The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-03-06
The Territorial Lsgislatar..

4nGlScfimllaLe praise ana " wholesale
censure are alike iniudicious. We may
say or do things in a moment of excite
ment, which in cooler hour we would be
first to condemn. But abuse which does
not stop short of utter condemnation, or
applause which has no bound. will hardly
mislead men, even when blinded partially
by feeling, or passion. So we must let
those go who run thus to extremes over
the last Legislature, and talk with Others
less violent or ultra.
Il is easy to find fault-nothing so easy.
It is to forget the difficulties which beset
men, and herald their short comings.
But Just. or even well disposed minds
viii gladly put aside the croaker, and as
gladly consider whatever should help
them to form a correct judgment. In
this spirit, let us speak of our last Legis-
lature.
/. Its position was novel, and its men,
bers were inexperienced. They had To
cut their way over an untrodden field to
them.
That they should lose their path some
times, or stray out of true line was to
be expected. That they did so occasion
ally, they themselves would be the first
to admit. But the wonder with Us is,
not that they committed SO many, but so
few blunders. Had the session lasted a
fortnight longer, they would have done
up their work well. Experience had
taught them the right way, and that they
would have trod.
2. These natural difficulties were great
ly increased, because the Legislature had
the work of three years to accomplish in
forty days. Bear in mind that our citi-
zens have had no opportunity in all this
time, to secure their rights. Bear in mind,
also, that every member had his hands
full to look after and get bills through
which pertained to localities and individ-
uals, whom he represented. The press
of necessary local and private business
was very large, and gave members little
leisure for deliberation, or that cool sys-
tematic conduct which secures prompt
ness and safe legislation.
The error committed by the members,
was in not passing at once few safe gen.
eral laws which would enable towns,
cities, townships, counties &C., to do what
ever properly belongs to them. A Legis-
lature need have nothing TO do, and should
have nothing to do, with these matters
1t saves deal of time, cuts off one seri-
Gus source of corruption, stops an infinite
variety of wrangling, and allows mem.
bers to attend to the business Of the State
or Territory as it should be attended to
well and promptly. 1t needs only system
to avoid all the errors committed in g
certain way, by the Legislature. We
trust this system will be secured hereaf-
ter.
One other point remains, and that con
Germs the people, as well as the integrit,
and character of the Territory. The bes
of revolutions bring with them demoral
izing tendencies. We have not escaped
in Kansas. The long and hard struggle
we have had, the severe sufferings, th'
frauds and speculations, so rife among us
the sharp personal conflicts and hard party
strife-these and other causes have pro
duced laxness of action and loosenes'
of principle which must be overcome a:
speedily as we can. Our best men should
be selected for Office. The people, (every
voter among them, should eschew mere
excitement, all hurry and party excess
and see to it, that their voice goes direct
ly and certainly for honest legislation. Ii
this way, and by these means, the de
moralizing effects of revolution will speed
lily disappear, the corruption which threat
en- to eat.into the body polite be cut on
or cured, and the future of our Territor!
made glorious by free and virtuous peo
pie and a government and laws alike hu
manitarian and just.-Leareas0orth Times