Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-05-08
ADDRESS OF HON. F. p. STANTON. 81
TARY AND ACTING GOVERNOR. TOi
PEOPLE OF KANSAS TERRITORY.

FELLOW .CITIzENs.-iIon. Robert j. Walk4.
sent Governor OF the Territory, accepted his 90
ment from the President upon condition y
should not be II CURED TO leave Washington !. I
hrrt of next mouth, and circumstances be!
control render il Impossible for him 10 start I
that day; he may therefore bs expected here 4
th- middle Of next month, End will then ASST
Executive authority cf the Territory.
Daring the absence { the Governor, by II
game law o: the Territory, the whole duties 4
spon-ihiiiiies Of the Exet utive are devolvsd u.i
by virtue ot my commission HI Secretary. 4
Stunning TO exercise the functions o! THE high a
this critical junciure u the sfl-irs Of the Terms
is not nappropr Ale thar | should briefly indrst
course WHICH shall pursue.
Tue G. ,vernm-pt vi ihs United States recc3
the authority or tie Territorial! Governmer, {
matters which a-e within the scope o! the 4
act OF Congress, and consistent. with the "a
Constitution. hold that there can be no 7
righ;;al as,!ior'y, xarcl.ed within The limits o /
sa.. aud shall proceed 20 the faithful and ind
execution vt the AWE nj the Territory, by the !
all the means placed in ms power, and which q
necessary TO tia, end.
TIE Government especially recognizes the II
rial act which provides Tor assembling the u
ton to prop su Il Constitution, with aview Of n
application 10 COncr"ss tor admission az q Stst
the Union. Thst act is recognized a. presenti4
only test of the qualification of voters for de |
tothe Convention, and ell preceding repuga.l
s;-ictions are hereby repealed. In this high, Il
must be- allowed to have provided for full 8:
expression o. the will OF the people through nj
gates who Inay be chosen 10 represent them
Constitutional Convention. l DO not doubt
ever tina; IL order 10 avoid all pretcAt for resi-
10 the peaceful operation Of this law, the Conr,j
itselt will in some form provide for aubmi''irl
erea, dis'ractiDg question regarding their socs
tuition, which has 20 long sgra,ed the people q
Eng, 10 a fair vote III nj! the actual iona :ds re-
OF the Territory with every possible security u
fraud and violence. Ii the Constitution be
framed, and tbs question OF difference thus sut1l
10 the decision Of the people, believe that u
of The Sovereign States Ut the American mon
the Territorial authorities will be- immediately 1
drawn.
| need scarcely say that all the power OF ~
rilOrial Executive Will bc exrfted with entire
TALLY TO prevent fraud Ia suppress violence y
secure 10 every citizen n fair opportunity for ~
snd peaceful exercise Of the election PRIVILEGE
il will be no ie-s the duty than the earnest de't
great pleasure of the Governor, or acting G. \
OF the Territory. 10 carry out in good faith the =
avowed by III. President Of the United State {
recent inaugural address, in hi,h be declsrl
be 9TH. imperative and indispensable duty +
Government Of the United States to SECURE u
resident inheb':aht The free and independent, z
sion al bis apinl"I by bio vote. This sacred ri
each individual must be preserved" aud 'tbs :
accomplished, nothing can be faircr than 10 lr:f
people Of the Territory, free from all foreie. .
ence, to decide their own destiny for theD'
subject only TO the Constitution OF the United 81
Nothing is wanting but to secure the confb
the people of all PARTIES in the sincerity Of .
cIared intentions of the Territorial Executive .
81, r. ..l- 4
the cooperation of all good men in the penditi
surss for adopting STATE Constitution The 2
pies themselves cannot fail 70 b. acceptable :
sober judgment 81 the people, and ard-ntl
for The sake of the .aTaInUun. in.rests INVOLVE
tna necessary conf d-Lce vi; not ba withheld I,
The deploraiic rI rulJ Hnich hGye marked II
tory vi the Territory up to ;hi', have doubtet
their natural results of eumy and heartfelt
among the people, as also upon The crimna =
OF the Territorial Courts. Indictments has,
found against many OF those who ACTED 10 H'i
capacity under the authority OF the Territorial |
eminent, for acts and excuses alleged to DC
Illegal and unjust!fabIe. On the other hand,
proxcutiOns nave bren instituted against thu !
rerlstsd the Territorial authorities. and who
took {" r.'siiate for the alleged wrongs con'
against them.
1, /, Nay deliberate opinion that, in order 10 p
peace ard harmony, aud to SECURE the future /
OF the people, tbere ought tn be d general anu
reference 10 all these acts on both tides, wh'c'
out OF the political contest. and which were u
| ruptly aud feoninusly committed for persols
and To crafty individual maigBify. These met !
if adopted dt all, ought to be adopted geD,'
without any consideration Of The origin Oh 'h'
Guilty, or without gu. stlon as 10 the party whe'
be responsible for the wrong. II will involve
cession or advantage to either party, but
merely an act Of cleinency, designed to ooims
far a. possible, from the h-nr,s OF the people
mory of the disastrous and lsm-n'able COMES
has heretofore d-solatec this unhappy Terrific
Ii it shall have that effect, though it ma!
some instances of gross wrong and Ou'rsgs
tend 10 cain the excited passions OF the peep
! to prevent elm lar occurrences IN the future
be measure Of Cancellation and peace o.
leave the people free from apprehension 10
E, ture; 40 they can securely devote themselves
important !stors which are destined TO miA
Territory yTeat, prosperous eod happy s,s'e
FRED. p. Srasfo',
Secretary aud Acting Ho'e'
Lecompton, April W 1857.