Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1857-01-23
THE VERMONT APPROPRIATION FOE
KANSAS

How Is IT lit Is stated that Governor Fletcher has
sent three commissioners 90 Kansas TO supcrnteuu thc
disbursement Of the @2O,00O fund II so, 1t would seem
that the State has got to bleod' for Kansas any way
North Star.
The Star is not to be blamed for this state
ment. Various newspapers have made the
same statement. founded upon imperfect infor-
nation derived from Kansas. The facts sim
ply arc that Governor Fletcher requested sun
dry acquaintance in Kansas to communicate
to him any information within their power as
to the condition of the people and the ncccs-
sity of relief lie also correspondent with
Gov Robinson, and we have reason to be-
lieve with Gov. Geary also, and with the Of
ficers of aid committees, who were supposed
to have knowledge upon the subject This
is all no commissioners were appointed, and
no expense incurred beyond postage. The
result is that the Governor has learned that
charity is not required, the voluntary offer
ings Of a generous people having been enough
to meet the present necessities of the case
Money for investment in lands mills, church.
es, schools. &c, is wanted, and it is hoped
that capitalists will find sufficient induccment
to furnish it, on the score of reimbursement,
with great profit, in the rapidly increasing
value of real estate But the act of Vermont
contemplated charity opiy--nothing for spec
ulation or investment and Of course it is
now definitely settled that, unless a new oxi-
gency shall arise, which is anticipated by no.
body, not a dollar will be drawn from the
treasury of Vermont This, we have author
ity to say, is the exact state of the case; or,
to answer the question of the Star, this is
exactly show it is. The star, Patriot, Ar-
gus, Sentinel, and Age will perhaps regret the
loss of raw material for editorial dcnWncia-
tons Of the Governor and the Republican
party, but we have thy charity to believe that
even these will rejoice that the money of the
people is safe, that the State has won world
wide honor for humanity and sagacity, and
that the Governor has passed this ordeal with
the well-deserved reputation of both fidelity
and prudence.
The act Of Vermont is really one of the
best things ever done by Vermont Legisla-
turc Based upon the broad and noble
ground of humanity, and applicable to every
case of real suffering in Kansas, irrespective
of birthplace, sex, color or political predilec-
tions of the persons to be relievod--if that
act had been executed, as it would have been
if executed at all, in strict regard to the prin-
ciplo upon which it was passed, even the Hot
spurs of the South would have been forced
to award to Vermont the highest post of hon
or. At the same time, too, it was the most
perfect and effective instrument for the relief
of the Free State men Of Kansas that could
possibly have been devised: for, from the mo-
ment that ample means of relief were placed
in the hands of the Governor, the Border
Ruffians of Missouri saw that every attempt
of theirs to drive out or starve out the Free
State men would be in vain. Finally and for
tunately, the result shows that the act wa,
really as prudent as it was honorable and eff
foctive; though we do not suppose that pru
dence was virtue particularly regarded by
the Legislature. They were prompted rather
by the sentiments Of patriotism and humani-
ty, which in any event would have been hon
ored by their constituents and by all men ev
erywhere whose good opinion would be wortl
having.