The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-10-23
oomplimen,.ry Supper 10 Gov. p.uv,r,

".
DENVER, as he was about retiring from
the Territory, as a testimonial of respect
for the man, and their confidence in his
administration. The company began to
assemble at an early hour, and soon the
spacious parlors were filed with the sub
stantial men of the city.
At 9 O'Clock they organized by electing
Gen. A. j. IsAcKs, President; c. F. Cur
R1ER, Esq, Vice President; Messrs. L. j.
EAsrIN, G. W. MoLANE, G. W. Brown,
and E. F. FENELoN, Secretaries after
which, they adjourned to the supper table,
which was sumptuously supplied with all
the luxuries of the season. Indeed, we
cannot bestow too high encomiums on the
new tenants of this House, Messrs. SMITH
& Co., for the creditable manner they ac-
quilted themselves on this occasion.
After partaking of the supper, the Pres
ident was called on for speech, and re-
sponded in substance as follows:
thank you, gentlemen, for the homer
you have done me, in selecting me to pre-
side over your meeting. We have met
for the purpose of extending slight tes-
timonial of our hearty and cordial appro-
val of the administration of our late Gov
ernor, JAMES W. DENVER, and to express
our profound regret for the voluntary rup-
ture of his official relation in Kansas
Assemblages of this nature are common
in all countries whose popular applause is
an evidence of official fidelity, or great
personal worth; but few. indeed, if any,
are the instances in which that approval
is more unanimous or deserving, than in
this.
A short time ago he came among US,
comparatively stranger; but now his
name is as familiar as household word,
and his strict integrity, unfinching firm
ness, even-handed justice, high toned pat
riotism, and in short, his enlightened
craftsmanship, is remarked and lauded
throughout the whole country. Sad in
deed, to the eye of one who loves his
country, was the condition of this Terri
tory on his arrival. Kansas had been
shook, and still was shaking from center
to border. Men had almost forgotten that
they were citizens of common, great and
glorious confederacy; that the constitution
was binding upon all, and its blessings
like the dews of Heaven, should fall up
on all alike. This strife had nearly par.
alyzed the Territorial government, arrest
ed the daily vocations, and had penetrated
the sanctity of social life. But how mag.
ic like is the change, and in so short 8
time. Instead of confusion, we have, al
least, an almost complete organization o.
government; instead of charred walls and
smoking roofs, happy homes with smiling
faces have made their appearance, and tn.
plowman's whistle may be heard in lier
of the bugle's blast.
For this radical change, we are indebt
ed to our esteemed guest more than any
living man, and for all these benefits
if our history shall be written with fidel
, ity, his name will live in green immor
, tality.' 1t would be unjust to say he hac
not the sympathy of all patriotic heart
in the land, and untrue to say he was no
: aided by the sober second thought of ou
people.
Gentlemen, it is consoling to know
t that the people have taken the sober, Sc
! cond thought, and to believe that whe
y they shall have finished, as they will i
due time, their proud edifce of Stat
u sovereignty, there will be no abiding plac
s therein for mad fanaticism, sectionalisr
and treason, and that they will dedicat
IL it, not to the North or the South, not t
s. Massachusetts, or Missouri, but to our er
" tire country.
70 At the close of Mr.. Isacks' remarks, tb
u following toast was read, and responde
D to by Gov. Denver:
~ Gov. j. ". Denuer-The honest, impa
8; tial, and fearless Executive. The worth
10 citizen. The accomplished and affab
" gentleman. Kansas has cause to regr,
v only one act of his-his resignation.
if Gov. DENVER, after few predatory II
t, marks, thanking the citizens for the
10 manifestation of regard for him, said, sui
y stantially, that when he came to the TIE
N ritory, little or no respect was paid to tt
) laws; that everything was turned over
the military. The federal troops wei
At employed to settle your difficulties, an
% disorder very generally prevailed.
If The military forces of the United Stat
d should never be called into service again
d Americans. Their legitimate province
1T to resist the aggressions Of foreign en-
d my. Ihave never signed an order to ca
out the military, without the greatest he
be itation. Gradually have withdraw
ID them, and now not single officer or SO
ct dier is employed in defense of, or again
,e the people of Kansas.
10 When 1 came to Kansas, I found neigl
at Dor arrsyed against neighbor, and Il
5 most intense excitement everywhere pr
"a vailing; but, how changed!
a 1t is seldom we see such an assembl
10 as this. see before me some whom
have known for twenty years, and who
I have met in distant portions of Il
country, and whom l have fought face
d face on political questions. And ! 81
a, before me those of different parties
ID Kansas, who have been engaged in dead