White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1858-01-28

The affairs Of Kansas have for long
time attracted much Of the attention ofsil
portions Of the American Union; and il
is sincerely to be hoped that the troubles
which have heretofore existed among the
people Of the Territory. are about to bs
peaceably adjusted. After the long con.
tiuued disturbance this will be most
gratifying result and win give new i'm.
petus to the prosperity and settlement Of
the country. Settled. as this Territory
has been, by people from every portion Of
the older States, many Of whom enter
tanned extreme views on the question of
domestic slavery, ii could hardly be ex-
pected that collision would not occur, and
vet spirit Of tolerance such as has
characterized the people OF our sister
Territory. Nebraska. which was organic
ed under the same law. and where slavery
exists to almost. if not qnite as great an
extent as it does here. might have prevent
ell it. There all questions Of public policy
have been determined by resort to the
ballot box, and al parties have yielded
ready acquiescence to such decision.-
Coercive measures nave never been resort
Ell to there; and whenever frauds have
been attempted at the elections application
has been made to the proper tribunals
for correction, and in no instance. as far
as nv information extends, without ind
ing redress. On these subjects the con.
duet of the people Of Nebraska Territory
is worthy Of all commentator. and l
sincerely hope that the great mass Of the
people Of this Territory will follow their
example.
1t is much to be regretted that the
Federal government has been compelled
to interfere in your territorial affairs, and
I trust that snch interference will not be
REQUIRED in the failure. A full and fair
expression of the wishes of the people.
by means Of the ballot-box, viii settle all
these political differences. and during the
time that may have control Of. the
Executive authority here. nothing shall
he left undone to afford them an oppor.
unity to give such expression.
Much Of the future peace and prosperity
of this Territory depends on your legis-
lative action: and l hope that you viii
be governed by calm Judgment and wise
counsels. Hasty or partisan Legislation
should be by all means avoided;t he patri.
otto statesman will ALWAYS be governed
nv considerations of public policy, keep.
ing in view the necessities of the whole
people, so as to protect and benefit the
meritorious, and at the same time check
and punish the vicious.
Before engaging in the business Of
legislation, however. / will direct your
attention to the Constitution recently
framed by a Convention sitting in this
place. The second section of the schedule
reads as follows:
SEC. 2. All laws now in force in the
Territory Of Kansas. which are not repug-
nant to this Constitution. shall continue
and be of force Rtil altered, amended.
or repealed by Legislature assembled
under the provisions ofthis Constitution.
This was signed on the 7th day of
November. 1857, and nnder its provisions
submitted to the people on the 2lst day
Of December last 1t was again submitted
to vote Of the people by an act Of the
Legislature. approved Dec. II, 1857,
only one of the political parties voting at
time on these propositions. and the
others abssnting themselves from the
polls. In this condition it will probably
be sent to Congress. and it may be as
well for you to delay any important
legislation until yon can ascertain what
action Congress will take in the premises:
for should Kansas be admitted rs one of
the States Of the Union. under this
Constitution, it would have the effect to
nullify all yonr acts anil revive such as
you may have repealed. IL. however.
you shall conclude to disregard this
possible state Of affairs. It then becomes
nv duty to direct yonr attention to some
matters on which legislative action may
be necessary.
The criminal laws Of the Territory,
owing to the disturbed state of the coun.
try. are at present the most important
Every offence against the laws should be
followed by speedy punishment. AMI this
should be commensurate with the degree
of crime committed. That philanthropy
which seeks to pardon criminals for the
purpose Of reforming them. will never
reduce their number or protect society
from their deprelatious; but sure and
adequate punishment is well calculated
to deter others frsm like prastices. 1t is
impossible, however. to enforce the
criminal laws without prisons in which
to confne the criminals. Your earliest
efforts. therefore. should be directed to
the collection Of revenue and the erection
of prisons.
have been informed that an organize
ton exists in this Territory similar to
what is said to be the DANTE organization
among the Mormons. 1t is asserted that
the members are bound by the most SOL
emn oaths and obligations to resist the
laws, take the lives Of their fellow citi-
zens, or commit any other act Of violence
they may be directed to do by their
leaders. am unwilling TO beliese thaE
snch IN organization could ever End an
existence in civilized community; but
the bare possibility Of iss existence, and
the fact that assassinstions have recently
been ted.-giving q color Of truth
to the statement-should induce you to
give it your most serious attention. By
allowing it 70 60 without notice there is
great danger that counter organisations
may be started, and thus the whole