Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1857-05-09
KANSAS.

KANSAS.
The address of Acting Governor STANTON to the
People of Kansas is in some quarters considered
an official exposition of the views of the Admins
traton. WhethF this be SO or not, the subject has
sufficient interest to induce us to put the address
upon record. It is in a temperate and concliatory
spirit
TO the People Of the Territory Of Kansas:
FELLOW CITIZENS The Hon Robert J. walker pre-
sent Governor of the Territory accepted his appointment
from the President upon condition that he should not be
Circumstances beyond his ntrol rendered it impossible
for him to before that day. he may therefore,
be expected here about the middle of month"; and
will then assume the executive authority of the Ter
ritory.
During the absence of the Governor, by the organic
law of the Territory the whole duties and responsibility
ties of the executive deyolyed upon by virtue of
my commission as Secretary. In assuming to exercise
the functions of this high Office this critical uncure
in the affairs of the Territory. it is not inappropriate
that should briefly indicate. the which shall
feel it my duty to pursue -:
The Government of the States recognises the
thoriy of the Territorial Government all which
within the scope of the organic of Congress and
consistent with the Federal Constitution. hold that
there be other rghtful authority exercised within
the limits of Kansas and shall proceed the faithful
and impartial execution of the laws of the Territory by
the use of all the placed in my power and which
may be necessary to that end
The Government especially recognises the Territorial
act which provides for assembling convention to form
constitution with view to making application to Con-
gress for admission State into the Union That act
regarded presenting the only test of the qualities
ton of voters for delegates the convention and all
preceding repugnant restrictions thereby repealed
In this light the must be allowed to have provided
for full and fair expression of the viii of the people
through the delegates who may be chosen to represent
them in the constitutional convention do not doubt
however.
to the peaceful operation of this law the convention t.
self will in form, provide for submitting the great
distractng question regarding their social institution,
which has so long agtated the people of Kansas to fair
vote of all the actual bona residents Of the Territory
with every possible security against fraud and violence
II the constitution be thus framed and the question of
difference thus submitted the decision of the people,
believe that Kansas will be admitted by Congress with
delay of the sovereign States of the American
Union, and the Territorial authorities viii be immediate
ly Withdrawn.
need scarcely say that all the power of the Terrific
rial executive will be exerted with entire impartialty,
to prevent fraud to suppress violence and to
every citizen fair opportunity for the safe and peace
full exercise of his elective privilege 1t will be less
the duty than the earnest desire and great pleasure of
the Governor acting Governor the Territory
ry out In good faith the policy avowed by the President
of the United States in his recent inaugural address in
which he declares it to be the imperative and indis
pensabe duty Of the Government of the United States to
secure to every resident nhaban the free and indie
pendent expression of his opinion by his vote. This
sacred right of each individual must be preserved and
THAT being accomplished nothing be fairer than to
leave the people of Territory, free from all foreign in
reference to decide their destiny for themselves,
subject only to the Constitution of the United States"
Nothing is wanting but the confidence of the
people of all parties in the sincerity Of the declared
intention of the Territorial executive carry these
principles in good faith in order induce the co-opera
ton OF all good men in the pending measures for adopt
ing State constitution The principles themselves cam
not fail to be acceptable to the sober judgment of the
people, and ardeRtly hope, for the sake Of the para
mount interests involved that the necessary confidence
| viii not be withheld.
The deplorable which have marked the history
of the Territory MP this have doubtless left their
tural results of enmity and heartbnrnngs among the
people, and also upon the criminal records of the Terri
toria courts Indictments have been feaard eeaInsV
many Of those who acted in military capacity under
the authority of the Territorial government for and
excuses alleged to be wholly illegal and unjustifabe.
On the other hand similar prosecutions have been inst
tued against those who resisted the Territorial auho
rites and who undertook retalate for the alleged
wrongs committed against them 1t is my deliberate
opinion that, in order to promote peace and harmony
and to secure the future repose the people, there ought
to be general amnesty IN reference to all those acts,
both Sides which grew of the political contest,
and which not corrupty and eloniousy committed
for personal gain and crafty individual malignity.
This measure if adopted all, ought be adopted ge
nerousy without any consideration of the origin of the
difficulty, and without question the party which
may be responsible for the wrong. 1t viii involve
concession or advantage to either party but will be
merely an acI vi ciehency deslghed TO oDerate as lar
as possible from the hearts of the people all memory Of
the disastrous and lamentabe which has hereto
fore desoated this unhappy Territory If it shall have
that effect though it may pardon instances of gross
wrong and outrage it will tend to calm the excited pas
sons of the people and to prevent similar
in the future 1t will be of Cancellation and
peace and will leave the people free from apprehension
in the future, that they securely devote them
selves to those important labors which destined to
make this Territory great, prosperous and happy
| State. FRED. p. STAN4DHfE
! Secretary and Acting Governor.
LEcoAPToN APRIL IL, 1857. -.