The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-02-04
NO. $40.
THE MESSAGE OF GOV. RANDALL.

THE MESSAGE OF GOV. RANDALL.
We are indebted to Governor Randall, of
Wisconsin, for copy of his late message, de.
lvered to the Wisconsin Legislature. 1t il an
able exposition Of the affairs of the State,
abounds in just and forcible views of its true
interests, and the closing part of it, devoted to
the great Question Of the Day, upholds with
yigor and spirit the doctrines of Republication.
The PACIFIC RAILRoAD.-The Pacific Rail-
road Bill reported in the Senate by Senator
GwiD, and likely to be adopted by the House
Committee, provides that the road shall have
its eastern terminus on the Missouri river, be-
tween the mouths of the Kansas and Big Sioux
rivers; that the Government shall advance
500 per mile in bonds for the use of the
company building the road-this sum to be re-
paid by service to the Government in the trans
portation of men and mails after the road is
built A quantity of the public lands on either
side Of the road is also to be appropriated to-
wards its completion and equipment, and Sec
ton provides for the surrender of the entire
road in certain contingencies to the United
States.
DISTRICT BANKs.-A bill has been reported
in the Senate, in reference to banks in the
District of Columbia. The following is q sy-
nopsis of the bill:
"The frat section declares, that after the first
day of April next, it shall not be lawful for any
person or any association whatever, chartered
or unchartered, within this District, directly or
Indirectly, to issue or reissue, or pay out, pass,
exchange, or put in circulation, any bank note,
bill, certificate, or any acknowledgment of in.
debtedness, of any nature, character, or ap-
pearance of bank note and that any person
so doing shall be held to be guilty of high
misdemesner, aud on conviction thereof shall
be fined not less than fifty dollars nor more than
FIVE hundred, and may be imprisoned for
period of not less than three nor more than
twelve months.
"The second section provides, that after the
first of April it is made unlawful to issue notes
or pay out any note of less denomination than
$50, of any bank not located within the District
of Columbia, and subjects all violations by
bankz, &C., to a fine of $500, and by any other
person to fine of $25, one half to the informer
and the other half to the United States.
"The third section makes, in addition to the
civil penalties for violation of the last prece-
ding section, a high misdemeapor, and upon
conviction before the Criminal Court shall be
fined not less than ten nor more than one
hundred dollars"
Eay- A resolution was introduced into the
Pennsylvania Legislature, one day last week,
instructing her Senators to vote against any
Constitution for Kansas until it has received
the unqualified sanction of majority of her
people. This was, of course, bomb.shell
thrown into the party ranks, and much confu-
sion ensued. 1t was finally referred to spe.
cisl committee. The sentiment of Northern
Democrats is uttering itself louder and louder
every day. 1t is not, perhaps, because the party
North cares much for Kansas, but it cares for
local power and office.
Bag We take great pleasure in reprinting
Mr.. Stanton's Appeal to the People of the Uni
ted States. The verdict of majority of them
will be, "Well done, thou good and faithful ser.
want" Mr.. Stanton has acted a manly and ju-
dicious part, and deserves the cordial thanks of
all honorable and high.minded men.-Ed. Era.
TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES.
Having been recently removed from the Office
OF Secretary of Kansas Territory, under circum.
stances which imply severe censure on the part
OF the President, and having had no official in.
formation of my removal, nor any opportunity
for explanation or defence, have deemed it
necessary to present to the People of the United
States brief statement of facts in vindcation
nj my mr. nd in nj Of hor lee
of the act for which have been condemned
The othce in question was not given at my
solicitation. My acceptance of it, under all the
circumstances was proof of strong friendship
Tor the President, and of unbounded confidence
IN the firmness and faithfulHess with which he
would adhere to the line of policy deliberately
agreed upon between him, his whole Cabinet,
and Gov. Walker.
On my arrival in the Territory in April last,
in advance of Gov. Walker, confess that had
an imperfect knowledge of the real condition
of affairs. | supposed the question of Sla-
very to be the only cause of dissension and diff
Guilty among the people; and, in my brief inau.
gural address of the 18th April, l treated this
as the chief subject of difference upon which
submission to the people would be likely to be
demanded. / soon found, however, that this
view was altogether too limited, and did not
reach the true ground of controversy. The
great mass of the inhabitants of the Territory
we're dissatisfied with the local Government,
and earnestly denied the validity of the existing
lava Asserting that the previous Legislatures
had been forced upon them by the fraud and
violence of neighboring people, they proclaim.
ed their determination never to submit to the
enactments of legislative bodies thus believed
TO be Legitimate, and not entitled to obedience.
This was the condition of things when Gov.
Walker came to the Territory in the latter part
OF May. 1t was evident that the just policy of
permitting the people to regulate their own
affairs could not be successfully carried out,
unless they could be inspired with confidence
In the agents of Government through whom this
result was to be effected. If mere minority
OF the people had been thus dissatisfied and
contumacious, they might possibly have been
pronounced factious, and treated as disturbers
OF the peace; but when the dissatisfaction was
general, comprising almost the whole people, q
more respectful consideration was indispensa
oe 10 peaceful adjustment 1t was evident
.na' The policy of repression-a rigid attempt
70 enforce submission, without AN effort at con-
eAaiion-would inevitably result in a renewal
Oh the civil war. With commendable anxiety
70 AVOID this contingency, Gov. Walker resolved
90 among the people, to listen to their COM
PiSihts to give them assurance of fair and
Just administration of the Territorial Govern
1nent; and to induce them, if possible, to aban
eTn their hostility, and to enter upon the peace
Iul out decisive struggle of the ballot-box. 1
was often with the Governor when he addressed
~. Tue people, and gave my best efforts in aid of
ne great purpose of Cancellation.
4, was too late to induce the people to 60 into
.ne June election for delegates to the Conven-
IOn. The registration required by law had
Seen imperfect in all the counties, and had
Oeen wholly omitted in one-half of them; nor