Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-10-31
GOV. Denver TO the People of Kansas Ter.
ritOrY.

ritOry.
! FKLLoW-CITIzENs The announcement Of my res
! ignaiion of the Office of Governor having induced
many of the good people of the Territory to express
their regrets that should do so, and some having
gone far to express misgvngs as to the future,
/ It may be proper Tor me. when about to sever my
official connexions With you forever to address to
/ you few words at parting.
! Its trae that at the time took charge Of this
Office great confusion existed in the Territory, and
that everything is now quiet but it is equally true
/ that the continuance of peace aud quiet depends,
! heneeforwGrd, more en- the people themselves than
on the executive Of the Territory
In every county the people have supersbund-
anoe of civil officers elected by themselves and an
election has just been held all the Territory for
representstiVes in the legislative assembly without
the occurrence of any disturbance, and without the
intervention Of the federal authorities The neces-
sitv for such Intervention is stigma the Ameri-
can people who boast Of their voluntary obedience
to the laws aud their ability to govern themselves.
1t is to be presumed that the experiments made
are sufficient to satisfy the people that political OBJ
/ ieeis caunot be attained by abseniing themselves
| from the polls on the day Of elecIioa-that peace
and quiet is better than intestine bros and civil
gsr-that an honest and faithful administration of
the civil law is better than military rule, and that
| there is q much greater degree of responsibility
attaching to legally constituted authorities than to
! self-constited leaders.
It really makes out little difference who may be
the representative OF the general government here
If the people are true to themselves and true to
! American Institutions.
To obey the lsWs-tO select good men to fill the
local Offices and to hold their officers to strict &C
countabihty-s all that is necessary for the people
to do to give continued peace and prosperity to the
| Territory. .-......
Every citizen ought to make Il part of his bust
ness to see that offenders against the laws meet wi
sure aud speedy punishment-hat officers discharge
I H.
of his neghbors is protected in all his rights, civil
political, and religious.
There is no reasonable man who will claim such
rights for himself and not be willing concede the
same TO his nsghbors
The duties of the Governor of Territory are or.
dinarily few and simple. Now that this Territory
is thoroughly organized, all he has to do is TO see
that the laws properly administered, and to this
en- be must commission the officers elected suspend
OF remove such ss the laws direct that the peace
is preserved when the local officers the sherifs and
oonsables are unable to do so assist the legis alive
assembly in enscting laws and also to do few other
acts Of an executive character All these plain
and simple duties, and such can be performed by
any man of common sense.
Under our system Of government the chief respon-
sibility rests on the people themselves, and it be-
hooves Them to exercise towards each other spirit
Of tolerance and frsternsl feeling.
Free intercourse and interchange of sentiments
will remove many false impressions entertained of
each other by persons coming from different sections
of our common country, and better state Of feel
ing will hereafter prevail
During the time have been with you have ear
nesy endesvored to discharge the duties devolving
on me faithfully, honestly, and impartisly; and
if have dsne this in such manner to meet with
the appreciation Of the good people of the Territory
cannot but feel grstied; and it may DE proper for
me to state that mall have done have received
the most cordial approval from President Buchanan
and his cabinet.
In conclusion, permit me to warn you against the
tricks and Vaccinations Of designing demsgogues,
who prefer turmoil and strife peace and prosperiN
ty for it is only at such times that they can bring
themselves into notice.
In this Territory there has been mania for max
ing State constitutions, and effort after effort has
suy Of the necessary preparations have been made
to meet its responsibilities Without dollar in the
treasury, with but little taxable property without
any well regulated system for collecting revenue
and considerable territorial debt the organisation
of State government at this time must pro We an
onsrous burden to the people
That these efforts will be renewed have no doub';
aud whether these burdens and responsibilities shall
be assumed before you are prepared for them, my
fellow citizens and before you know well the
WhomyOuWil hsvets intrust with your dearest rights
and interests will remain for yourselves to deters
mine
Sincerely hoping that the future Of Kansas may
be as prosperous and happy as the past has been |
boisterous and troublesome, / remain, my fellow |
citizens, your Obedisnt servant ]. W. pHHVER.
LHOONFEOH, Z. T., Oct 8, 1858.