Squatter sovereign. [volume] (Atchison, Kan. Terr.) 1855-1858, 1857-02-17
SPEECH OF mR. IEEKIEs.

/ full of embarrassment. had hoped, MIR
Chairman, that tic report of the Hon.
Chairman OF Committee on Federal Re-
! iations would have been satisfactorily
amended and sent forth, before this time.
that | would have been spared as a mem
Der OF that committee the support of re-
/ port, which it is presumed lad endorsed,
or premeditasod attack upon it jointly
with many honorable gentlemen who are
Justly very jealous Of our territorial reputa-
ton. ] was willing that this report. after
having Teen amended and revised as sta
ted, should go forth TO tie American poo
pie as the views of my constituents. on
matters so nearly affecting their honor and
future security; but. sir. circumstances oy-
er which we have no control, has given to
this matter a new direction, and it is ex-
Epected that all who desire to express them
selves on past issues and pariizan conduct
should do so-as duty to their represent
tatirc character and to the country. Sir,
shall endeavor to perform my part of
this task, with the independence and fear
lessness due the representative of spir-
tied people; honorable members Of this
now act otherwise.
The advent OF his Excellency. Gov.
Geary, was most unpropiiious. lie de-
seconded like a flashing meteor among us,
and in tie form of God of war ami bat
tie and with the memorable words of q
grea, Roman General, veni. vidi, psci,
came, saw, conquered, he Proclainied 10
the world he had conquered peace. My
friend, the gentleman from Atchison. has
exposed this piece of presumption and CO.
quetry. And had il pleased heaven 10
have averied it, or the presidential mind at
Washington to have postponed the arrival
of John w. Geary. in the territory, for
one short week, .cs would then have our
selves conquered a peace-yes, sir, con-
ou,rsd a peace. as durable and glorions as
the mobiles; specimen Of monumental his
tory. Our cherished territory then would
have been established upon basis imper-
ishable, and Kansas powerful in the plen-
itude OF choice gifts, could have held her
flag out proudly and misunderstanding all
lovers OF law and order 10 come TO her
prairies; 10 come to land of constItu-
tional freedom, a land where the madness
Of fanaticisln, the diabolical acts of So
called puritarism, the foul-noutheo clio,
/ quence of an in.pieiy deseerating the
places dedicated 10 the services of the
Most High, would have been as the echo
of the past-buried in the dishonored
grave of LACK oblivion.
Mr.. Chairman, let us glance atthc con-
dition Of things at the time of the arrival
of his Excellency. Under the proclama-
ton of the acting Governor, Mr.. Secrcta-
ry Woodson. who by the by, possessed by
law, all the authority arrogated by his sue
cessor calling upon all law and order
abiding men 10 rush to arms IN the de-
fence aud protection OF their outraged laws
gallant organization sprung up throughout
the territory. Sir, in these were to be
found our uoblest citizens. not mere irres-
ponsible advcnturers. but men, who had
| left behind iliemein the noble States that
gave them birth, services which reflected
honor and uselulness-men reared in sa-
cred respect for constitutional liberty and
States rigllts-nlen who never turned aside
from the grand revelations of reason and
and hisiory-neu, who never believed
that they were better aud wiser than their
honored forelathers, Nan, who had never
bore false witness 10 the word of the Most
High. because ii gave no authority for Ii
centiousness and fanaticism. Sir, MEN,
who could never be enrolled in thearm
of Isms--Aboltionisin Freemonlism,
Frcessilsm, Spiri,ualis.n, Mornonisn.
| Wakemanism, BarnuInism, Fourierism,
and last. bat not least. Ceresco- Freeioye-
ism. These gallant men associated to-
getller. having but one purpose in view,
the visiting just and condign punishment
upon a body of piraticai n,arauders. under
the notorious Lane. who was pushing a
vigorous and successful warfare against
tie life. liberty and property of the citi-
zens; their black flag recognizing no law
nclihe. human nor divine. The very cap
| itoI Of the country. the common ward of
the people. that sacred deposit of the ar
ciIiycs of our existence. and which all pat
riots without reference 10 party will rush
at all times 10 defend and protect from out
side violence and assault, threatened by ia
sianl and certain destruction.
Under these circumstances, sir, regard
.ess of expense, trouble, toll, and danger,
did these devoted men cheerfuiiy answer
the executive call. and FASTENED TO the