The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1857-04-02

that territory which seems to have been selected
for the battle-ground of Northern and Southern
sentiment. We therefore give place to the follow
ing address of Gov G9ary. True it conveys but
little information of any character, but ii will new
ertheless be sought for by The reading publc:l
Farewell Address of Gov. Geary to the People
of Kansas Territory.
Having determ ueJ to resign the Executive Of
flee, and retire again to the quiet scenes OF private
life and the enjoyment Of those domestic comforts
of which have so long been deprived deem it
proper to address you on the occasion of my de
parture
The Office from which now voluntarily with
draw, was unsought by me, and at the time Of its
acceptance, was by no means desirable. This was
quite evident, RON the deplurIble moral civil, and
political condition of the Territory--the discord,
contention and strife which then AMI there prevail
ed-and the painful anxiety with which it was re-
garded by patriotic citizens in every portion Of the
American Union To attempt 10 govern Kansas
al such period and under such circumstances was
to assume 10 ordinary responsibilities. Few men
could have desired to undertake the task and none
would have been so preSumptuOuS, without serious
forebodngs as to the result. That should have
hesitated is no matter of asonishment to those
acquainted with the facts but that accepte the
appointment, was well grounded source OF regret
on the enterprise as one that would terminate in
nothing but disaster to myself 1t not suppo-
sed 20 'sible that order could be brought, IN any
reasonable space Of time aud with the means at
my command, from the existing chaos.
Without disc inling upon the feelings, principles
and mott, es which prompted me- suiTie it 10 say,
that accepted the Presidents tender Of the Of
fee of Governor Ia doing so, sacrificed the com
forts OF hom,, endeLred by the strongest earthly
tics aud m gnprpl oSsppiutiOuS n pInbnrlS
undertaking which presented at the best but n
dark aud unsatisfactory prospect. | reached Kan
sas anl entered upon the discharge of my Off tial
duties in the most gloomy hour of history. Dts-
oIation and ruin reigned on every hand. Homes
and tiresides were deserted The smoke of burn
ing dwellings darkened the atmosphere. Women
and children, driven from their habaiuns, wander
ed over the pra res and among the woodlands, or
sought refuge aud proection even among h Ia
dian tribes. The highways were infested with nu
merouS predatory banls and the towns were iorii-
Fl ii an carrisOnsI BY armies Of conflicting par
IizanS, ca h eXci ed almost TO parenzy, and deter
mined up, II mutual exerminatiOn Such was,with-
out exaggr alton. the condition Of the Territory
at the period Of ny arrival Her treasury was
bankrupt.
There were no pccuniary sources within herself
to meet the eXigencies Of the time. The Congress
sionul appropriations, intended 10 detray the ex-
ptnse, Of year, were insufficient to meet the de-
nandi of fortnight. Tlc laws were null, the
eour,5 virtually suspended aud the civil arm OF
the government almost entirely p0wcr!cSs. Ac-
tion--promDt, decisive, energetic action-wls nee
eSSary. at once saw what Was ne ide,l, aud with.
out hesitation gave myself to the work. For six
months have labored with unceasilg industry
The accusto ned and needed hours 'or sleep have
been employed in the pnblic service Night and
dag have OIL .ia duties demanded unremittng at
ten,ion. | have had no proper leisure moments
for rest or recreation. Nor is this all; to my own
private purse, without assurance of reimbursement,
have lreSOrted in every emergency for the requir.
ed funds. Whether these arduous services aud
willing sacrifices have been beneficial to X snsas
AMI NY country, you are abunjaatly qualified to
determine.
Thai have met with opposition and even Bit
ter vitupcrdton and vniictlve malice is no matter
for astouislment NJ man has ever yet held an
important or responsible post in our own or any
o ner com ry an escaped censure shoull
have been weak and foolish indeed, had expect
TO pass through the fiery ordeal unsca Ihedespe,
ly AS was requlred,f not to come in conflict with,
at least TO hwart evil Vaccinations, and hold in
restraint wicked passions OF rid the territory of
many Iawlcss reckless and desperate men. Besides.
it were impossible to come in contact with the COLI
fleeing interests which governed the conduct OF
many wei disposed persons. without becoming an
oh1c, uf miStrust AMI abuse. While from 9th
erS, whose sole object WIS notorously pers NAL
advancement at auy Sdcr ice of the general good,
and at every hazard, it would have been ridiculous
to anticipate the need of praise for dsinterested
action. And hence, however alpabe might have
been my patriotism, however Just my olfi.lal con-
duct or however beneficial its results | do not
marvel that my motives have been impugned and
my integrity maligned 1t is, however SO well
known, that need scarcely record tine fact, that
those who have attributed my labors to desire
Tor gubernatoral or senatorial honurs, were and
themselves the aspirunrS for those high trusts
and powers, and iooshly imagined that stood be-
tween them and the coasummation of their ambi
touS designs aud high towering hopes
Bu whatever may be thought or said of my
motives or desires have the proud coiscouS-
ness of leaving this scene of my severe a. d anxious
toll with clean hands, and the satisfactory convc-
ton that lie who can penetrate the mmOst recess
of the heart, and read its secret thoughts will
approve my purposes and acts In the discharge
OF my executive functions, have invariably sought
to do equal ami exact justice to all men, however
humble or exalted. | have eschewel all sectional
diSputatloms, kept aIoof from all party affiliations
and have alike scOrued numerous threats Of per-
sonal injury and violence, and the must hatterng
promises Of advancement and reward. And ask
and claim nothing more for the part have acted
than the simple merit of having endeuvOred to
perform my duty. This have dom, at all times
aud upon every occasion, regardless Of the opin
ions of men, an utterly fearless of consequences
Occasionally have been forced to assume great re
sponsib.lties, aad depend solely upon my own re-
sources to accomplish important en,li but in all
such instances, have carefully examined surround
ing circumstances weighed we'll the probable re.
s hts, and acted upon my own deliberate judg
ment aud in now reviewing them, am SO wei
satisfied with the policy uniformly pursued, that
wereic TO be done over again it should not be
charged in the slightest particular.
! In parting with you eau do no less than give
| you few words of kindly advice, and even o.
friendly W rrning You are well aware that most
the troubles which lately agitated the Territory
were occasionel by men who had no especial inter
est in its welfare. Many of them were not ever
1 residents whilst it is quite evident that other
we influenced altnmethn in tho nnrt thnr tool II