The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-10-26
GOV DEypER 10 THE PEOPLE or KANSAS
TERRITORY

FkLLow-cIriz The announcement Of my resigna
tion OF the Office OF governor having induced many OF the
good people Of the Territory TO express their regrets that
should do So and having gone Ear express
misgiyngs TO The future IL may be proper for me-
when about 10 sever my official connexions with you for
ever, 10 address 10 you few words at parting.
IL Is true that ut the time took charge Of this oc
great confusion existed in the Territory and chat ever
thing is quiet but IL Is equally true that tie con-
nuance of peace aud quiet depends henceforward mon
the people themselves than the executive Of the
Territory.
In every county the people have superabundance Of
civil officers elected by themselves and election ba
just been held all the Territory for representative
in the legislative assembly without the occurrence Of
any disturbance and without the intervention Of tba
federal authorities The necessity for such Intervention
is stigma the American people who boast Of their
voluntary obedience to the laws and their ability gov
ern themselves.
u il to be presumed that the experiments made an.
sufficient TO satisfy the people that political objects can
not be attained by absenting themselves from the polls
the day of eectionhat peace and quiet better than
intestine bros and civil warthat an honest and faith
ful administration Of the civil law is better than military
rule and that there Is much greater degree OF respon
biity attaching to legally constituted authorities than to
sell, constituted leaders.
1t really makes but little difference who may he the
representative of the general government here II the
people true to themselves and true to American In.
situations.
10 obey the Lws--to select good men to FIJI the To-
cal offices, and TO hold their officers to strict aocount
continued peace and prosperity TO the Territory.
Every citizen ought to make IL part of his bushes,
to that offenders against the laws meet with sure
and speedy punishment that officers discharge their
duties faithfully, aud that each and every one Of his
neghbors is protected in all his rights civil political
and religious. ~
There is reasonable man who will claim such rights
for himself and not be willing to concede the same to
his neighboB
The duties of the governor of Territory are orinari
ly few and simple Now that this Territory Is thor
oughly organized, all he has to do Is To SEQ that the
laws properly administered and TO this end he must
commission the officers elected suspend or remove such
the laws direct that the peace is preserved when
the local officers the shers aud constables are unable
to do assist the legislative assembly in enactnr
laws and also to do few other acts OF executive
character All these are plain and simple duties and
such as can be performed by any Of common sense
Under our system of government the chief response
blty rests on the people themselves, and it behooves
them To exercise towards each other spirit OF tolerance
and lraternal feeling.
Free intercourse and interchange of sentiments will re-
many false impressions entertained Of each other BY
persons coming from different sections Of our common
country and better state of feeling will hereafter pre-.
vail.
During the time have been with yon have earnest.
ly endeavored to discharge tho duties devoving on me
faithfully honestly and impartially; and have done
this in such to with the appreciation of
the good people of the Territory, cannot but feel graft
fed and it may be proper for to state that in all
have done have received the most cordial approval from
President Buchanan and his cabinet.
In conclusion permit to warn you against the
tricks and Vaccinations of designing demagogues who
prefer turmoil and strife TO peace and prosperity for is
only at such times that they bring themselves into
notice.
In this Territory there has been a mania for making
State constitutions and effort after effort has been made
to organize State government before any Of the
sary preparations have been made to meet its response
biltics Without dollar in the treasury with but lit
tie taxable property, without any wellregulaed system
for collecting revenue end considerable territorial debt
tine organization of State government at this time
must prove an onerous burden to the people.
That these efforts will be renewed have no doubt
and whether these burdens and responsibilities shall be
summed before you prepared for them my feow-cit
zens, and before you know well the whom you will
have to ntrust with your dearest rights and Interests
will remain for yourself to determine.
Sincerely hoping that the future 81 Kansas may be
prosperous and happy the past has been boserou and
Troublesome remain, my felow-ctzcns, your obedien
servant, J. w. DENVER
IGcoMproN X. t. October Q, 1858