revolutionary movement, the object OF which IS at
iainabe only by the path Of civil strife, and which
would inevitably lead to the disruption OF the coun
try. The mdest language I can apply to such
charges Is TO pronounce them most unjust and m
warrant table. No State Ia more fondly attached ~
the Union than our own; no people more loyal ID
the constitution, or more scrupulous in their reg
for the rights OF Others than those of Wisconsin. j.
IL true that they have offered from the President
on important questions OF national policy; but that
opinion has been honestly and conscientiously en-
tertained, and feel il my duty TO characterize the
sweeping allegations Of the President, in his mes
sage, in this respect, as i'll timed, undigniied and
untrue.