The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1858-11-17
Governor Denver's Farewell Address
. to the People of Kansas Territory.

Fellow CITIZENs:-The announce.
fmeht Of my resignation of The Office of
Governor having induced, many of the
Igood people of the Territeryeto express
their, regrets that / shonld do so, and
some having gone SO far as to express
misgivings as to the future, it may be
proper for me, when about to sever my
official connections with you forever to
address to you few words al. parting
1t is true 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 con-
tinuance of peace and quiet, depends,
henceforward,. more on the people them
selves than on the EXECUTIVE of the Ter
ritory. In. every county the people have
asuper- er-abundance Of civil officers, elected
by themselves, and an election has just
been held all over, the territory, for Re-
presentatives in the Legislative Assembly,,
without the occurrence of any disturbance
and without the Intervention cf the Fed
eral authorities. The necessity for such
intervention is, a stigma on, the American
people, who boast of their voluntary obe
fdience to he1aws and their ability to gov
ern themselves 1t is to be presumed
that the experiments made are sufficient
to satisfy the people that political objects
cannot be attained by absenting them
selves from the polls on the day of elec-
tion-that peace and quiet are better
! than intestine broils and civil war-that
an honest and faithful administration of
the civil law is better than military rule,
| and that there is much greater degree
Of responsibility attached to legally-con-
stituted authorities than to self-constitu-
ted leaders, It really makes but little diff
4 ference who may he the representative of
the general government here, if the people
are true to themselves and true to Ameri-
cun institutions. To obey the iaws-to
select good men to fill the local Offices,
and to hold their officers to strict ac-
countabilty, is all that is necessary for
the people to do to give continued peace
and prosperity to the territory. Every
citizen ou ght to make it a part of his busi-
ness to see that offenders against the laws
meet with sure and speedy punis shmen,
+ tbL-that officers discharge their duties faith
fully, and that each and every one Of. bis
fneighbors is protected in all his rights
CIVIL political and religious. There is nc
reasonable man who will claim such rights
3ifor himself and not be willing TO conccde
the same to his neighbors. The duties o.
the Governor Of d Territory ere ordinari
Fly few and simple Now that this Terri
ttory is thoroughly organized, all he ha:
Ito do is to sec that she laws are properlj
I administered, and to this end he must com
mission the officers elected, suspend or re-
inmoye such as the laws direct, see that The
.lheaees is preserved when tile local officer.
? the Sheritfs and cnnstab!cs IN
able to do so, assist. the Legislative AS
. sembiy in enactibg laws, and also to do 9
few other acts of an executive character
. All these are plain and Simple duties, anc
: such as can be performed by any man O
4 common Sense. Under our system O
government the chief responsibility rests
ION the people themselves and it behoove'
4 them to exercise towards each other {
4 spirit of tolcrence and fraternal feeling
4 Free intercourse aud Interchange of senti
I Iments viii remove any false impression
I entertained Of each other by persons com
ing from different sections Of our commo,
i 1country, and a better state of feeling viii
/ hereafter prevail: During the time hav
: been with you'll have earntstly endeavor
y ed to discharge the duties devolving OF
!, 1me, fdithfully, honestly and impar,ially
I land, if have done this in such u manne
!, , as to meet with the appreciation of tn
sfgood people of the Territory, canno
f1but feel gratided; and it may be p-ope
,slfor me to state that in all 1oihave done
q have received the most cordial approva
/, from President Buchanan and his Cabinet
, In conclusion, permit me to warn agains
I! the tricks and Vaccinations of designin
!. idemagoghcs,i who do prefer turmoil an
= strife to peace and prosperity, for it is on
q ~ at such times thatthcy can bring them
I(Fselves into notice In this Territor
: there has been mania for making Stat
{ Constitutions, and effort after effort ha
noIfbesn made to meet its resp ponsibilities.
Without o dollar in the Treasury, wit
= but little taxable property. without an
i Ewell-regullted system for collecting revt
: nue., and q considerable Territorial deb
\ The organization of Stale Governmen
!, at this time, must prove an enormou
/ burden to the people,. That these'eifor1
! win be renewed, have no doubt; All
3 whether these burdens and responsibilitie
i shaHrbe assumed before you are prepare
;. for them, my fellow citizens, and befoI
), you know we'll tbe men whom you wi
!. then have to intrust with your deare'
. rights and interests III remain for you
! tselyes to determine.sis SiucerelyaohOpin
. that the future iof Kansas may be as pro
n Sperous and happy as the past has bee
81 ,boisterous and troublesome, .i9bis4i.
}. I Iremain,v MY fellDw citizeas,H buh
s1g 10 zoY our obedient Servantn nG esd
d tncm inseslq eli To IT, W.aDENFER.
o. LECoMpToN, KsT.,1 Oetns9, sdS5S.
n af4Y If you would increase the size ar