The Kanzas news., 1858-01-16

diately raised, and this petty difficulty was
soon elevated to the dignity of stwar be-
tween the Free State and Pro-Slayery par
ties, and at one time threatened to draw
the whole Territory into the quarrel
The difficulty was not at first political one,
but it was seized upon, as pretext for their
acts, by those lawless and restless men who
are never satisfied except when engaged IN
some broil or exciting trouble. The peace
of the country is the last thing such peo-
/ pie desire, and they eagerly seize on every
petty quarrel to disturb it. Such acts are
demoralizlng in their effects on the public
mind, and it behooves every good citizen
to discountenance them, and assist in bring
ing the actors to punishment. To queH
these disturbances, have deemed it neces-
sary to send detachment of United States
troops into the neighborhood, which has
had the effect to restore peace to the COM
munity The rumors of battles and killing
| various persons, with which the country
was rife at the time, have proved to be un-
true; the marauders have confined their
operations to the indiscriminate plunder of
| friends and foes.
The affairs of Kanzas have for a long
| time attracted much of the attention of all
| portions of the American Union; and it is
| sincerely to be hoped that the troubles
which have heretofore existed among the
people of this Territory, are about to be
peaceably adjusted. After the long contin
ued disturbances, this will be most graft
! flying result, and will give new impetus to
the prosperity and settlement of the coun-
| try. Settled as this Territory has been, by
people from every portion of the older
| States, many of whom entertained extreme
views on the question of domestic slavery,
| it could hardly be expected that collisions
would not occur; and yet spirit of toler-
ance such as has characterized the people
of our sister Territory, Nebraska, which
was organized under the same law, and
where slavery exists to almost, if not quite
as great an extent as it does here, might
have prevented it. There, all questions of
public policy have been determined by a
resort to the ballot-box, and all parties have
yielded ready acquiescence to such decis-
ions. COercive measures have never been
resorted to there and whenever frauds
have been attempted at the elections, appli
cation has been made to the proper tribu
mails for correction, and in no instance, as
far as my information extends, without
finding redress. On these subjects the
conduct of the people of Nebraska Terrific
ry is worthy of all commentator, and I
sincerely hope that the great mass of the
people of this Territory will follow their
example.
It is much to be regretted that the Fed
eral Government has been compelled to in
terfere in your Territorial affairs, and /
IL, L.,
quired in the future. A full and fair ex-
preston of the wishes of the people, by
means of the ballot-box, will settle all these
political differences, and during the time
that may have control of the Executive
authority here, nothing shall be left undone
to afford them an opportunity to give such
an expression.
Much of the future peace and prosperity
of this Territory depends on your legisla-
tive action; and 1 hope that you will be
governed by calm judgment and wise coun-
sells. Hasty or partisan legislation should
be by all means avoided; the patriotic
statesman will always be governed by con-
siderations of public policy, keeping 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 1egis-
lation, however, l will direct your atten-
ton to a Constitution recently framed by
Convention sitting in this place. The sec
ond section of the schedule reads as follows
oSt,c. 2. All laws now of force in the Terrific
~ of Ka MAS, which are repugnant to this Consti-
tntion shail continue and be of force until altered,
amended or repealed by Legislature assembled
under the provisions of this Constitution"
This was signed on the 7th day of No
vember, 1857, and under 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 Leg
islature, approved December II, 1857, on
" one of the political parties voting at a
on these propositions, and the Others
lth ing themselves from the polls. 10
oseht I: 1ition it will probably be sent to
MS Con >ud it may be as well for you to
congress !: portant legislation until you
leiay any ilhl hat action Congress will
axe in the premises, % S.atn on9 NJ iAaI1as M pe
admitted as one of the States ol 5he onloh'
inder this Constitution, ! "ouiu nave !he
fleet to nullify all your ac, "nI qe 'I'Ne
such as you may have repealed. , L. NV I:
ever, you shall conclude to disres Au 'lis
possible state of affairs, it then becom, iy
1uty to direct your attention to some L. '@'
ers on which legislative action may b. I
The criminal laws of the Territory, ow-
ing to the disturbed state of the county,
are at preseut the most important Every
offence against the laws should be followed
BY speedy punishment, and this should be
commensurate with the degree of crime
o.-,r,;tfaJ That philantbroDv which caal-c