The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-01-17

Representatives. ef the 7~rAevy Of kansas: s.5.
The time having arrived wLen under the law. you are
directed fos thc trasAco0 of Legislative basi
ness custom requires that should communicate To you
INV views the condition and wants Of the Territory
Having but recently arrived among YOU il hardly
he expected that should have that exact information In
eation TO the internal affairs the Territory that
longer RESIDENCE would have afforded, but have
enough satisfy that much of tho aninosity and bit
ter feeling existing proceeds more from PERSONAL
hostility than from political confederation These had
their origin Ia the troubles growing out Of the first set
ement the country, anil the vindictve feelings then
engendered among the prominent actors have in many
instances sunk into personal hatred Thus you find the
most bitter feuds existing al the country, which,
when traced back, found 10 have originated in
personal quarrel. The southern part Of tho Territory
m lately cony used about claim quarter section OF
land One with his friends forcibly removed another
from claim and for doing they arrested under
wit issued by the United states udg and to bail
their appearance vt the next term OF the court 10
the charges made against them. A cry of persecution
was Immediately raised and this petty difficulty soon
elevated to the dignity OF war between the free State
and proslsvery parties and at time Threatened to
draw the whole Territory into the quarrel The Difficult
ty at first political one, but it seized upon
as petext ior their acts by those lawlss and restless
men who satisfied except when engaged IN
boil exciting trouble The peace OF the country
the last thing such people desire and they eagerly seize
on every petty quarrel TO disturb it, Such acts de-
moralizng in their effects the public mind and it be-
hoove every good citizen dscosntenancc then and
assist in bringing the actors to punishment To quell
these disturbances have deemed it necessary to send
detachment of United States troops into the ncighbOr
hood which has had the effect to restore peace TO the
community The Of battles and the killing of
various persons with which the country rife at the
time have proved to be untrue the marauders having
confined their operations to the ndiscinate plumber of
friends and foes ca Htsai
The affairs OF Kansas have for long time attracted
much OF the attention Of all portions OF the American
Union and il is sincerely to be hoped that the troubles
nj
Territory about to be peaceably adjusted After the
long continued disturbances this will b. most crafty
ing result and will give impetus to the prosperity
and settlement Of the country Settled this Territory
been by people from every portion Of the older States
many of whom entertained extreme views the ques
ton of domestic slavery it could hardly be expected that
collisions would not occur, and yet spirit of tolerance
such has characterized the people Of sister Terrific
~ Nebraska, which was organized under the law,
and where slavery exists TO almost ii not quite great
extent It does here might have prevented It, There
all questions Of public policy have been determined BY
resort 10 the ballotbox and all parties have yielded
ready acauiescence to such decisions Coercve
have never been esorted to there and whenever frauds
have attempted at the elections application has been
made to the proper tribunals for correction and In no
instance far my information extends without find
ing redress On these subjects the conduct of the people
OF Nebraska Territory is worthy OF all commendaon and
sincerely hope that the great OF the people of this
Territory win follow their example.
1t is much to be regretted that the federal government
has been compelled to interfere IN your territorial AFFAIR."
and that such interference will not be required in
the future full and fair expression Of the wishes OF
the people, by of the alloteox will settle all
these political differences and during the time that may
have control OF the executive authority here nothing
shall be ls undone to afford them opportunity to give
such expression ~ M
Much Of the future peace and prosperity of this Terri
tory depends your legislative action and hope that
YOU will be governed by calm judgment and wise
sells Hasty partisan legisntion should be by all means
avoided the patriotic statesmen will always be governed
Liant nfauv thn
necessities Of the whole people, to protect and bene
DIT the meorous and at the same time check and pun
sh the vicious.
Before engaging in the business legislation however
I will direct your attention to the constitution recently
framed by convention sitting in this place The second
section Of the schedule reads as follows:
Sec O. Gan laws Of force in the Territory Of Kan
ss which are repugnant to this constitution shall
tnue and be Of force until altered amended repealed
by legislature assembled under the provisions OF this
constitution
This was signed the 7th day Of November, 1857
and under its provisions submitted to the people on the
zst day of December last 1t again submitted to
of the people by of the Legislature approved
December H. 1857 only of the political parties voting
at the time these propositions, and the Others absent
ing themselves from the polls In this condition 1t VIII
probably be to Congress- and II may be well for
YOU delay any important legislation until you as
certain what action Congress will take In the premises
for should Kansas BIC admitted one OF the States OF the
Union under this constitution it would have the effect
to nuy all your acts and revive such you may have
repealed IT, however you shall conclude to disregard
this possible state of affairs, then becomes my duty to
direct YOU attention matters which legislative
action may I've necessary.
The criminal laws of the Territory owing to the dis
trbed state Of the country ut present the most i'm
portant Every offence against the laws should be fol
lowed by speedy punishment, and this should bc com
nensurate with the degree of crime committed That phi
anthropy which seeks to pardon criminals for the pur
nose of reforming them will reduce their number
protect society from their depredatons but and
adeanate punishment Is well calculated to deter others
from like practices n il impossible however, to enforce
the criminal laws without prisons in which TO conne the
ormnas Your earliest efforts therefore, should be di
rected TO the collection Of and the erection OF
prisons ~. fr
have been informed that an organization exists IN
this Territory similar to what il said to be the DANTE
gsnzation among the Aormoas. 1t il asserted that the
members are bound by the most solemn Oats and oblga
tons to resist the laws take the lives Of their fellow
or commit any other act Of violence they mag he dTec-
ted by their leaders unwilling to believe that such
Organisation coud find an existence in civilized
community but the bare possibility of its existence and
fact that have recently been pepetrated
giving color of truth to tho statement, should induce
you to give it your most serious attention BY allowing
it go without notice. there great danger that counter
organizations may he started and thus the whole country
be placed ut the mercy OF lawless and irresponsible men
The the prevention and punishment OF eiecuon
frauds passed your late session, ought to be 30 amen
ded TO apply to those who may attempt 70 deter men
from voting by threats personal violence other means
OF intimidation. 1t ought also to provide punishment
for officers of the election who shall fall neglect or refuse
to send up the returns within specified time.
The election law ought also to be amended SO as to re-
lure every peaon to vote ut the precinct which he
residea and in be allowed to vote out of his
own snunicpsi township The number Of election pre-
$3.50 A n F:-A- -