Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1857-03-27
THE CHRONICLE.
FRIDAY. MARCsl ~. 1857.
Gov. Geary On the Stand!

In the case of Freedom vs.. slavery
Hon. JOHN W. GEARY was summoned
as witness.
QUESTION. Mr. Gcary, You recently
occupied the post Of Governor OF the
Territory Of Kansas, and expressed a
great and abiding interest in its pros
perity: what is your present position
in regard 10 it?
ANSWER. did at the request Of
Mr.. Buchanan succeed GOV. Shannon
in that Office. In an Address to the
People of Kansas, dated Lccompton,
March u. 1857, publicly announced
nv determination TO resign the Exc
utive Office and retire to private life. "
Mr.. Secretary Woodsou, Of Virginia,
| have left as Acting Governor.
Ques. 1t was stated Oh one hand
during the last season that laE-lcsS
violence ragged in Kansas and Oh the
other hand that the accounts of mur-
ders and the "shrieks for bleeding
Kansas" were political humJugs, got
up for effect: which told truth
Ans. refer you to my Farewell
Address, before noted, in which | say,
"Desolasion dnk ruin rc,JacI az esery
hand homes aud ircsiies were deserted;
the smoke of burning dwellings, darkened
the atmosphere /; women and children,
driven from their halitat.ons, wandered
over the prairies and among tie woodlands,
or sought refuge and protection among the
Indian tribes. The highways were Infested
with numerous predatory bands, and the
towns fortified and garrisoued by armies OF
conflicting partizans de,eSntacG upon nlMt-
ual er,ernl motion. THE LAWS NARE
NULL. Such was, without cxsggaratlon,
the condition Of the Territory,at the period
Of my arrival"
Ques. Did you devote yourself IN
reservedly to your duties?
Ans. In my Address l state that
"For six months, | lab0red with unceas-
ing industry The accustomed needed
hours for sleep were employed in the pub
lie service. Night and day official duties
demanded unremitting attchtlon. L had
no proper leisure moments for rest or re-
creation My health failed under the pres
sure. Nor is this all to my own private
purse, without assurance OF reimbursement,
/ rssorted, in every emergency, for the re-
quired funds. | met with opposition and
bitter vitupera,ion, and vindictive malice"
Ques. Did you connect yourself to
either the Slave or Free State party?
Ansuer 81 have eschewed all sectional
disputations, kept aloof from all party
affiliations, and have alike scorned numer-
Gus threats of personal injury and violence,
and the most fiatter!ng promises of ad-
vancement and reward
Ques. What was the character OF
the members Of the Blue Lodges, Of
the Buford men, and of the borderers
who, according to the Congressional
Investigating Committees Report,
invaded Kansas in military array
with the avowed design Of establish
ing Slavery by force?
dns,rer. .'Nost Of the troubles which
lately agitated the Territory were occasion
ed by men who had no special interest in
its welfare Many Of them were not eoen
residents; whilst 1t is quite evident that
others were Influenced altogether in the
part they took in the disturbances by mer-
cenary or other personal considerations"
Ques. What was the character OF
those who came from distance
with their families, arms. and every
apparent intention Of carrying out in
good faith their ayowed purpose of
founding a Free State?
Ansuer. This great body Of the actuaI
citizens are coRserratjCe, ,ta'c abrttay, peace.
loving men, disposed rather to make sacri-
fces for cancellation ard consequent peace,
than TO insist for their entire nguts, sho' d
the general good thereby be caused to suf-
fer. Some Of them, under the influence
of the prevailing excitement and misguided
opinions, were led to the commission of
greviOus mistakes, but NOT with the de.
hberate intention of doing wrong"
Ques. What is your belief as to the
real political designs Of the reckless
Slavery propagandists
Ansper. "While the people generally
were anxious to pursue their peaceful call
ings, small combinations Of crafty, schem
Ing and designing men succeeded, from
purely selfish motives, in bringing upon
Them series of most lamentablc and de.
auIcoTe difficulties Nor are they satisfied
wi Tt'h the mischief they have already done
LuSy never desired that the present peace
sHou.a De ELECTED, sS~nor do they intend
.Ial II snail continue if they have pewer
:, prevent 1t ga They are not friends
haasas, and there is reason to fear tina.
.S .':ne r. OF them are not only the enemies o!
'n.s territory, Int IF dtc Union itse!f. IL
''oLoIIoN ~ Is THEIR ARDENT WISH, and
h'sSIS hr, Z en- =. 's,t.4 90 ~ ,ilc, 4