Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-01-08
Kansas Affairs.

Mr.. Denver entered upon his duties as Acting Gov
ernor of the Territory of Kansas on the 2lst instant
when he issued the following address setting forth the
policy he intends to pursue
ADDRESS to the People of Kansas.
Having been appointed by the President of the United
States to the office of Secretary and during the Cover
nors absence Acting Governor of this Territory, it is
proper that should make you brief address, sufficient
to indicate what my future course OF action will be-
The troubles and difficulties with which the people of the
Territory have been involved makes this the more
cessary for it would be unreasonable to expect any one
occupying this position to escape Misrepresentation and
abuse The passions of many have been thoroughly
aroused and long standing difficulties have embitter
ed the feelings of one portion of the community against
another that it has been represented almost mposs
BILE to find any willing to listen to the voice of
This am not prepared to believe. That there some
violent men who have assumed to speak by authority for
the people at large and counsel such must
necessarily if followed lead to bloodshed anarchy and
confusion, have doubt; but it will require more
than bare assertion to satisfy that there is not yet
enough of the conservative element remaining to uphold
and enforce the laws by which alone the lives and pro-
pery of our citizens be protected and the honor of
the country preserved.
1t is the earnest desire of the President that fair o
portuny should be afforded all the people of the Terri
tory at the approaching elections to give full and free
expression OF their opinions and evidence of this
give the following quotations from his instructions to
me, through the Secretary of State, dated December
18th, 1857.
Mr.. Denver here quotes several paragraphs from his
Instructions which were published in the National In
telligencer of the 26th of December.
By these instructions it will be that my duty is
plainly marked out, and, my views these sub
ecs entirely accord with those of the President shall
find no difficulty in obeying them and trust that all
good citizens will assist in preserving the peace of
the Territory, and at the time settle the questions
which perpex them 1t is far easy to do this
through the baotbox than by the sword and in that
Wa can q lcO he
1t is much to be regretted that portion of the peo
pie have resolved not to vote the constitution SUBJ
mtted to-day for, had there been general attendance
at the polls the question of slavery would have been full
ly and definitely settled The American people can nev-
determine political question by absentng themselves
from the polls. Their absence is regarded Indifference
and the majority of votes actually given determines the
result and not the majority that night have been given
1t is asserted by that persons from other States
have nterered in the elections and that frauds have
been peperated by which they have been overpowered
and deprived of their rights. These charges may be
true but, if the evils they complain of will not be
remeded by absenting themselves from the polls Anne
rican citizens preserve their rights by aban
donng the elective franchise and punishment too severe
cannot be inflicted on the who by violence, trick
cry, fraud, would deprive them Of it. There is nc
question connected with Government which ought
not and which cannot be amcably settled by it. 1t is
true that question may be presented in manner OBJ
ectionable to some but that is not good reason fo1
reusing to vote for, if the majority wills it, the diff
Guilty be remedied by presenting the question
in the manner required.
This has been Of the reasons assigned why por
tion of the people will not vote today-that the question
has not been fairly presented Another s that they an
ticpate frauds. | have Gen. Calhoun, the Presi
dent of the Convention to whom the returns to b
made and besides assuring that he has done and will
continue to do all he to have the elections fairly anC
properly conducted has invited myself and the presiding
officers of the two Houses of the Territorial Legislature
to be present at the counting of the vote. If oriy
of the people are dissatisfied with the results of thes
elections, they can soon change them in a peaceabt
manner by a resort to the kallotbox
very stringent law passed at the late session
the Legislature providing for the nicton of pen
atieS persons engaged in election frauds. This ac
meets with my most hearty approval and if it is not ye
sufficiently stringent, will gladly assist in making
more So 1t is not possible to throw too many guard
around this great buwark which is the very foundation
of our free institutions.
cannot close this address without warning the pee
pie against allowing themselves to be drawn into quar-
rels originating in conflicting claims to lands This is
fruitful source of difficulty in all countries and
the present condition of affairs in this Territory design
ing will seek to turn everything of the sort to poll
ca account. Many troubles and the loss of many va
liable lives may be traced to this cause and people shou
cautious about taking sides political grounds in
matters as are of purely personal character.
In the discharge OF my duties will take such steps
will in my judgment, best contribute to carry out tn
views above expressed for the majesty of the laws
and shall be maintained. In these matters | shall e2
pect the cooperation of all good citizens and should
expectations be realized have no fears but that peac
l will be preserved. J. w. DENVER,
Secretary and Acting Governor.
} DECEMBER 21, 1857.